Lights & GFCI Outlets

[thejnicki]

What does it mean when you test the GFCI outlets and the lights go out in that particular room..

1) I hit the test button in the bathroom and the fan/light go out..
2) I hit the test button in the kitchen and the oven and overhead lights go out..

[Harvey Gordon]

Those items are protected by the GFIC?

Not sure I understand what you are getting at.

[thejnicki]

Why would the lights and the oven go out when you push the test button on the GFCI??

[David A. Andersen]

Lights and fans above bathtub sunshowers are required to be GFCI protected.
Often this circuit is separate from the counter top circuits and is a GFCI device (without the plug outlet, like a Whirlpool tub GFCI).
One concern with this type of application is that the lights go off and locating the GFCI device to reset may become difficult.
It is difficult, if not impossible without ripping out the wall to rewire a GFCI circuit to remove lighting circuits from the countertop. I recommend a battery backup power failure nightlight type device if this becomes an issue.

[thejnicki]

Ok, What about the oven, I havent seen the oven turn off when I test the GFCI...

[Ian Gills]

If the oven is linked to the load on a GFCI receptacle then it will go off when you test the GFCI receptacle. This is how one GFCI receptacle can protect the whole circuit. I am sure it is wrong. Surely an oven appliance should be on its own circuit?

And the receptacle, lights and oven all on one circuit! Wow, that is weird. I worry about having one room in my house where one receptacle has been put on the same circuit at the light, which I am sure is not right. Perhaps someone could clarify if this is also OK for me?

I trust we are talking about GFCI receptacles here and not GFCI-protected circuits on the main panel? But even so, oven, receptacles and lights on one breaker? Very strange.

My neighbor has a big GFCI flashing light thingy that protects his entire panel. I trust we are not talking about these also?

[thejnicki]

Ian, I am talking about GFCI recepticles in the house..

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by dandersen

Lights and fans above bathtub sunshowers are required to be GFCI protected.

Only receptacle outlets are required to be GFCI protected, however, there is nothing prohibiting additional outlets (such as lighting outlets) from being protected.

[Ian Gills]

But all these devices on the load of a single GFCI receptacle on a single circuit? An oven? The lights? Surely this CANNOT be the correct thing to do.

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by Ian Gills

But all these devices on the load of a single GFCI receptacle on a single circuit? An oven? The lights? Surely this CANNOT be the correct thing to do.

Most likely not. Especially considering that an oven is generally on a 240v circuit.

[thejnicki]

The oven was on a 120 volt circuit, and was gas..

[Ian Gills]

Oh, a gas oven. Then is it OK to have lights and receptacles on one circuit? I have one room in my house like this (one receptacle, one light).

This thread is making me extremely tempted to rewire my entire house on one circuit linked to a single GFCI 100 amp main breaker. We need someone to explain the limits of individual circuits.

[Greg Fretwell]

210.52(B)(2) ex2 specifically allows the light and igniter on a gas range/oven to be on kitchen a small appliance circuit so that one is OK. The bath depends on whether another bathroom goes off when you trip this one. If so it is wrong. All the equipment in ONE bathroom can be on the same circuit even on the GFCI. That is a bad design decision but code legal.

[brepanshek]

Jeffery you stated..Only receptacle outlets are required to be GFCI protected, however, there is nothing prohibiting additional outlets (such as lighting outlets) from being protected.

Than what your saying is that it ok to have a light on the same curcuit as the receptacle? I thought it wasn't correct because if the outlet trips the light goes out, and your in the dark (safety concern) Give me your thoughts, do I call it out or not?

[Jeffrey R. Pope]

Originally Posted by brepanshek

Than what your saying is that it ok to have a light on the same curcuit as the receptacle?

As Greg stated, if it's a single-bathroom circuit, it's acceptable although a poor design.

If more than one bathroom is supplied by the circuit, the receptacle outlets must be on their own circuit.

Here's the code section

210.11 (3) Bathroom Branch Circuits. In addition to the number of branch circuits required by other parts of this section, at least one 20-ampere branch circuit shall be provided to supply the bathroom receptacle outlet(s). Such circuits shall have no other outlets.

Exception: Where the 20-ampere circuit supplies a single bathroom, outlets for other equipment within the same bathroom shall be permitted to be supplied in accordance with 210.23(A).