National Electrical Code

Myth Busting for Bathrooms

April 22, 2016

Interpreting the intent of the National Electrical Code

All references are based on the 2014 edition of the NEC.

This may come as a surprise to some electricians, but the receptacles required to be installed next to the bathroom sink in dwelling units are not required to be on a 20A circuit. I often see this rule misquoted and misapplied. So let’s take a closer look at the wording in the NEC so we can figure this out.

Section 210.52(D) requires at least one 125V, 15A or 20A receptacle outlet to be installed within 3 ft of the outside edge of each bathroom sink. Therefore, a receptacle outlet is definitely needed near the sink.

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Section 210.11(C)(3) states, “at least one 120V, 20A branch circuit shall be provided to supply a bathroom receptacle outlet(s).” However, this requirement does not state that this required 20A branch circuit must supply the receptacle outlet next to the sink. It could conceivably supply a receptacle located anywhere in the bathroom. Unlike Sec. 210.11(C)(1), which specifies the 20A circuit for the small appliance receptacles “specified by 210.52(B)” and Sec. 210.11(C)(2) which specifies the 20A circuit for the laundry receptacles “required by 210.52(F)”, Sec. 210.11(C)(3) simply does not specify that the required 20A circuit must supply the bathroom receptacles required by Sec. 210.52(D).

For example, some bathrooms may have a cord- and plug-connected sewage ejector pump or perhaps an instant hot water heater. In this case, you could install a receptacle for the sewage pump or the mini water heater on a 120V, 20A circuit and meet the requirement in Sec. 210.11(C)(3). The bathroom would then have the required 20A circuit supplying a 15A or 20A receptacle outlet. The receptacle outlet installed next to the sink could then be installed on a 15A circuit along with the lights.

Another possible interpretation could be that even if a dwelling had several bathrooms, only one bathroom receptacle outlet is required to be supplied by this 20A circuit. All of the other bathroom receptacles could be on a 15A lighting circuit, since the wording in Sec. 210.11(C)(3) literally says a 20A circuit must be “provided to supply a bathroom receptacle outlet(s)” rather than stating “provided to supply each bathroom receptacle outlet specified by Sec. 210.52(D).”

Imagine wiring a 100-unit apartment building. You could save lots money on labor, wire, and circuit breakers if you did not need to install another 20A circuit for each bathroom.

But is this really the intent of the Code? You may want to check with your AHJ for his or her interpretation.

About the Author

Russ LeBlanc | Owner

Russ started in the electrical trade as an apprentice in 1985. He worked his way up to become a Journeyman Electrician and then eventually became a Master Electrician and Licensed Construction Supervisor. In 1999 Russ become an Electrical Instructor for The Peterson School of Engineering in Massachusetts where he developed his passion for teaching, and quickly became Department Head of Electrical Instruction. Russ has taught thousands of apprentices, electricians, engineers, inspectors, and other electrical professionals during his career as an instructor. He continues to provide electrical professionals with Electrical Code seminars, Arc-Flash Awareness training seminars and educational material through his LeBlanc Consulting Services in North Reading, MA whose specialty is educating electricians. He has been an active member of the NFPA Electrical Section and has authored hundreds of National Electrical Code proposals and comments which have become Code rules to improve the safety for the electrical industry. Russ is also an IAEI certified Electrical Inspector.

Please visit www.russleblanc.net for more information.