Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - Need 'GFCI' lightswitch in shower room
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Chrisatunc
04-14-05, 12:43 PM
Howdy-
My small shower room only has a light; it needs a light/fan combo. The books I've read recommended that a fan above a shower have some sort of GFCI protection involved with it. From here on out, please pardon my loose use of 'GFCI' :-)
I'm familiar with GFCI outlets but not lightswitches. I've seen GFCI protection at the box, too (instead of at the outlet).
1) How do I tell if the existing overhead light circuit is GFCI protected, and/or
2) If it's NOT set up as GFCI, what device should I use to do this?
-Chris
My small shower room only has a light; it needs a light/fan combo. The books I've read recommended that a fan above a shower have some sort of GFCI protection involved with it. From here on out, please pardon my loose use of 'GFCI' :-)
I'm familiar with GFCI outlets but not lightswitches. I've seen GFCI protection at the box, too (instead of at the outlet).
1) How do I tell if the existing overhead light circuit is GFCI protected, and/or
2) If it's NOT set up as GFCI, what device should I use to do this?
-Chris
John Nelson
04-14-05, 01:23 PM
There are no real GFCI switches. Either install a GFCI breaker, or put a GFCI receptacle upstream from the switch.
If you really want to tell if the light is already GFCI protected, and if there is a grounding wire in the box, then just temporarily replace the light with a receptacle, and use an outlet tester.
If you really want to tell if the light is already GFCI protected, and if there is a grounding wire in the box, then just temporarily replace the light with a receptacle, and use an outlet tester.
pcboss
04-15-05, 03:46 PM
To test to see if it is GFI protected try tripping the GFI. If the light goes out it is protected.
Is the location over the footprint of the shower or outside of the footprint?
Is the location over the footprint of the shower or outside of the footprint?
Chrisatunc
04-15-05, 08:51 PM
It's directly above the shower curtain rod, in the middle of the room. Currently this space is occupied by a flourescent light, which I intend to replace with a light/fan combo.
What tester would I use to test the circuit? I saw a bunch of different kind at Sear's tonight.
What tester would I use to test the circuit? I saw a bunch of different kind at Sear's tonight.
John Nelson
04-16-05, 01:32 PM
There are many testers, and most can do multiple things, so it depends on what you want to test for. If we're still talking about testing for ground-fault protection, and if you're going to follow my earlier suggestion to temporarily install a receptacle, then a simple $8 outlet tester will do. It plugs into a receptacle, and has three lights and a button. The button is the GFCI tester. But be aware that if the tester does show that you have GFCI protection, you'll then need to go on an Easter egg hunt thoughout your house to find the GFCI.
If there is already a GFCI receptacle in the area (or even not in the area), then you can do what pcboss suggested and use the GFCI receptacle itself as the tester.
If there is already a GFCI receptacle in the area (or even not in the area), then you can do what pcboss suggested and use the GFCI receptacle itself as the tester.