The National Electrical Code (NEC) sets specific requirements for electrical installations in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and wet environments that need specific protections in residential settings. Bathrooms have high power demands due to appliances like hair dryers and curling irons, which, in addition to water, make it more challenging to plan for outlets. This article highlights key provisions from the 2023 NEC regarding bathroom circuits.

Key requirements for bathroom outlets

GFCI protection

• All bathroom receptacles must have GFCI protection to prevent electric shocks in wet areas, including those near sinks, showers, and bathtubs.
• GFCI protection can be provided through GFCI receptacles or circuit breakers.

AFCI protection

• Bathroom outlets are excluded from AFCI protection as AFCI breakers trip in bathroom environments.

Dedicated circuits

• A minimum of one 20-amp branch dedicated circuit is required to supply bathroom receptacles within 3 feet of the outside edge of each sink basin.
• Bathroom receptacles may be served by a single 20-amp circuit provided it serves no other areas and the bathroom does not include heaters. Additional circuits may be necessary for bathrooms with heating appliances to meet the load requirements.
• Additional receptacles not serving countertops or work surfaces may now be supplied by 15- or 20-amp branch circuits (Since NEC 2020). Previously, it was unclear if 15-amp circuits were permitted for receptacles not tied to countertop or sink areas.
• A single receptacle can serve both basins if placed in a double bowl sink.
• This 20-amp circuit must serve only the bathroom it powers.
• All 15- and 20-ampere receptacles must be tamper-resistant.

Lighting and ventilation circuits

• Bathrooms must have a circuit for lighting and ventilation fans.
• A 15-amp circuit is acceptable if it serves only lighting, but if a vent fan is included, the circuit must be 20 amps.
• If load calculations permit, exhaust fans may share a circuit with lighting, but GFCI protection is required for fans near showers or bathtubs.
• Vent fans with built-in heaters require a separate 20-amp branch circuit each, in addition to the general lighting circuit.
• Bathrooms must have at least one ceiling-mounted light fixture controlled by a wall switch. This fixture may also combine with a vent fan unit for dual functionality.
• Fixtures located within 3 feet horizontally and 8 feet vertically from the edge of a bathtub or shower must be rated for damp locations. Fixtures subject to direct shower spray must be rated for wet locations. Moisture-resistant fixtures, such as sealed globes, are recommended.

Switch placement and grounding

• All wall switches must be connected to the system's grounding wires.
• Switches must be installed outside the confines of tubs and showers to reduce the risk of electrical shock.

NEC Requirements for Laundry Room Circuits

• Laundry rooms must have at least one 20-amp circuit exclusively serving washing machines and gas dryers to accommodate their power draw.
• Electric dryers require a dedicated 30-amp, 240-volt circuit with four conductors to handle their high load.
• Lighting circuits in laundry rooms must separated and not connected to the 20-amp laundry circuit to prevent overloads. This ensures that lighting remains operational even if an appliance trips the laundry circuit.
• Whirpools and hot tubs need a dedicated circuit of 30 amps (20 A for smaller models) with moisture-resistant wiring like THHN in conduit.
• All receptacles in laundry rooms must have GFCI protection.

Cable Options for Bathrooms and Laundry Rooms

• NM-B cables are suitable for general wiring in dry areas of bathrooms and laundry rooms, such as circuits powering ceiling lights or outlets not exposed to moisture. They have a required ground wire. However, they should not be used in wet areas like bathtubs, showers, or washing machines.
• THHN/THWN Wires are used in wet or damp environments when routed through conduits. This includes a light fixture on the wall where the shower is located and wiring for a washing machine or a bathtub.
• Flexible conduits are used with THHN additional protection from moisture.

Summary of NEC 2023 Updates

Here is everything that was updated for bathrooms in the 2023 NEC:

Bathrooms

• Expanded GFCI protection is now required for all outlets, regardless of their proximity to sinks or water sources.
• Damp or wet-rated fixtures are now required near bathtubs and showers.
• Outlets now must be placed on walls, partitions, or sink cabinets but not directly behind sinks to reduce water exposure risks.

Laundry rooms

• Washing machines and gas dryers now must have their own 20-amp circuit, and electric dryers require a separate 30-amp, 240-volt circuit.
• GFCI protection is now mandatory for all receptacles in laundry rooms.