Do Bathroom Lights Need To Be GFCI Protected? (Answered!) -

Lighting in the bathroom is a detailed topic because of the moisture that’s present.

Homeowners don’t want to take risks and end up endangering everyone including themselves. This is why it’s best to ask all of the right questions to figure out what works and what doesn’t. This includes asking, do bathroom lights need to be GFCI protected?

Bathroom lights do not have to be GFCI protected. Most electricians will use robust wiring that’s hidden to make sure the lights are safe, effective, and offer consistent coverage.

It’s important to focus on how the bathroom lights are installed. This matters more due to the amount of stress that is put on them in moist conditions.

This article will look at why bathroom lights don’t have to be GFCI protected at home.

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Reasons Why Bathroom Lights Don’t Have To Be GFCI Protected

1. Limited Power Demands

The reason kitchens tend to have GFCI protected lights has to do with the load that’s put on the electrical circuit.

This makes it important to have some form of protection in place for all power sources there. On the other hand, the bathroom is not going to have those types of demands. Most of the units inside the bathroom will have minimal power requirements.

This includes the bathroom lights.

You can easily set up the lights and feel confident in how they are going to work. This includes using other electrical devices with the same circuit.

Most homeowners are going to use the lights here and there. This means the chances of the lights getting taxed are minimal.

Experts believe there is no underlying requirement to have GFCI protected lights in this part of the house. It is overkill and is not going to add the type of value you’re looking for.

do bathroom lights need to be gfci protected

2. Minimal Usage

One of the reasons bathroom lights don’t have to be GCFI protected comes down to usage.

If you ever pay attention to how bathroom lights are used at home, they are going to be turned on sparingly. This is the nature of using a bathroom inside any property. It is not going to be a high-traffic area nor is it supposed to be.

This is why the electrical circuit is also not going to get taxed the same way as other parts of the house.

This is why usage is not a concern at all.

The GFCI protected lights often do a good job with aggressive and constant usage. This can help manage the electrical load but that won’t be the case in the bathroom.

3. No Power Surges

Power surges tend to be noted as a risk for lights in the home.

While this can apply to any part of the house, it’s not going to be as much of a risk factor with bathroom lights or any other fixture in the bathroom. Instead, most bathroom lights are going to be used here and there.

This means it is easier to set up the lights without GFCI protection.

You will feel confident knowing the power surges won’t zap the lights and cause you to replace them. This alone is a major advantage and it is one of the reasons people don’t invest in GFCI lights for bathrooms.

4. Tested For Safety and Compliance

There are specific building codes in place for the types of lights installed in different rooms.

There are also codes for bathrooms.

The goal is to make sure the outlets are protected and not fully exposed to water. It is also important to place a good bathroom fan to remove pollutants and excess moisture.

However, there is no building code in place for GFCI protected lights when it comes to the bathroom. This is something to take into account as a homeowner when you are trying to spend money on the right fixtures.

Final Thoughts

Do bathroom lights need to be GFCI protected?

Bathroom lights do not need to be GFCI protected. The reason has to do with these lights not having excessive power demands making them less prone to damage over the long haul.

The best course of action is to continue to maintain the bathroom lights, change the bulbs, and observe how they do in moist conditions. Most lights are going to do well in these conditions even without GFCI protection.

You can use those types of lights in other parts of the house.

GFCI protected lights are not written in the building code for a reason. They are not needed in the bathroom and will not offer tangible advantages over traditional lighting options.

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