Bedroom circuit

[Mike Honcho]

What's the norm nowadays as far as bedroom outlet circuit size? 15 or 20? Thanks in advance.

 

[Lassen Forge]

20 for outlet circuits. Haven't seen 15 on an outlet circuit in decades... still sometimes on a single overhead lighting circuit, but even then it's usually 20 to cover for ceiling fans, etc.

 

[rlitman]

20 for outlet circuits. Haven't seen 15 on an outlet circuit in decades... still sometimes on a single overhead lighting circuit, but even then it's usually 20 to cover for ceiling fans, etc.

20A of lighting is a LOT of lighting in the LED era. Fans really don't use all that much power. Also, many LED and hi-hat lighting boxes are a devil to wire in 12 gauge.

 

[Terry D]

15 amp. There are some jurisdiction's that require 20 amp on receptacles and only allow 15 amp on lighting. I personally only install 20 amp circuits where I have to. There is nothing wrong with the bedroom receptacles and lighting on a 15 amp circuit. Just make sure you run enough 15 amp circuits. #12 can be a pain in the *** to work with.

 

[Norcal]

Minimum under the NEC is 15A in bedrooms, my personal preference is 20A receptacle circuits and 15A lighting circuits but with AFCI requirements that can be expensive, but codes are just a minimum standard, if someone is willing to pay for code plus all the better.

 

[Mike Honcho]

Thanks all for the input, 20 amp it is.

If it is it a 20 amp circuit, does a portable a/c still require it's own dedicated circuit?

 

[Terry D]

Thanks all for the input, 20 amp it is.

If it is it a 20 amp circuit, does a portable a/c still require it's own dedicated circuit?

Yes

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[Mike Honcho]

Yes

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Thanks!

 

[exranger06]

A/C unit only needs its own circuit if it uses 50% or more of the branch circuit. So if you have a 20A circuit for the bedroom, and the A/C unit draws over 10A, it needs its own dedicated circuit. If it draws less than 10A, you can put it on the general use receptacle circuit. NEC 440.62(B) and (C).

 

[Jim greengo]

15a circuit is plenty for a bedroom.

 

[Terry D]

If you are wiring or rewiring this bedroom, and have the space in the panel. Run a dedicated circuit for the A/C. just my own opinion.

 

[yeldogt]

I remember back in the 70's when my parent built a house and they needed 20's in the dining room. Using 12 on complex lighting circuits w/ dimmers ... is such a pain.

I'm using as much 14 as possible due to the difficult (tight) conditions. ... when you think about it .... if the house is built with AC. The loads are low and dropping ... everything uses less power

 

[AntonLargiader]

The loads are low and dropping ... everything uses less power

And we tend to run more circuits, so there're fewer loads on each one.

 

[teamextreme]

Pretty much any house I've ever worked on, which is plenty, has had general purpose receptacle circuits for bedrooms and the like run in 15A. There may be local requirements in parts of the country that require 20A, but nowhere I've ever worked (CO and CA).

 

[Mike Honcho]

Pretty sure the highest constant draw will be an electric blanket in the winter. Its upstairs so part of me said go 20 and do it once, after getting input from the board.