Bathroom Lights/Fans connected to random GFCI circuit in garage?

[woodburyowner]

I noticed something interesting the other day.  All my bathroom fans/lights are connected on the same circuit and it is connected to a GFCI plug that is on a wall in my garage!  Anyone know the reasoning behind this?  Why wouldn't it be connected to the main circuit breaker?  As you can imagine, this took me awhile to figure out!

 

[irvinehomeowner]

I think it's required by code to have any electrical outlet that can be exposed to water connected to a GFCI circuit.

Usually, each area has its own GCFI switch, but some are connected to a single one (and is usually located in the garage).

Our kitchen is on its own circuit, our bathrooms, like yours are connected to the one in the garage.

I think they are still connected to the main breaker too, but I may be wrong.

 

[davenlei]

When I had my built in mid '80's house in Irvine, the bathrooms were also connected to the outlet in the garage.

 

[woodburyowner]

Interesting.  The only reason I noticed it was because I tripped the GFCI plug the other day when I turned on my light/fan.  Shouldn't the light/fan be very low power?  Anyone have any ideas why it gets tripped every now and then?

 

[furioussugar]

IP builds these random issues into all their new builds,  timed to go off just as a new development is coming up---  it gets the owner thinking that little things are starting to build up and it's time to purchase a new home now that the shine has worn off their current one. 

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Interesting.  The only reason I noticed it was because I tripped the GFCI plug the other day when I turned on my light/fan.  Shouldn't the light/fan be very low power?  Anyone have any ideas why it gets tripped every now and then?

It shouldn't, unless there is something else on that circuit causing the short (or some faulty wiring).

For safety, I would have it checked.

 

[woodburyowner]

Looks like this issue is happening more often.  Anyone have a recommendation for a electrician/handy man for this type of issue?

 

[woodburyowner]

Looks like this issue is happening more often.  Anyone have a recommendation for a electrician/handy man for this type of issue?

Never mind.  I just replaced the GFCI receptacle and things look good.  I called around a few electricians on Yelp and the one who seemed most friendly and helpful was "your electrician".  He even told me I could call him back if I had problem during the replacement procedure.  His price structure seemed really fair too.  $65 service call, $65/hour (prorated) for the actual work + parts.  Some other guys wanted $150 minimum to even look at the issue!

 

[Coleman]

I had to figure this out the hard way when my wife's blow dryer didn't work.  Right before I called an electrician, I somehow needed to use the garage's outlet and reset the GFI in the wall and the upstairs plug worked! 

These are always things that are good to tell the next owners, haha.

 

[Limbay]

Even at the new Stonegate house, there is one GFCI outlet on the garage wall that is connected to another outlet inside the house.  When I was doing onsite inspection over the weekend, the sales told me that there are two outlets on the garage wall against the house.  He said if we want to plug the extra freezer, we should plug to the none-GFCI outlet so if the circuit does break from inside, it won't cause problem to the freeze.

 

[irvinehomeowner]

Looks like this issue is happening more often.  Anyone have a recommendation for a electrician/handy man for this type of issue?

Never mind.  I just replaced the GFCI receptacle and things look good.  I called around a few electricians on Yelp and the one who seemed most friendly and helpful was "your electrician".  He even told me I could call him back if I had problem during the replacement procedure.  His price structure seemed really fair too.  $65 service call, $65/hour (prorated) for the actual work + parts.  Some other guys wanted $150 minimum to even look at the issue!

I think I know who you are talking about but you should put his name/info here for the benefit of other members (and so ZeroLot doesn't have to vet them).

 

[woodburyowner]

Looks like this issue is happening more often.  Anyone have a recommendation for a electrician/handy man for this type of issue?

Never mind.  I just replaced the GFCI receptacle and things look good.  I called around a few electricians on Yelp and the one who seemed most friendly and helpful was "your electrician".  He even told me I could call him back if I had problem during the replacement procedure.  His price structure seemed really fair too.  $65 service call, $65/hour (prorated) for the actual work + parts.  Some other guys wanted $150 minimum to even look at the issue!

I think I know who you are talking about but you should put his name/info here for the benefit of other members (and so ZeroLot doesn't have to vet them).

Actually, I did put the info in the post.  His company name is "Your Electrician"   Owner's name is Rob.