To eliminate the nuisance tripping of the GFCI, simply install an RC surge suppressor in parallel with the fan motor leads and connect it physically by the fan motor. An Electrocube RG1986-8-5 will solve the issue.

Will a bathroom fan trip a GFCI?

Yes, the GFCI only trips when the exhaust fan is running, and I can only guess that since it is directly in the shower area that the fan is only on while someone is taking a shower.

Why is exhaust fan tripping breaker?





When a fan is tripping the breaker, it indicates an inbalance in the flow of electrical current. The most common causes of a fan tripping the breaker are a circuit overload, short circuit, or ground fault surges.

Does an exhaust fan need to be GFCI protected?

Although the National Electrical Code (NEC) does not have a requirement for a bathroom exhaust fan to be GFCI protected, it is often specified by the manufacturer in the installation instructions when the fan is over a tub or shower.

Why is my GFCI suddenly tripping?

This may happen if you connect malfunctioning or defective appliances. Loose, corroded wires or connections may also be to blame. Once the GFCI outlet senses an overload, it trips or “breaks” the circuit.

How do I protect my bathroom fan from GFCI?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: And then use gfci receptacles for each location that we want to receptacle with the way we have the wire running in this particular installation. We would have to install a gfci receptacle.

Does a bathroom exhaust fan need a dedicated circuit?





Bathroom Circuits



If the vent fan has a built-in heater, it must have its own 20-amp circuit. This is called a “dedicated” circuit because it serves only one appliance or fixture. Heat lamps, wall heaters, and other built-in heating appliances may also require dedicated circuits.

Which breaker is for bathroom fan?

Most bathroom ventilation fans use a 15-amp circuit breaker and 14-gauge wiring. Due to the increased power drawn, fans with heaters usually require a 20-amp circuit breaker and 12-gauge wiring. Use the manufacturer’s electrical specifications to confirm this.

How do I find out what’s tripping my circuit breaker?

If your circuit breaker keeps tripping, it’s usually a sign of something wrong with the circuit. There could be a short circuit in one of the appliances or somewhere in the wiring. There could be a ground fault causing the breaker to keep tripping. There could be a circuit overload.

What size breaker do I need for a ceiling fan?

All you need is a 15 amp breaker for a ceiling fan. This is because ceiling fans are in the same category as lights and outlets and require a lot less electrical power to operate.

Can an overload trip a GFCI?



Overloads don’t trip a GFCI.



If there was an overload, it would trip the actual circuit breaker. Since this is a GFCI/receptacle (as opposed to a GFCI/breaker) and the GFCI trips, that is a GFCI problem – 100% – and not an overcurrent situation.

Is there a difference between GFI and GFCI?

Ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) and ground fault interrupters (GFI) are the exact same device under slightly different names. Though GFCI is more commonly used than GFI, the terms are interchangeable.

Will a surge protector keep a GFCI from tripping?

GFIs protect YOU when current is leaking outside of the circuit, such as through your body, by detecting a tiny amount of current leak and shutting the circuit down before you can even feel it. A surge suppressor will not prevent a GFI from tripping, nor should it.

Do lights in a bathroom need to be GFCI-protected?



As mentioned above, GFCI protection is required for any electrical outlets or switches that are in the area where you could get wet while using your bathroom. This includes the bathtub area, sink area, and shower stall.

Can you put an exhaust fan directly over a shower?

You can place the fan directly over the bathtub or shower base, but it’s sufficient to position it anywhere near the bathing area. If the bathroom has both a tub and shower, or a shower and a whirlpool tub, the fan should go somewhere between the two fixtures.

Does a bathroom heater need to be GFCI-protected?

Senior Member. As long as it is hard wired, plug and cord connected would still need GFCI.

Can a bathroom exhaust fan be on the same circuit as the outlets?

4 of the 2015 IRC requires that at least one 20-amp circuit supply the bathroom’s GFCI-protected outlets. And while outlets in other rooms can’t be placed on this circuit, other minor equipment within the bathroom (like an exhaust fan) can be, according to the code — but only if the circuit serves just one bathroom.

How many amps does an exhaust fan draw?



A fan will typically use about 30-60 watts, which is about 1/4 – 1/2 of an amp. So given your logic even a 15 amp circuit would be 30-60 TIMES the amount of power the fan uses. Bottom line, you’ll be fine putting it on a 20 amp circuit.

Can bathroom exhaust fan be on same circuit as lights?

This is acceptable. Many bathroom fans include lights with the intention of both being wired to one switch on the same circuit. They can also be wired separately to different switches.

Can I wire an exhaust fan and light to the same switch?

It is not a bad idea to connect the bathroom fan and light in your home on the same switch. It is safe to operate both at the same time. Running the fan in the bathroom is one of the best ways to prevent mold from growing in your bathroom. Mold in the bathroom is a result of the condensation of hot water.

How do you wire a bathroom fan to the end of the run switch?

How to Wire a Bathroom Fan to an Existing Light

  1. Shut Off the Power. …
  2. Remove the Light. …
  3. Remove the Wire Connectors. …
  4. Run a Cable to the Housing Box. …
  5. Wire the Cable to the Fan. …
  6. Use a Wire Stripper to Remove the Cable’s Outer Sheath. …
  7. Attach the Black, White and Neutral Wires. …
  8. Restore the Power.