Code requirements and energy efficient specifications now incorporate the following methods into a new or remodeled bedroom project.
All lighting must be on either: on dimmer switches, or provide a "manual-on occupancy sensor" or all fluorescent lighting. Closets less than 70 sq. ft. are exempt from the above lighting requirements.
Incandescent lights in clothes closets need a 12 inch minimum clearance from combustibles such as walls or the edge of shelf, measured horizontally. 6" horizontal clearance is allowed for recessed incandescent lights with covers or fluorescent fixtures.
Basic Home Electrical Wiring for Bedroom Circuits and Electrical Devices
Wiring a Bedroom for Warmth, Romance and Style
Bedroom Blueprint and Wiring Design Layout
Bedroom Electrical Code Requirements
Permanently installed hardwired Smoke Detectors with battery backup are required in all occupied bedrooms, and in the hallway area just outside the bedroom doors.
Arc Fault or AFCI is required for all bedroom outlet or receptacle circuits.
Bedrooms may require tamper proof outlets or receptacles. These outlets prevent children from accessing the electrical components.
Ceiling Fans may be installed where there is a minimum of 7 feet clearance from the floor to the fan blades.
Incandescent lights in clothes closets need a 12 inch minimum from combustibles such as walls or the edge of shelf, measured horizontally. 6" horizontal clearance is allowed for recessed incandescent lights with covers or fluorescent fixtures.
Dimmer switches may be required as an energy savings and efficiency control for lighting. Be sure that the dimmer switches and light fixture types are compatible.
Add a romantic touch to your bedroom by simply installing accent lighting controlled by mood enhancing dimmer switches.
Additional lighting fixtures, carefully placed, will assist you while you read your favorite novel just before dozing off to sleep, or become the warm touch that invites a romantic evening. Candles are a nice touch, but when it comes to new lighting features and controls you won't believe just how much control do you will have from the push of a button. Be sure to add these features into your electrical wiring diagrams.
On the Practical Side
Proper placement of receptacles will
eliminate the need for unsightly and unsafe extension cords as you examine
your bed wall with regard to the placement of receptacles for items
such as electric blankets, alarm clocks, and your favorite source of
music. Other considerations for your home electrical wiring for bedrooms would be nightstand lighting which
could be controlled by what are known as half-hot switched receptacles.
These receptacles conveniently allow you to control your nightstand
light from either the wall switch as you enter your bedroom or within
hands reach from your bedside.
Don't forget the importance of telephone and wall jacks as well as cable TV provisions.
Home electrical wiring for bedrooms safety requirements
The newly required AFCI (arc fault circuit
interruption) devices reduce the possibility of fire and other hazards.
New construction and remodel projects will require the addition of this
AFCI protection.
Security and Automation
Improvements in wireless control technology will help you rest easier knowing that lighting controls are at your fingertips, with a remote controlled system which can be placed on your nightstand ready for your use anytime of the day or night.
Smart Additions for Bedroom Electrical Wiring
Improvements in ceiling fans affordably provide a variety of styles that not only cool in the summer but also warm in the winter by using easy to operate remote control units. Light and fan combination units will also provide a mood enhancing touch to your bedroom so be sure to add these options to your bedroom electrical wiring diagrams.
Question from Wes, a Homeowner in Charlotte, North Carolina: What is the best way to add wiring for additional Bedroom Lights?
I would like to install eight 4-inch recessed light fixtures in my master bedroom.
Currently I just have a ceiling fan with a light fixture in it. The ceiling fan is controlled by two switches, and operates by a remote. I believe the switches have red and black wires. I want to replace the ceiling fan with a chandelier and use one of the black or red wires for powering the eight recessed lights. Which wire should I use to power the recessed lights? I would like to replace the regular switch with a dimmer. Also in the attic where I will be installing the recessed cans there are existing wires running in the location of the new light fixtures. How far should I move the existing wires from the recessed cans?
Dave’s Answer: Wiring for Bedroom Light Fixtures
Since there are two existing switches for the ceiling fan and light, the wiring may be adapted for the additional recessed lights and the chandelier, you would just need to keep track of the switch assignments so the dimmer switch will be installed with the right set of wires.
The existing wiring in the attic should not come into contact with the new recessed lighting fixture enclosures.
IMPORTANT: When adding an additional load to an existing circuit the circuit should be tested to make sure it has the capacity for the additional calculated load to prevent overloading the existing circuit.
Lost Power to a Bedroom Circuit
William asks:
I
Lost power for a small bedroom. I replaced the circuit breaker and still have no power. Short of it being another bad breaker, what else could be causing the problem?
Dave's reply:
William, there is most likely a lost connection that has occurred with one of the conductors of the bedroom circuit. The circuit wiring, connections and outlet devices will all need to be inspected for a burnt or bad connection. Once the problem has been identified then the proper repairs will be necessary.
Converting Bedroom Switched Outlets to Ceiling Fixtures or Fans
Jon, from Hull, Iowa asks:
I would like to change my switched outlets in my bedrooms to switched ceiling lights, or possible ceiling fans. I have the main power with 14-2 wire coming into my master bedroom single pole switch; it proceeds to an outlet nearby. The same master bedroom switch proceeds to another bedroom switch where it also feeds a nearby outlet. The second bedroom single pole switch then goes to the 3rd bedroom where it also feeds one switched outlet. All the whites in line were tied together. I have already run a 14-2 wire to the center of each room down to the switch area. This is where I have a question; How do I wire the switch for possible ceiling fans, or ceiling lights; Do I need a double gang box; and can the outlet still be used without turning a switch on?
Dave's reply:
Jon, Since the power source of both the hot and the neutral is located at the wall switch box of the bedroom, then just replace the connections that go from the switch to the outlet with the new black wire that goes to the ceiling fixture, and connect the wire that used to go to the outlet together with the black of the incoming power. The white neutral wire of the ceiling fixture connects with the other neutral wires in the switch box.
The single switch box can be changed to a double gang switch box if and additional switch will be required.
Test and make sure the circuit power is off before doing any wiring.
Wiring Outlets Controlled by a Switch
Mark, from Leawood, Kansas asks:
I want to wire a switch to control two outlets. Can you explain the process for me?
Dave's reply:
Mark, Electrical outlets require a circuit consisting of a power feed, neutral, and a ground, which is typically accomplished by installing a cable with wires that are black, white and bare copper respectively.
For this application, the power source would enter at the switch location which would be wired to control only the power feed or black wire of the incoming power source, and the black wire of the outgoing cable leading to the outlets. The white neutral wires and the ground wires are spliced through at the switch location and the outlets are wired parallel from the first to the second.
Be sure to get your copy of my BIG Book: Perfect for Homeowners, Students and Electricians Includes:
Home Electrical Wiring - Room by Room
120 Volt Circuits
240 Volt Circuits
Multi-Wired Circuits
Wiring Methods for Installing Home Electrical Circuit Wiring
Electrical Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.
Are GFCI Outlets Required in the Bedroom I'm having a home remodel done. The electrician is telling me that it is NEC code now that GFCI outlets have to be installed in bedrooms?
How to Install a Ceiling Fan in Your Bedroom How can I wire a ceiling fan and wall switch? I would like to install a ceiling fan in my bedroom. I have an existing switch that work a top part of a convenience outlet.
How to Fix Bedroom Outlets that Do Not Work Why do the plugs in the bedroom area not work? Bedroom Electrical Outlet Problems and How to Fix Them, Repairing Outlets and Electrical Connections.
Electrical Wiring for Trailer Home Bedroom Light I live in a trailer house and the light in the bedroom is the junction box which has 4 sets of positive and negative but only one set is hot....
Electrical Project Skill Level:
Intermediate to Advanced - Best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Electrical Tools Required:
Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time:
Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, install electrical circuit wiring, and the available access to the project area. Electrical Safety:
Identify the panel circuits found in the project area, turn them OFF and Tag them with a Note before working with the electrical wiring.
Electrical Wiring Parts and Materials:
Electrical parts and materials for home wiring projects should be approved for the specific project and compliant with local and national electrical codes.
Electrical Codes and Inspections:
Installing additional home electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.
This is a testing tool that is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.
This is great to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring, is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets
Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency
Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included
Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect, Very handy and easy to use.
A wire stripping tool used to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.
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