I'm located in the US/MA. Finishing off a basement room and adding a couple of circuits. I will have overhead recessed lighting wired to a switch on the wall at the door entrance. Do I still need to have a wall receptical wired to the switch, or does the fact that the overheads are switched cover this?
generally if there is a way to turn on a light that is all that is required.
You will need recpts
What makes you ask a question like this? Unless there is something you are not telling us, there is certainly no requirement to have outlets on lighting circuits. What makes you spell receptacle that ?
And finally, you are aware the outlets have to be GFCI aren't you?
That's the usual case. The switched receptacle is in lieu of a switched ceiling outlet.
RAnd finally, you are aware the outlets have to be GFCI aren't you?
Is this a code change I'm not aware of? Unless something has changed, only outlets in "unfinished" parts of the basement have to be GFCI protected
You have the Code requirements turned around.
The requirement is for a minimum of one switched "lighting outlet" (e.g. an overhead light fixture) per room, but (except in kitchens and bathrooms) one or more switched wall receptacles may be used in lieu of a dedicated lighting outlet. IOW -- Code never requires switched receptacles, but allows them in place of otherwise-required overhead lighting.
Not in a finished basement, they don't. Probably prudent anyway, but not a Code requirement.
No, you are correct; sorry. But isn't that a bit strange? Why would they be required in unfinished, but not finished? Better insulation on the floor?
When I remodel I install extra wall receptables, they are pretty cheap, and dont forget pre wiring for sat, cable or ethernet.
easiest time to do this stuff is when wall is open.
Presumably because an unfinished basement is more likely to have water on the floor, and a finished basement probably implemented measures to prevent this..
Same here. I added an 18x30 addition and specified ouitlets every 8 ft. Mistake. I should have specified two circuits and no farther than
6 ft.Harry K
The receptacles in our current house are split top/bottom. The tops in every room (except kitchen) are switched and the bottoms aren't. I'm sure it's a bit more expensive to do this but it is nice; highly recommended.
Even better: install conduit.
When we built our home, we had "media outlets" in every room with conduit home runs to a cabinet in the basement. The cabinet has the sattellite feeds, and telephone line coming into it and houses a DSL modem and router.
When we need to add something to a room (phone, ethernet, coax, speaker wire) it is a simple job. The conduit was a small extra cost and I didn't have to guess what might be needed where - you always end up paying for too much cable in some places and end up with not quite enough somewhere else.
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