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Yes as long as the load is compatible with the wiring size and breaker protecting the circuit. Usually the lighting and outlets are separate just as a best practice, and new work may require separation depending on the locale.

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13y ago
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9y ago

You can certainly do this if you obey certain rules and many older homes might have evolved in this way. this is not to say that this is condoned by the electric code. You need to make sure that the wiring and devices are consistent for the amperage of the breaker. For example lighting circuits would typically use 14 AWG while a 20 Amp outlet would use 12 AWG. You wouldn't want to run 14 AWG to a light from an outlet protected by a 20 A breaker. Also the internal wiring in lamp should match the current rating of the protecting breaker. Hence, the norm would be to separate the two different types of circuits.
You can, but usually don't. You are more likely to trip a breaker by plugging something into an outlet. If the lights are on the same circuit, you can be left in the dark. Also, depending on what is in the outlet, the lights will dim slightly when you use it. I don't know current codes and yours may vary. It used to be 10 outlets or lights on a circuit using 12/2 wire and a 20 amp. breaker. That's old information and may no longer be correct.

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14y ago

Yes, up to a combination of 12 devices. Devices include receptacles, switches and light outlets. Each outlet box counts as one device

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12y ago

Yes. Most homes have at least 1 outlet on a switch for lamps and Christmas trees

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Q: Can Lights and outlets be on the same circuit?
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Can the outlets in a circuit be arranged in different groupings to obtain the same result Why?

Can the outlets in a circuit be arranged in different groups to obtain the same result? Why?


If a 1950 era house has 10 gauge wiring for lights and outlets can you safely extend wiring with 12-2 for additional lights and outlets?

You can provided the protecting breaker for the circuit is 20 Amps or less.


What if lights do not work but outlets work?

You probably blew the breaker for the lights. While usually the lights and outlets in a room are on the same breaker, it isn't always done that way. And you may have blown the light bulbs in the lights.


How many recessed lights can you put on a 20 Amp circuit breaker?

If there is nothing else on the circuit then you could easily install 15. If there are outlets on the same circuit then try and keep the total of outlets and lights to a maximum of 15. But in reality the number of devices depends on how many amps each device pulls. Add up the amperage of the recessed lights you are going to install and then add any outlets and what may be plugged into them to get the number you can install. A 100 watt light bulb will draw about 1 amp. So you can easily have 15 on a 20 amp circuit.


Plugging an electric heater into a GFI outlet caused the lights and other outlets to go out but didn't trip the circuit breaker why?

A GFCI receptacle can pass it's "protection" to other outlets wired from it. If the GFCI trips, all outlets wired from it will "trip" also. A GFCI tripping will not necessarily trip the circuit breaker in the service panel.

Related questions

Can the outlets in a circuit be arranged in different groupings to obtain the same result Why?

Can the outlets in a circuit be arranged in different groups to obtain the same result? Why?


Can the power to your whirlpool be on the same 20 amp circuit as the bathroom lights and outlets?

No, the whirlpool has a motor load connected to it and should be connected to a dedicated ground fault breaker.


If a 1950 era house has 10 gauge wiring for lights and outlets can you safely extend wiring with 12-2 for additional lights and outlets?

You can provided the protecting breaker for the circuit is 20 Amps or less.


How many wall outlets can you have in a circuit using a A breaker?

Assuming this is not an office of a place where lots of the outlets will be used to power items that draw lots of current on a 15 amp circuit wired with 14/2 wire I would limit it to no more than 10 outlets and lights combined. On a 20 amp circuit wired with 12/2 wire I would limit it to a 14 outlets and lights combined. There is no limit in the code. You just use common sense based on what is going to be used on this circuit.


What if lights do not work but outlets work?

You probably blew the breaker for the lights. While usually the lights and outlets in a room are on the same breaker, it isn't always done that way. And you may have blown the light bulbs in the lights.


Is the number plate light on the same circuit as the head lights?

The number plate light is usually on the same circuit as the head lights.


How many recessed lights can you put on a 20 Amp circuit breaker?

If there is nothing else on the circuit then you could easily install 15. If there are outlets on the same circuit then try and keep the total of outlets and lights to a maximum of 15. But in reality the number of devices depends on how many amps each device pulls. Add up the amperage of the recessed lights you are going to install and then add any outlets and what may be plugged into them to get the number you can install. A 100 watt light bulb will draw about 1 amp. So you can easily have 15 on a 20 amp circuit.


How many lights off one switch?

ten lights per curcuitCircuit loadingIn Canada there shall be not more that 12 outlets on any 2 wire branch circuit. Such outlets shall be considered to be rated at not more that 1 amp per outlet. Where the connected load is known, the number of outlets may exceed 12 providing the load current does not exceed 80 % of the rating of the over current device protecting the circuit.


How many neutral wires are needed for lighting and outlets?

If they are on the same circuit you only need 1 neutral wire in the circuit.


Plugging an electric heater into a GFI outlet caused the lights and other outlets to go out but didn't trip the circuit breaker why?

A GFCI receptacle can pass it's "protection" to other outlets wired from it. If the GFCI trips, all outlets wired from it will "trip" also. A GFCI tripping will not necessarily trip the circuit breaker in the service panel.


When a home circuit breaker opens the lights in some rooms go off but the lights in some rooms stay on. Explain why.?

The circuit breakers in a panelboard feed separate circuits. The lights that stay on are on a different circuit than the ones that go off. To fine the circuit that feeds the lights that stay on, go to the panelboard and turn off the breakers one by one until the lights go out. This is the circuit that feeds that circuit of lights. Remember that lights and receptacles can be on the same circuit together.


What is the fuse called for the tail lights and dash lights?

parking lights, these are usually tied to the same circuit as the instrument panel lights