Rewiring bathroom fan/light swtich
#1
02-03-03, 06:28 AM
Rewiring bathroom fan/light swtich
I have an unfinished basement, and plan on adding a bathroom.
The Light is installed and the ceiling fan, but both are activated on the same switch, and I want them sepearate.
I allready examined the switch and this is how it is wired.
From the light there is wire going from the light to the fan and that is it.
From my limited wiring knowledge, I assume that I would disconnect the power wires from the light and run that to a new switch, and then bring in power to the switch. But this is where I am not sure how to wire it up. From there I want to add one outlet for the new bathroom.
If anyone can help me out please do.
Sorry if it's hard to understand, I am not sure on the proper terminology.
The Light is installed and the ceiling fan, but both are activated on the same switch, and I want them sepearate.
I allready examined the switch and this is how it is wired.
From the light there is wire going from the light to the fan and that is it.
From my limited wiring knowledge, I assume that I would disconnect the power wires from the light and run that to a new switch, and then bring in power to the switch. But this is where I am not sure how to wire it up. From there I want to add one outlet for the new bathroom.
If anyone can help me out please do.
Sorry if it's hard to understand, I am not sure on the proper terminology.
#2
02-03-03, 06:48 AM
Member
Your description of the wiring leaves a lot of unknowns. You said you were going to tell us the wiring at the switch, and then told us the wiring at the light. We need to know all the wiring at the switch, the fan, and the light to give you good advice.
Bathroom are very regulated. Before adding a bath receptacle to this circuit, we would need to know a lot more details. There are many constraints on proper bathroom wiring.
Bathroom are very regulated. Before adding a bath receptacle to this circuit, we would need to know a lot more details. There are many constraints on proper bathroom wiring.
#3
02-03-03, 08:47 AM
more info
Sorry about that, here goes the best I can explain it:
The ceiling/exhaust fan is wired directly to the bathroom light, so therefore when I turn the switch both bathroom light and fan come on.
When I removed the cover of the light I seen that the fan is directly wired to the light and then the light is then wired to the switch. At the switch the there are two sets of wires one from the light/fan and then wires going to the next swtich.
There is a plug that I wired myself that is at the end of the circuit for the extra plugs I installed (4 plugs on one breaker, and one florescent light). This plug is close to the switch, I assume that I could use this for my new power source.
If this does not help, I could take a digital picture of the wiring and send it to you.
Thanks for the speedy response.
The ceiling/exhaust fan is wired directly to the bathroom light, so therefore when I turn the switch both bathroom light and fan come on.
When I removed the cover of the light I seen that the fan is directly wired to the light and then the light is then wired to the switch. At the switch the there are two sets of wires one from the light/fan and then wires going to the next swtich.
There is a plug that I wired myself that is at the end of the circuit for the extra plugs I installed (4 plugs on one breaker, and one florescent light). This plug is close to the switch, I assume that I could use this for my new power source.
If this does not help, I could take a digital picture of the wiring and send it to you.
Thanks for the speedy response.
#4
02-03-03, 09:04 AM
Member
I'm going to assume that the cable at the switch that you described as "going to the next switch" really is the incoming power source. Does that sound okay to you?
I am also going to assume that you have sheathed cable wiring (aka Romex or NM), rather than individual wires through metal conduit. Is that correct?
There are other options, but I recommend that you replace the 12/2 cable from the switch to the light with a 12/3. Can you do that?
Before you consider adding a receptacle, however, please determine everything that is on this circuit and post back with this information.
Next, figure out whether you have 12-gauge wire (as I assumed above) or 14-gauge wire. Finally, tell us whether the breaker than shuts off the power is a 15-amp or a 20-amp breaker.
I am also going to assume that you have sheathed cable wiring (aka Romex or NM), rather than individual wires through metal conduit. Is that correct?
There are other options, but I recommend that you replace the 12/2 cable from the switch to the light with a 12/3. Can you do that?
Before you consider adding a receptacle, however, please determine everything that is on this circuit and post back with this information.
Next, figure out whether you have 12-gauge wire (as I assumed above) or 14-gauge wire. Finally, tell us whether the breaker than shuts off the power is a 15-amp or a 20-amp breaker.
#5
02-04-03, 08:40 AM
thanks
Thanks for your patience, I am not to sure of the terminology and stuff. Let's approach this from another angle.
First off I am using 14/2 wire and a 15 amp breaker.
Now let's say I want to do this:
I want to wire a bathroom exhaust fan to a swtich. There is a wall plug nearby that is at the end of the circuit, that I can use for power. Finally from that switch, I want to add one additional outlet, that is it. How would I wire this together.
thanks once again.
First off I am using 14/2 wire and a 15 amp breaker.
Now let's say I want to do this:
I want to wire a bathroom exhaust fan to a swtich. There is a wall plug nearby that is at the end of the circuit, that I can use for power. Finally from that switch, I want to add one additional outlet, that is it. How would I wire this together.
thanks once again.
#6
02-04-03, 10:18 AM
There are basicaly 3 types of "outlets"- receptacle outlet,switch outlet and liting outlet. An "outlet" suggests a box, either exposed or concealed, which serves as a point for connecting devices and fixtures to the Branch-Circuit wiring.Examples----- If you need an outlet box with 2 switches ,1 for a liting fixture and 1 for a fan, you'll need a "2-gang switch outlet."-----if you need an outlet for a switch and a receptacle you need a "2-gang switch & receptacle outlet".----An outlet for 1 switch or for 1 receptacle is simply a switch/receptacle outlet. Please describe the exact types and numbers of outlets you need for this project. Caveat---the NEC requires 20 amp circuits and GFI protection for bathroom receptacles-----Good Luck
#7
02-04-03, 06:11 PM
Member
My earlier advice stands, except now that I know that you have 14-gauge wire, you should replace the 14/2 cable between the light and the switch with 14/3. Then go buy a duplex switch (a single unit with two switches, one on top of the other). Post back when you ge this far for more instructions.
And forget the receptacle for now. You can't add it to this circuit anyway. We'll deal with that once we get separate switches for the fan and light.
And forget the receptacle for now. You can't add it to this circuit anyway. We'll deal with that once we get separate switches for the fan and light.
