wiring a ceiling fan with two switches
#1
10-21-03, 09:42 AM
wiring a ceiling fan with two switches
I want to replace the light in my daughter's bedroom with a ceiling fan / light kit. I would like to add another switch by the existing light switch on the wall so i can have one switch controlling the fan motor and the other switch controlling the light kit. I have already installed a box for two switches on the wall. Power is at the box in the ceiling (metal box to support fan). All i need to know is how to wire this. The fan has a blue wire for the light.
Can anyone explain how to wire this or have any diagrams?
Thanks
Can anyone explain how to wire this or have any diagrams?
Thanks
#2
10-21-03, 10:04 AM
Member
It's trivial once you replace the 14/2 between the ceiling and the switch box with 14/3. Then you will connect the power supply black wire to the 14/3 white, the power supply white wire to the fan white, the 14/3 black wire to the fan black wire, and the 14/3 red wire to the fan blue wire.
At the switch box, add two pigtails to the 14/3 white wire, connecting each pigtail to one screw on each switch. Then connect the 14/3 red and the black to the remaining screw on each switch.
At the switch box, add two pigtails to the 14/3 white wire, connecting each pigtail to one screw on each switch. Then connect the 14/3 red and the black to the remaining screw on each switch.
#4
10-21-03, 10:43 AM
In your case I think I would keep things uniform and use 12/3 with grnd, also make sure your switches are 20 amp rated. 14 awg is all that is required on lighting circuit protected by 15 amp breaker but your case is different. I would double check wire guage and breaker protecting this circuit 14 awg is much easier to work with. Take a look at this site and click on the link below the american flag then click the wire diagram selection that fits your case.....Good luck RL 
#6
10-21-03, 11:53 AM
Member
Yes, everywhere I said "14", substitute "12".
You don't need 20-amp switches. 15-amp switches are fine.
You don't need 20-amp switches. 15-amp switches are fine.
#7
10-21-03, 01:39 PM
John is correct 15 amp switches are fine. I just like the quality of 20 amp switches. Reason wire guage must be 12 awg is because circuit is protected by 20 amp breaker and requires 12 awg, really isnt a choice on this issue. The way I worded my previous post made it sound like there was a choice....sorry......RL
#8
12-12-03, 07:40 PM
Originally posted by John Nelson
It's trivial once you replace the 14/2 between the ceiling and the switch box with 14/3. Then you will connect the power supply black wire to the 14/3 white, the power supply white wire to the fan white, the 14/3 black wire to the fan black wire, and the 14/3 red wire to the fan blue wire.
At the switch box, add two pigtails to the 14/3 white wire, connecting each pigtail to one screw on each switch. Then connect the 14/3 red and the black to the remaining screw on each switch.
It's trivial once you replace the 14/2 between the ceiling and the switch box with 14/3. Then you will connect the power supply black wire to the 14/3 white, the power supply white wire to the fan white, the 14/3 black wire to the fan black wire, and the 14/3 red wire to the fan blue wire.
At the switch box, add two pigtails to the 14/3 white wire, connecting each pigtail to one screw on each switch. Then connect the 14/3 red and the black to the remaining screw on each switch.
Is it entirely impossible to do this with 14/2?
If so then how should it be wired, with 14/2, to control the ceiling fan's light through the wall switch?
(The ceiling fan/light has ground, white, blue and black wires).
#9
12-13-03, 10:41 AM
Member
Is it entirely impossible to do this with 14/2?
There are almost always options. If you need to do this with 12/2, these are your main options:[list=1][*]Use a wireless remote control. Such kits are sold at home centers for $30 to $40 and can be added to any brand of existing fans.[*]Use a high-tech control switch that sends signals through the 12/2 and actual switching is done at the ceiling. This is a wired remote control, and works similarly to the wireless remote.[*]Feed continuous power to the ceiling and use the pull chains.[*]If the 12/2 happens to be a switch loop, you could power the fan with continuous power and use the switch for the light only.[/list=1]But there is no magic rearrangement of the connections at the wall and ceiling that can accomplish this with nothing else new.
#10
12-13-03, 08:00 PM
Originally posted by John Nelson
First of all, I'll change your question to "Is it entirely impossible to do this with 12/2?" since this thread is dealing with a 20-amp circuit.
Actually I was doing the same thing on a 15amp circuit and typing while trying to apply this scenario to my situation.
There are almost always options. If you need to do this with 12/2, these are your main options:[list=1][*]Use a wireless remote control. Such kits are sold at home centers for $30 to $40 and can be added to any brand of existing fans.[*]Use a high-tech control switch that sends signals through the 12/2 and actual switching is done at the ceiling. This is a wired remote control, and works similarly to the wireless remote.[*]Feed continuous power to the ceiling and use the pull chains.[*]If the 12/2 happens to be a switch loop, you could power the fan with continuous power and use the switch for the light only.[/list=1]But there is no magic rearrangement of the connections at the wall and ceiling that can accomplish this with nothing else new.
First of all, I'll change your question to "Is it entirely impossible to do this with 12/2?" since this thread is dealing with a 20-amp circuit.
Actually I was doing the same thing on a 15amp circuit and typing while trying to apply this scenario to my situation.
There are almost always options. If you need to do this with 12/2, these are your main options:[list=1][*]Use a wireless remote control. Such kits are sold at home centers for $30 to $40 and can be added to any brand of existing fans.[*]Use a high-tech control switch that sends signals through the 12/2 and actual switching is done at the ceiling. This is a wired remote control, and works similarly to the wireless remote.[*]Feed continuous power to the ceiling and use the pull chains.[*]If the 12/2 happens to be a switch loop, you could power the fan with continuous power and use the switch for the light only.[/list=1]But there is no magic rearrangement of the connections at the wall and ceiling that can accomplish this with nothing else new.
