Combo Switch (Fan+Light / 110v) to 2 Gang Timer Switch + (2) 110v
#1
02-02-15, 03:07 PM
Combo Switch (Fan+Light / 110v) to 2 Gang Timer Switch + (2) 110v
I need help with a bathroom project in my old home.
I currently have this setup I found on the forums here
I want to go to a 2 gang box (remodeling blue box) with a timer switch (which needs load, line and ground) and a standard 2 110v outlet.
I need help. I don't have ground so I had to use a pigtail screw to the box. When I hook up the load and line, I can't tell why the switch stays on when I go to turn on the circuit at the breaker box.
I'm thinking I need to tie off the neutral and hot with a wire nut but I'm unsure? It does not make a lot of sense.
I currently have this setup I found on the forums here
I want to go to a 2 gang box (remodeling blue box) with a timer switch (which needs load, line and ground) and a standard 2 110v outlet.
I need help. I don't have ground so I had to use a pigtail screw to the box. When I hook up the load and line, I can't tell why the switch stays on when I go to turn on the circuit at the breaker box.
I'm thinking I need to tie off the neutral and hot with a wire nut but I'm unsure? It does not make a lot of sense.
#2
02-02-15, 03:26 PM
So you want to use a 120 volt duplex receptacle and a timer switch. You should have two cables in the box. One is power in and the other is power out to the light. Is that correct? If so:
- Connect the whites of the two cables to a pigtail.
- Connect the power in black and timer black to a pigtail.
- Connect power out black to timer red.
- Connect the pigtails to the line side of your GFCI receptacle.
- Connect ground of power in to timer ground if present, power out ground, and two pigtails. Connect one pigtail to the box if metal and the other pigtail to the receptacle.
#4
02-02-15, 03:33 PM
Thanks
Thanks for the help.
@Geochurchi - I'm controlling the fan and light, but I wish I could control each separately. From what I understand, the two were connected before the wires come into the metal wall box.
@Ray2047 - Thanks for the detailed response. Just to clarify
Connect the whites of the two cables to a pigtail.
Which whites? I only have one neutral line.
Connect the power in black and timer black to a pigtail.
Is power in line or load?
Connect power out black to timer red.
Connect the pigtails to the line side of your GFCI receptacle.
Connect ground of power in to timer ground if present, power out ground, and two pigtails. Connect one pigtail to the box if metal and the other pigtail to the receptacle.
I'm using a plastic remodeling box and I got the ground pigtail to attach to a green screw. Will that work?
@Geochurchi - I'm controlling the fan and light, but I wish I could control each separately. From what I understand, the two were connected before the wires come into the metal wall box.
@Ray2047 - Thanks for the detailed response. Just to clarify
Connect the whites of the two cables to a pigtail.
Which whites? I only have one neutral line.
Connect the power in black and timer black to a pigtail.
Is power in line or load?
Connect power out black to timer red.
Connect the pigtails to the line side of your GFCI receptacle.
Connect ground of power in to timer ground if present, power out ground, and two pigtails. Connect one pigtail to the box if metal and the other pigtail to the receptacle.
I'm using a plastic remodeling box and I got the ground pigtail to attach to a green screw. Will that work?
#5
02-02-15, 03:40 PM
Connect the whites of the two cables to a pigtail.
Which whites? I only have one neutral line.
Which whites? I only have one neutral line.
Last edited by ray2047; 02-02-15 at 08:50 PM.
#6
02-02-15, 09:38 PM
@ray2047, your diagram makes sense except that what makes it hard is that I have only one neutral (white). 
The way it currently goes is, I think -
neutral - [single outlet] - black (hot)
load - [switch] - jumper to hot
The way it currently goes is, I think -
neutral - [single outlet] - black (hot)
load - [switch] - jumper to hot
#7
02-02-15, 10:07 PM
Group Moderator
IF you only have 1) two wire cable coming into that box. You can't do anything. You can't switch anything outside of that box without running another cable. Right now you have a hot and neutral in that box..... nothing more.
#10
02-03-15, 05:26 AM
Member
You want to control a fan light? Is there a fan rated box there now,?reason I ask is if that feed for the receptacle /switch Maybe coming from that ceiling box,in which case you maybe able to convert it to a switchleg,otherwise you are out of luck.
Just a thought!
Geo
Just a thought!
Geo
#11
02-03-15, 09:24 AM
Group Moderator
You can certainly convert that two wire cable to a switch loop but then you're using the white wire as a hot wire. You can no longer have a receptacle in that box.
#12
02-03-15, 09:58 AM
@pcboss - Yes, I read that but the fan timer says that if the ground is not connected it will not function. It's some safety thing.
@ray2047 - So I have no option other than to run new wire? (Assuming that is the case, let's say I don't mind getting rid of the power outlets, can I at least convert the combo switch into a timer?)
@ray2047 - So I have no option other than to run new wire? (Assuming that is the case, let's say I don't mind getting rid of the power outlets, can I at least convert the combo switch into a timer?)
#13
02-03-15, 10:20 AM
Group Moderator
At the current time.... I don't think we've confirmed that the two wire cable in your wall box comes from the light.
If that two wire cable does go to the ceiling light then you can convert it to timer controlled with no receptacle.
If that two wire cable does go to the ceiling light then you can convert it to timer controlled with no receptacle.
#14
02-09-15, 05:55 PM
I'm honestly not sure how I can test if the two wire is from the light or the fan because they seem to be controlled together despite being actually separate fixtures.
I tried just replacing unit with a timer box and I ended up throwing the circuit breaker. I had to wait for some time and switch it before I could get power back. I ended up just putting the old set up back.
I tried just replacing unit with a timer box and I ended up throwing the circuit breaker. I had to wait for some time and switch it before I could get power back. I ended up just putting the old set up back.
