Ceiling Fan Wiring Diagram #2

Summary: This wiring diagram explains how the power is starting at the ceiling fan box and wires to two switches.
© By: Dave Rongey

Wiring a Ceiling Fan when the Power Enters at the Ceiling Fan Box

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Install a Ceiling Fan

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Power Starting at the Ceiling Fan Box
This wiring diagram shows the power starting at the ceiling fan box. A splice is made with the hot line or power source. The power source is extended so that is can supply power down to the switch box. With this configuration a 3-wire cable leads from the ceiling fan box down to the wall switch box.

In the Switch box the power source is used to connect to either one fan wall switch, or it can be used to power a second switch for the ceiling fan light fixture.
The power will pass through the switches and back up to the ceiling fan and light.

The Electrical Power Enters at the Ceiling Fan Box

A 3-wire cable is then taken from the switch box up to the approved ceiling fan junction box. The wires are connected to the leads from the ceiling fan.

Comments and Questions about Ceiling Fan Wiring

Wiring a Ceiling Fan from a Receptacle and Added Switch

Correct Wiring for a Ceiling Fan Switch in a Shop

I have a receptacle in my garage that I plug my shop lights into. I would like to add a separate switch next to this box, bring power into switch and control my ceiling fan. Right now if I want my fan to operate, my over lights must be on also. So by adding a switch I can keep the switch on and control the fan with a pull chain switch string. I am not using a light with the fan.
Gary

The additional switch will be helpful to control the ceiling fan separate from the other lights. If the ceiling and walls are not finished with wall coverings, such as sheet rock, then the electrical wiring should be installed in conduit to provide protection for the electrical wires.

Ceiling Fan with 3-Way Switches

Wiring a Switch to a Ceiling Fan

How can I wire a 3-way switch to a ceiling fan with power to the light and separate switch to fan.

Dave's Reply: Tim, the power must be separated at the power source before the switches, then one switch will be wired for each separate function. Three way switch wiring will then need to be installed between the two switch locations.

Replacing a Light Fixture with a Ceiling Fan

Doug, from Moorestown, New Jersey asks:
I am installing a ceiling fan. My main light switch panel has four light switches in it with one being a light/dimmer switch that controls the main light where the ceiling fan with the light will go. I want to swap the light/dimmer switch with one of the other plain light switches so I can control reset lighting in the room with the light/dimmer switch. There is #14-3 wires to the light/dimmer switch and #14-2 wires to the regular switch. How do I make this switch or can this be done?

Doug,
The dimmer switch that is being used for the existing ceiling light fixture is wire as a three way switch if all three of the 14/3 wires are connected to the switch, so the existing dimmer switch will need to be replaced with a standard three way switch. Most dimmer switches may be wired as a three way or single switch where one of the wires is capped of and unused.
A standard single pole light switch may be used for the ceiling fan however you will need to used the pull chain switches on the ceiling fan to control the levels of light and the speed of the ceiling fan motor unless you choose to have the option of remote control capabilities which is the most convenient way to have full wireless control of all the ceiling fan light and fan speed functions.
Be sure that the ceiling fixture electrical box is Rated for the Weight of the Ceiling Fan or have the existing fixture box removed and a well supported Ceiling Fan Rated box installed.

Will a Ceiling Fan Require a New Circuit?

James, from Memphis, Tennessee asks:
I have an old house and the electricity has been upgraded from fuses to breakers. I need to ad some electrical to the main bathroom. I want to ad a small ceiling fan and an exhaust fan as well as one more outlet. I think I should run a new line from the electrical box. Is this true, and what size wire should I run and what size breaker should I use? Thanks.

James,
An additional circuit for the ceiling fan and the exhaust fan will only be required if the existing circuit for the bathroom light fixture does not have enough capacity to support the additional load of these items. The amount of power required for a ceiling fan and a standard exhaust fan is not very great. If you find that a new circuit is needed then a 15 amp circuit with 14/2 NM cable would be adequate.

My Ceiling Fan Light Pull Chain is Shocking Me

Millie, from Bartles Ville,OK asks:
My ceiling fan light chain just started having electrical current coming thru it when I touch it. The fan chain doesn't do it just the light. When I turn off the wall switch it doesn't shock me or if I turn the light off and turn the wall switch on there is no shock. What do I need to do to fix this?

Millie,
It is very possible that the ceiling fan light pull chain switch has become faulty and needs to be replaced. This is a dangerous condition that needs to be taken care of right away. A replacement pull chain switch for the ceiling fan light should be available at most hardware stores where they sell a wide variety of ceiling fans and components.

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« Ceiling Fan Wiring Diagram 1

Installing a Ceiling Fan Part 1 »

Questions about Wiring a Ceiling Fan

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How to Install Electrical Wiring for Outlets and a Ceiling Fan: Ceiling fans may be controlled individually by the wall switch, pull chain switches or remote control modules.

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Ceiling Fan Connections for Red and Blue Wires

How do I connect the red and blue wires for a ceiling fan? How to Install Ceiling Fans and Make the Wiring Connections.

See more about Ceiling Fan Wiring.

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Installing Ceiling Fan Wiring