Switch Wiring for a Ceiling Fan and Recessed Lights
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How do I wire a ceiling fan from a switch box that controls other fixtures? How to Install Wiring for a Light Switch that controls a Ceiling Fan and Recessed Lights. © By: Dave Rongey |
Wiring Ceiling Fan and Recessed Lights
Electrical Question: How do I wire a ceiling fan from a switch box that controls other fixtures?
- I have a 2-wire cable coming into switch box from power supply.
- There is a 3-wire cable from the switch box to a ceiling fan with no light fixture on fan.
- There is also a 2-wire cable from the ceiling fan to 6 recessed light cans that I want to switch from the origination switch box and operate the fan with the pull chain switch only.
- I Think I know how but could you verify this for me?
Thanks, Frank.
This electrical question came from: Frank, a Homeowner from Gonzales County, Texas.
Additional Comments: Great, informative website.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your Ceiling Fan Question Frank.
How to Install Wiring for a Light Switch that controls a Ceiling Fan and Recessed Lights
Application: Wiring for a Ceiling Fan Switch and Recessed Lights.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate – Best performed by a Licensed Electrician.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience and ability to work with tools and electrical wiring.
Precaution: Identify the ceiling fan power source or circuit at the panel, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the switch wiring.
Materials: Make sure the switches for each device are fully compatible with the ceiling fan you have and the size of the lamps that will be installed in the fixture.
Wiring Method for a Ceiling Fan and Recessed Lights
- A separate wall switch will be required for the ceiling fan.
- A separate wall switch will be required for the recessed can light fixtures.
- The connection at the ceiling fan would leave one switched wire for the ceiling fan operation.
- The other switched wire which would connect to the 2-wire cable leading to the recessed cans lights.
- The white neutral wire is shared by both the ceiling fan and the recessed light fixtures.
- This is all assuming that the power and neutral originates at the wall switch box.
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Hi Bobby,
Please visit the 3way switch wiring diagrams found in the Wiring Diagrams section of this website. FYI 3way switches are often referred to as 2way, however they are basically the same thing.
Dave
Wiring diagram for a 2 way switch controlling a ceiling fan, then to a 2 way dimmer switch controlling recessed lighting in the same junction box.
Hi Lou,
Adding more light fixtures onto an existing circuit can be done only if the circuit has the capacity for the additional load. The load of the electrical circuit is the concern, however the same is true for the ceiling fan remote control, because it too has a load or watts limitation, and the remote must state that it is compatible with the GU-10 lamps as well. Adding an additional 200 watts onto the existing lighting load of the ceiling fan remote will most likely create an overload condition for that device, but the only way to know for sure is to look at the rating of the remote control.
Dave
Can I connect 4 recess GU-10, 50w. To a ceiling fan.
As of now I have a fan/light kit with a wall switcth. With pull chains for fan and light.
I would like to connect 4 of the recess 4″ GU-10 50w kits to a new fan that has a light kit. This new fan is operated by a remote only.
will this be safe to connect without overloading the breaker or switch?
I am hoping you will agree. I hope the remote will be able to operate the recess lights with the fan light.
Thanks in advance for any and all help.
Lou
Well Jay, it really isn’t too complicated.
If this were my job I would simply remove the recessed light fixture, then cap off and put the electrical wiring that lead to the recessed light fixture off to the side.
The opening from the recessed light fixture would be patched with sheet rock and as needed.
Install the new fluorescent light fixture.
Bring the electrical wire into the light fixture through one of the provided knock outs and an insulated bushing.
That’s pretty much the process.
Dave
I have a recess light that I would like to replace with a T8 Fluorescent strip light fixture
How can I do that?