ask the electrician
Electrician Training Electrical Certification wiring recessed light fixtures Electrical Wiring Electrical Troubleshooting and Electrical Repairs wire outdoor light fixture Home Electrical Wiring Diagrams
wiring home generator and transfer switch wiring a 220 volt range cord outlet Wiring for GFCI Outlets Wiring Outlets and a Switched Outlet Wiring and Installing Ceiling Fans and Remote Controls wire dimmer switch wiring diagrams for switches wiring a dryer cord and 220 outlet circuit breaker panel
Electrical Wire and Cable


Wiring a Bath Exhaust Fan Speed Control


How To Slow Down or Control a Bath Exhaust Fan: Bathroom Exhaust Fan Speed Control Options. Options when an exhaust fan is too fast and a slower speed is needed, or a variable speed will work better.



Home Electrical Wiring Video

How To Hook Up a Generator to the House Panel
Using a Circuit Breaker Interlock Kit
for Backup Power

NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos
Will Display at the End of This Video
So Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!

Check out my YouTube Channel:
» AskTheElectrician «
and Subscribe!

Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example

Bathroom Exhaust Fan or Extractor Fan
[ad#block]  Electrical Question: My exhaust fan moves too much air  can I use to make it a 2-speed fan?

This electrical repair question came from: Ken, a Handyman from Calgary, Canada.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Ken.

How to Slow Down a Bath Exhaust Fan

Application: Installing a Bathroom Exhaust Fan Speed Control Switch
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced, best installed by a licensed electrical contractor.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and a Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and the access to the wall switch for the exhaust fan and if a larger switch box will be required.
Precaution: The bathroom exhaust fan circuit should be identified, turned OFF and Tagged with a Note before working with the wiring and installing the fan speed switch.

Control Options for a Bathroom Exhaust Fan

More about Electrical Wiring  for a Bath Exhaust Fan

Bathroom Electrical Wiring

Wiring Diagrams

wiring a switch
electrical-switches
Wiring a Light Switch – Diagram 1

How to Install Bathroom Electrical Wiring
electrical-wiring
Bathroom Electrical Wiring

Fully Explained Photos and Wiring Diagrams for Bathroom Electrical Wiring with Code Requirements for most new or remodel projects.


The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.


Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


More articles about Exhaust Fan and Home Electrical Wiring:
« Previous Next »
Ceiling Fan Wiring for a Wall Remote Control Adding Recessed Light Fixtures


FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

2 Responses to “Wiring a Bath Exhaust Fan Speed Control”
  1. Jerry says:

    I’m trying to replace a bathroom light fixture because the current fixture has stopped working. I Know very little about electricity. I found a breaker to shut off outlets in room, but exhaust fan does not shut down with any of the breakers I have tried. Is the exhaust fan and the lights on same circuit? If so, how do I power this down so I can safely change the fixture?

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Jerry,
    When replacing a light fixture your first measure of safety is to locate the circuit breaker that controls the circuit for the light fixture and turning it OFF, however making sure the light switch in the room is OFF would be OK when making the wiring connections only for the light fixture wires. If any other wiring is found in the light fixture junction box that will be involved in the light fixture wiring then the circuit breaker for the power source should be turned OFF. Weather the exhaust fan or outlets are on the same circuit breaker as the light fixture would depend on the age of the home and how it was wired, and this is best identified when using a voltage tester.
    Dave