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Wiring a Light Switch for a Bathroom Exhaust Fan and Light

How to Wire an Exhaust Fan and Switches: Wiring an Exhaust Fan with a Light Fixture Using a Combo Switch.

Wiring a Separate Light Switch for a Bathroom Combo Light and Exhaust Fan
[ad#block]Electrical Question: How can I wire an exhaust fan with a light fixture so the fan is switched on with one switch and the light is controlled by a separate switch?

This Electrical Wiring question came from: Dakota, a Contractor from Little Rock, Arkansas.
Additional Comments: Thank you.

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

How to Wire an Exhaust Fan and Switches

Preparations
Application: Wiring Stack Switches or Triple Switches for a Bathroom Exhaust Fan and Light.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical project is best performed by a Licensed Electrician.
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 wiring for the wall switch for the exhaust fan and if a larger switch box will be required.
Precaution: The combo 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.

Wiring an Exhaust Fan with a Light Fixture Using a Combo Switch

  1. As long as the bathroom exhaust fan and light have separate wire leads or connections in the exhaust fan junction box then a separate wire will be necessary for the separate control for the light fixture.
  2. For example: when the power source is present at the wall switch box, the a 3-wire cable would be installed from the light switch box up to the bathroom exhaust fan unit.
  3. The light and fan would share the neutral, however there would be a separate wire for the fan, and a separate wire for the light.
  4. So back at the wall switch box, two switches will be required, or one stack-switch could be installed if there is only one space available.

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