Wiring a Switch for a Bath Exhaust Fan

How to Wire Bathroom Exhaust Fans and Switches: Adding a bath exhaust fan and timer switch to a bathroom.

Bath Exhaust Fan Wiring Diagrams
[ad#block]Electrical Question: I am trying to add a bath exhaust fan and timer switch to my bathroom.

• Currently, the bathroom has a vanity light that is powered at the fixture.
• There are two wires going to the switch (white & black), however I believe that the white is a hot neutral as both wires are connected to the switch terminals.
• At the fixture, there is a black hot (connected to a black going to the switch), a white neutral, and a black (assumed hot connected to a white going to the switch).
• How can I power the exhaust fan by tapping into the power source at the light fixture and wire a timer switch to operate the fan separate from the light?

Many thanks in advance for any assistance you are able to offer!

This electrical question came from: Craig, a Homeowner from Indianapolis, IN.
Additional Comments: Thank you for providing this resource!

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

Preparations for Wiring a Bathroom Exhaust Fan and Switches

• Application: Wiring Switches for a Bathroom Exhaust Fan and Light.
• 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 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.
• Notice: Modifying existing wiring or installing additional bathroom electrical wiring should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

How to Wire Bathroom Exhaust Fans and Switches

• The links below will help you with your bathroom exhaust fan project.
• Wiring a spring wound timer switch with two wires is the same as wiring a regular single light switch.

Wiring bath exhaust fans

• Installing Your Bath Exhaust Fan
• Answers to all of your questions about installing a bath exhaust fan and your bathroom exhaust fan replacement project.
• Bath Exhaust Fan
• Bathroom Electrical Wiring
• Light Switch Wiring
• Wiring Diagrams
• Electrical Wire for the Home

Electrical Wire for the Home
Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.

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. 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.

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Electrical Wiring for Two GFCI Outlets	How Outlets Switches and Fixtures Should be Wired