Wiring for a Bathroom Exhaust Fan

The Basics of Installing Electrical Wiring for a Bathroom Exhaust Fan: Answers to all of your questions about installing a bath exhaust fan and your bathroom exhaust fan replacement project.

Wiring a Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Electrical Question: I am wiring a bath exhaust fan that also has a light.

• I have mounted the housing, planned the duct work and am in the process of getting ready to wire the fan.
• I would call myself a genuine DIY with very little experience wiring anything other than replacing receptacles and a few single pole switches.
• Basically the diagram in the directions for my fan doesn’t seem very clear so I need help with the wiring.
• My intentions are to control the fan and light with one switch but I want to keep this separate from the existing recessed lighting above the sink area.
• What is the easiest way to wire this, and what type of switch do I need to get in order to accomplish this.
• I do have a Ground Fault receptacle close to the existing switch for the recessed lighting.

Thanks!

This electrical question came from: Brian, a Homeowner from Goshen, Kentucky.

Additional Comments: Great site. Very informative and easy to read. I am definitely adding it to my favorites. Thanks for the info.

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

Wiring for a Bathroom Exhaust Fan

Application: Wiring Switches for a Bathroom Exhaust Fan and Light.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical project is best installed by a Licensed Electrician.
Tools Required: Electricians Tools, Pouch of 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 and an bath exhaust fan should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

The Basics of Installing Electrical Wiring for a Bathroom Exhaust Fan

• Bathroom Exhaust Fan
  • A combination lighted exhaust fan is a great addition for the bathroom to help reduce moisture and control odors, and a standard exhaust fan may not require a dedicated circuit.
• Powering the Exhaust Fan
  • In most cases the electrical circuit for the bathroom light fixture may be used to power the lighted exhaust fan as long as the existing circuit has the required amperage available.
• Switches for Exhaust Fans and Combo Exhaust Fans
  • A tandem switch, stack switch, or triple switch may be used to consolidate two or three switches into a single gang box as long as the switch box meets the requirements for the number of wires and the size of the light switch.

Electrical Wiring Procedure for Bathroom Exhaust Fans

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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

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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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