View Full Version : How do I wire a ceiling fan with multiple independent lights
robertr08
Jun 5, 2008, 05:39 AM
My ceiling fan (unknown brand) has a four light cluster and one light that hangs beneath the four. The fan runs fine, but I am having trouble wiring the lights. There is one black and one white wire coming from the fan assembly to the light fixtures. Each light has a black and a white wire... not confusing yet. The pull switch has a black wire, a blue wire, and a red wire coming from it. I am hoping to have the lights work independently from the fan by the pull switch. I tried to make a diagram, but this site scattered my data... best I could do here.
From
Ceiling fan
Assembly
______1 white____
______1 black____
Switch
______1 blue_____
______1 red______
______1 black____
4 lights
(upper)
______4 white_____
______4 black_____
1 light
(lower)
______1 white_____
______1 black_____
We have considered not installing this bottom light fixture. (hangs below in center)
Stratmando
Jun 5, 2008, 06:50 AM
I would use a Meter to check switching, May be the type switch that does one light or set of lights, another pull does other set, another pull lights all lights, and final pull is off. Say black is common, that goes to black from fan, blue could go to single light, red could go to other lights, all whites tie together.
If you eleminate bottom center light, you could have 2 opposite lights on one pull, and the other 2 opposing lights be the second pull.
robertr08
Jun 5, 2008, 09:12 AM
Thanks for your response, but not quite the answer I am looking for. With the wires I've listed I need to know which ones go together to simply turn the lights on and off with the pull chain switch independent of the fan. The black and white wires from the fan assembly are obvious. What I need to know is how to connect the red and blue with the black and white wire from the lights so that the switch will operate the lights.
ceilingfanrepair
Jun 5, 2008, 10:27 AM
Question: Does the pullchain switch in question control just the lights, or the lights AND the fan? What make is the fan?
This is a very easy answer I just need these details.
ceilingfanrepair
Jun 5, 2008, 10:28 AM
ASSUMING that the pullchain is JUST for the lights, and the fan is not a Casablanca.. .
Black from fan - black from pullchain
Blue from pullchain - black from center light
Red from pullchain - 4 blacks from 4 other lights
All whites together.
robertr08
Jun 5, 2008, 10:37 AM
Thank you for the details. I do not know the make or model of the fan. The pull chain switch is dedicated to the lights. The fan has it's own pull chain for speed settings and a slide switch for forward and reverse. The fan is fine and everything I am doing is below the fan assembly seemingly independent except for the white and black wires descending to the light fixture. Thanks again... I'll try this configuration. The most than can go wrong is a popped breaker.
Stratmando
Jun 5, 2008, 11:19 AM
As long as you don't hook whites to switch the breaker should not pop.
Sounds like all you need is a pull switch with 2 wires.
ceilingfanrepair
Jun 5, 2008, 11:28 AM
Try what I suggested.
Ceiling fan pull chain replacement and repair - Ceiling Fans N More (http://www.ceiling-fans-n-more.com/ceiling-fan-pullchain-replacement-and-repair.php)
robertr08
Jun 5, 2008, 11:59 AM
I connected the wires as suggested by "ceilingfanrepair" and everything works, but not independently. I'm guessing that it may be a faulty switch. I'm going to just leave it as it is right now until I purchase a new switch which most likely will come with wiring instructions. Thanks to all for their time and help. Have a great day! -Robert
ceilingfanrepair
Jun 5, 2008, 03:51 PM
The way I suggested should give you
First pull, center light
Second pull, outer lights
Third pull, both
Fourth pull, off
robertr08
Jun 5, 2008, 05:44 PM
I did as you suggested and I appreciate your help. I do believe that the switch is faulty because it doesn't even turn the lights off. You can pull the chain as long as you want and nothing changes. It is as if everything is wired direct. I'll get a new switch and wire it as you suggested along with the instructions as a reference. Thanks again. -Robert
ceilingfanrepair
Jun 5, 2008, 08:19 PM
Make sure you didn't mix up two of the black wires. The switch wasn't new?
robertr08
Jun 7, 2008, 11:46 AM
I replaced the switch with a new one, wired it as suggested and everything works just fine. The fan works and both sets of lights work independently. Thanks for the help.
Fr_Chuck
Jun 7, 2008, 02:19 PM
Thread closed since OP was happy with the answer received
ceilingfanrepair
Jun 8, 2008, 11:51 AM
What all did I miss?