Hello,

I am buying a new house (new construction) and I have a question regarding fan controls. I bought hunter fans (augusta III) and Hunter Ceiling fan controls (27182).

The control says it is for a 3 wire wall switch. Is that how switches are normally wired and will these controls work properly? I also saw controls for 2 wire switches.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

Thx
tpn87

Usually a switch needs 2 wires(not counting ground). If it is a three wire control, May be hot IN, and 1 out to light , and one to fan.(in a single device). Fan wiring may help explain.

IS your house wired for ceiling fans? How many wires are in the ceiling where the fans are installed, how many switches control them?

Ceiling fan wiring - Ceiling Fans N More (http://www.ceiling-fans-n-more.com/ceiling-fan-wiring.php)

I am not sure about this, and I haven't been able to query the electrician who wired the house and he is going to install the fans. The great room had a bracket installed in the ceiling that looks like it was for a ceiling fan, but I don't know about the wiring.

The two rooms where I would be using the controls have 12 foot ceilings, so I can't see how many wires they have.

As I mentioned, the controls I have are for three wire wall switches. Would I be smart to also purchase a couple of 2 wire controls to have on hand? That way, I'd have either one the electrician might need for the install.

Thanks for the responses :)





IS your house wired for ceiling fans? How many wires are in the ceiling where the fans are installed, how many switches control them?

Ceiling fan wiring - Ceiling Fans N More (http://www.ceiling-fans-n-more.com/ceiling-fan-wiring.php)

3 wire with ground = 4 wires, this is best for separate control of light & fan..
2 wire with ground = 3 wires, this will only control the operation of the fan & light together at the same time so when the light is on so will the fan and this to me is no good...
So you will need 3 wire with ground, I am not a electrician but I am sure this is correct

How many wall switches control each fan location?

If not fixed yet, you may be talking about a 3 way switch(allows switching at 2 locations, like stairs, or dimming of lights at 1 of 2 locations.
If it is a 3 way fan control(NOT light dimmer), can use 1 only.
You can use a 3 way control in place of single pole control, just more expensive.
Some questions from other responders, may help if answered(Switched from 1 location)?
If meant for a light, may need additional support.

Went into the house today. Here's what I see.

All of the boxes on the ceiling appear to have 4 wires in them. In the great room, there are 4 wall switches.

Master Bedrom, there are 2 wall switches. Othe bedrooms there is 1 wall switch.

Thanks again for all the comments!

Any place there are two wall switches, that don't control other things in the room, you can use a 3-wire wall switch. Any place that only has one switch, you need a 2-wire wall switch.

Ceiling fan remote controls - help and FAQ- Ceiling Fans N More (http://www.ceiling-fans-n-more.com/ceiling-fan-controls.php)

In the large room, possibly switched seperatly, The room with 4 wires at ceiling with 1 switch, May have 1 wire at ceiling for fan to be pull chain, and light on switch. I would get 2bulb holders and bulbs for testing. Then try each switch and note action. On the room with single switch, you may be able pull or push another wire in, then use a 3 wire dual control.
If 4" square box, with single gang mudring, you can carefully remove single gang Mudring, and replace with 2 gang mudring, allowing Separate control for light and fan.