View Full Version : Ceiling fan install (3 way switch)
jared81
Sep 14, 2009, 01:29 PM
I am trying to install a ceiling fan and am having trouble because I'm told that the 3 way switch is causes more difficulties.
Fan wires:
2 green (ground)
White
Blue
Black
House wires
Red
Black
White
Copper looking wire
Please help!
iamarcin
Sep 14, 2009, 01:54 PM
Hopefully this will get you started till you get a better answer.
The bare copper house wire is the ground wire.
The red and the black will be the live(carry electricity) wires. White is neutral.
I have never done one of these but I am guessing the blue one its for powering the fan while the black is for powering the light. That is for dimmers so that you can control light/fan speed at the switch on independent settings. I recommend you leave off the blue till you get the light working right and then connect the blue to the black.
You can find plenty of diagrams on line just Google "3 way switch diagram"
Example:
Basic 3-Way Switch Diagram (http://www.electrical-online.com/3waydiagram.htm)
There are many possibilities to hook these up and its hard to figure out which set up you have without a tester.
I recommend getting a simple power tester just for confidence sake for beginners. Just to see which wire is live with none connected. Where does the power come into the circuit 1st. It could be from the switch at the door(probably) or the ceiling light. Or you can use a simple light. Connect the plug... one prong to the black/red the other to the white wire and see where it lights up.
donf
Sep 14, 2009, 03:02 PM
I am trying to install a ceiling fan and am having trouble because I'm told that the 3 way switch is causes more difficulties.
Fan wires:
2 green (ground)
White Neutral
Blue Light
Black Fan
House wires
Red Hot - Suggest Light
Black Hot - Suggest Fan
White Neutral to Fan/Light Neutral
Copper looking wire Pigtail the two Greens and the bare wire together.
My concerns are the Red and Black conductors are actually being used as a feed and return circuits for the switched circuit. Can you tell me what conductors are physically attached to the existing switch?
Do you see three sets of cabling. One for the fan appliance - one for the constant hot source and one fr the switch loop?
ceilingfanrepair
Sep 14, 2009, 06:17 PM
How many switches control the fan, and do they control the fan and light separately?
You can try what Don suggests, it's my guess as well.
Ceiling Fan Wiring - Ceiling Fans N More (http://www.ceiling-fans-n-more.com/ceiling-fan-wiring.php)
jared81
Sep 14, 2009, 07:24 PM
How many switches control the fan, and do they control the fan and light separately?
You can try what Don suggests, it's my guess as well.
Ceiling Fan Wiring - Ceiling Fans N More (http://www.ceiling-fans-n-more.com/ceiling-fan-wiring.php)
I think just one. I'm not sure though, I'm a novice at this
hkstroud
Sep 14, 2009, 07:38 PM
Is the red black and white wires the only wires in the ceiling box?
If so then white goes to white, black goes to black and red goes to blue. Or vice versa, can't tell from here.
Three way switches are not a factor unless the travelers run through ceiling box. If they do then we just have to ask more questions.
If you have more wires in the ceiling box tell us how many and what color.
ceilingfanrepair
Sep 14, 2009, 09:34 PM
Ok let me ask this question instead. What makes you think you have a "three way switch"?