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View Full Version : Wiring a ceiling fan to 2 switches


mitchedmo
Jan 19, 2010, 08:00 AM
I have seen several postings with this same problem, but can someone please put it in easy to follow terms... here is my question...
I am installing a ceiling fan that is controlled by 3 switches (1 for the light, one for the fan, and 1 on another wall for the light). I have the following wires coming from my ceiling (2 Black, 2 White, 2 Ground, 1 red). The fan has 1 black, 1 white, and 1 blue... how do I hook the wires up correctly...
Thanks in advance...

delber
Jan 19, 2010, 08:29 AM
You will need to figure out where the wires in your box come from. Which wires go to which switch etc. Your three wires for the fan most likely are one black being the hot, the other two are probably neutral lines. International wiring code the blue wire is common while Brown is hot. It may be that they have the blue wire as a hot wire for either your light or for the fan you'll have to figure it out. Basic wiring you need 2 leads. One hot and one neutral. Imagine your fan as two separate lines. For your light you have two switches. You will probably need to attach the red wire to one of the black wires in your box to power the other switch, but you'll have to figure out where your wires are going and or coming. To help you figure this all out I'd refer to a diagram on this web site. http://www.ask-the-electrician.com/wiring-3-way-switch-diagram.html
You will probably have a diagram for your fan also that will tell you what wires do what. I hope this helps.

ceilingfanrepair
Jan 27, 2010, 01:49 AM
Delber is correct about one thing-- you need to figure out where your wires are coming from.

What was there before the fan, and how was it wired?