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View Full Version : Wiring fan with (2) 3-way switches


dougfunnie13
Dec 15, 2010, 01:03 PM
Right now the fan is controlled by a remote, but the previous owners took the remote with them so I am wanting to get rid of the controller and just use the 3-way switches and chains to do what I want. I should also note that beside the 2 3-way switches there is a single pole switch that doesn't control anything at the moment.

At the fan coming from the switch I have a bare ground, white, red, and gray. The gray is capped,

Coming from the fan is a blue, black, and white.

Any suggestions on how to wire the fan?

ma0641
Dec 15, 2010, 03:16 PM
First you will have to test to see what is the hot lead controlled by the 3 way, I would guess red. Check to see if the single pole controls the grey wire. If so, connect the 3 way power to the blue wire and the grey to black, if it is hot, white to white, ground to fan base. That way, you meet code with the lighting and you can use the fan or not. If the grey is non functional, connect black and blue to hot and use the pull chain to control the fan. You need to have the light controlled at the room entrance.

dougfunnie13
Dec 15, 2010, 03:49 PM
Thank you, that makes sense. I'm a novice at this... how do I go about testing the hot lead?

dougfunnie13
Dec 15, 2010, 03:50 PM
Thank you, that makes sense. I'm a novice at this... how do I go about testing the hot lead?

ma0641
Dec 16, 2010, 11:02 AM
You will need a test light or neon tester with alligator clips or use a volt ohm meter. With the power off, clip one lead to the red and one to the white. Turn on the power and see if the switch turns the light on and off. If so, connect as stated. Check the grey and white the same way. A VOM is a device used to measure voltage, resistance, current etc. You can get an inexpensive one at HD or Lowe's or Harbor Freight for <$10. Use the 200 AC scale and connect the same way. Voltage should read 120VAC. Be careful with hot leads, that's why I use alligator clips, you don't need to hold the power leads in your hand. You can make a test light very easily. Look in the electrical dept's for a "temporary light". It looks like a lamp socket with a rubber cover and 2 wires, black and white. Put 2 alligator clips on and a small 15 watt bulb. Good luck and please come back if you have any more questions and let us know how it turns out. Brian