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View Full Version : Hampton Bay CeilingFan/Light, not connected to wall switch


Jerry Rigg
Jan 17, 2007, 01:47 PM
We have an older home (built in early 40s). We had a ceiling fan/light where the light was controlled by the wall switch but the fan was controlled by the chain hanging from it. I replaced the ceilingfan with a new Hampton Bay fan. Now, the fan AND the light have nothing to do with the wall switch, but are controlled by their respective chains hanging from the unit. #1. is this dangerous? #2. How can I control both the fan and the light from the wall switch?

There were 3 wires from the ceiling: Ground, Neutral, and Hot.
I connected from the fan to the ceiling: ground to ground, 2 neutrals to neutral, 2 hots to hot.

Any ideas? Or is it time to call an electrician and have the house rewired?

ceilingfanrepair
Jan 17, 2007, 02:03 PM
If the fan and light were controlled separately, you have two hot leads and one neutral. However it is possible it was incorrectly wired in the past and the ground wire is being used as a hot or neutral.

First, check to see if there are any additional wires in the box besides the three you mention. If there are not you need to get a volt meter and determine which wires are hots and which are neutrals/ground. One of them will be switched.

It is not dangerous if it is wired correctly, but if it is wired incorrectly it can be.

WAIT: as I read back over, I am confused. The fan has two hots and two neutrals? It should have two hots and ONE neutral.

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