View Full Version : Changing ceiling fan/light with light
Tilla24
Dec 17, 2011, 09:41 AM
I am changing out a ceilig fan/light with a light temporarily (until I get new fan/light). The ceiling box has 5 wires Black, White, Red, Green and stripped copper. The light has 3 wires Black, White & Green. I know I connect Black to Black, White to White, Green to green with stripped copper. But what do I do with the red? Should I cap it off until I replace the fan/light or do I connect it to the blacks?
ma0641
Dec 17, 2011, 11:58 AM
Cap it off and put it back in the box. If you have red and black, you should also have 2 switches, one of which is the red. You will use the red again, for the fan or light.
Tilla24
Dec 18, 2011, 06:24 AM
Thank you very much. That is what I did. There are two switches and yes I will need it for later. However the red and black must be switched. When I connected black to black, the original switch for the fan is now the light. My son thinks this is cool because he has a mood light. The light switches on in 3 stages. I don't believe this will really hurt anything right? I figure the only way to put it back to the original switch for the light is to redo the wiring and connect the black of the light to the red of the box. Yes?
ma0641
Dec 18, 2011, 01:57 PM
Tilla, yes, they probably used a 14/3 wire which has a red and a black, saves running 2 wires. Either one will work but the 3 position switch was most likely connected to the fan for speed control. Everything is fine as is. If my answer helped, please click on the green "helpful" Thanks.