Log in

View Full Version : Ceiling Fan/Light with 1 switch to 2 switches


blacksnow
Mar 13, 2015, 11:00 AM
Hi, I'm pretty new in this forum and also in electrical stuffs.

Please help me with the situation below:

A bed room with a ceiling fan/light combo controlled by 1 single switch. Power comes into the fan/light combo with 2-wire cable. Switch is also connected with a 2-wire cable. Please see attached for more detail.

I would like to change to:

Install 4 recessed light. With light 1 and 2 and the fan/light combo controlled by 1 switch. Light 3 & 4 controlled by another switch.

I believe I do need to replace the cable from the switch to a 3-wire cable.

Please take a look at the attached to see if the diagram is OK, and help me with the wiring at each end, (switch, box, lights)

Or if you have a better and more simple wiring, please show me!

Very appreciated!
Blacksnow

hkstroud
Mar 13, 2015, 05:25 PM
Try this

blacksnow
Mar 13, 2015, 05:46 PM
Is it possible not touching the fan/light combo? I really don't want to touch it.

hkstroud
Mar 13, 2015, 06:12 PM
Your drawing shows an extra box. All the wiring connections could be made in that box but that box must remain accessible. Plus you would have to run 3 conductor cable between the box and the fan/light box. Wiring is not as complex as it may appear.

You run a 3 conductor cable from the fan/light box to the switches. You connect the incoming power neutral (white) to the whites going to light 1 and 3, with a pigtail for the fan/light.

You connect the in coming power hot (black) to the white of the 3-conductor cable to the switches (to be used as a hot) with a pigtail for the fan. You connect one of the hots in the 3 conductor cable (either black or red) to black going to light 1 and with a pigtail for the fan light. You connect the other hot in the 3 conductor cable to the black going to light 3.

At the switches you connect the white to one side of each switch. Connect the hots to the other side of the switches.

blacksnow
Mar 14, 2015, 12:08 AM
Thanks hkstroud (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/members/hkstroud.html)!
Will try that probably this wknd and let you know the result!
Thank you very much for the help! :)

blacksnow
Mar 16, 2015, 12:22 AM
Is there a difference if I replace the switch for light 3 &4 (not connected to fan/light) with a dimmer switch? Should the wiring at the switch stay the same?

Thanks!

hkstroud
Mar 16, 2015, 04:36 AM
Wiring stays the same. Just use dimmer switch. If you wish you can also use dimmer for fan light/light 1/light 2 combination.
The fan itself does not go through any switch. It will be controlled by the pull chain.

blacksnow
Mar 16, 2015, 09:01 AM
Thank you sir!