I tried to wire an on/off switch for my attic fan which has a thermostat.
As soon as I turn on the switch the breaker trips. I thought the switch was shorting out so I tried another switch but the breaker tripped again.

If I remove the switch from the circuit the fan works fine.

Is there some reason I can't wire a switch for a fan with a thermostat ?

Any help would be appreciated.

Dave

Remove switch, with breaker off, connect two wires, turn on breaker, trips? Probably
Not switch problem.
Almost sounds like maybe switching hot to neutral?
Switch needs to have hot on one screw, and other to black(or hot wire) to fan.
The whites should be together, and not connect to switch.

I think start is correct, you have the switch wired across hot and neutral. Power source black > switch > fan black > fan white > power source white.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dundave1

I tried to wire an on/off switch for my attic fan which has a thermostat.
As soon as I turn on the switch the breaker trips. I thought the switch was shorting out so I tried another switch but the breaker tripped again.

If I remove the switch from the circuit the fan works fine.

Is there some reason I can't wire a switch for a fan with a thermostat ?

Any help would be appreciated.

Dave

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Stratmando & Ceillingfanrepair,
Thanks for the replies. I figured out what I was doing wrong.
My attic fan has a thermostat. I had wired the switch between the power source and the thermostat, which kept tripping the breaker ( I'm guessing due to impedance, but I don't really know, if someone can explain why, I'd appreciate it.). I rewired the switch between the thermostat and the fan motor and now everything works as it should.

Thanks,

Dave

How many wires does the thermostat have? Maybe it has a neutral connection.