Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    Dditmer14's Avatar
    Dditmer14 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Jan 17, 2011, 12:44 PM
    Two switches but can only use 1 at a time
    I have a light switch and a fan switch next to each other in the same outlet box. You can only use one at a time. For instance, if the light is on and you flip the fan switch, the light goes off and the fan comes on and vice versa. How do I fix this?
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #2

    Jan 17, 2011, 12:52 PM

    Now that's a strange one. Sounds like some one "less than experienced" wire it. Pull switches and tell us what how many and what wires you have in the switch box.
    ma0641's Avatar
    ma0641 Posts: 15,675, Reputation: 1012
    Uber Member
    		  
    #3

    Jan 17, 2011, 02:53 PM
    Usually 1 hot wire is pigtailed to another switch. Look at the switches. Does either not say ON and OFF?
    Dditmer14's Avatar
    Dditmer14 Posts: 2, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    Jan 17, 2011, 05:40 PM
    Comment on hkstroud's post
    It is wired like this. The light switch has wire going to the top screw and a wire going to the bottom screw. The fan has a wire going to the top screw and a wire going to the bottom screw. It.also has a separate wire joining the 2 bottom screws.
    hkstroud's Avatar
    hkstroud Posts: 11,929, Reputation: 899
    Home Improvement & Construction Expert
    		  
    #5

    Jan 17, 2011, 07:20 PM

    Need to know which wires are connected. By two bottom screws do you mean the green ground screws.
    How many wires come into the box?

    Pull switches out of the box.
    Take a picture.
    donf's Avatar
    donf Posts: 5,679, Reputation: 582
    Printers & Electronics Expert
    		  
    #6

    Jan 17, 2011, 07:57 PM

    Actually Ma0641 does know what he is talking about, it is you who misunderstood the reasons for his question.

    "Look at the switches... " A single pole, single throw toggle switch will have the words On/Off embossed on the handle. Two way, three way and four way switches will not. Understanding the type of switch in the circuit is important.

    "Pigtail" is a term used to describe a connection method. In this situation Ma is asking you if you have one source wire to the switch outlet that is connected to two smaller wires. One would go to the bottom of the fan switch and the other would go to the bottom of the light switch.

    The top wire on the fan switch would in turn connect to the black on the fan. The top wire on the light switch would in turn connect to the blue for the light package.

    Harold also made a reasonable request. Take pictures of both the ceiling outlet box and the switches, after they have been pulled out of their box.

    The separate wire you describe may be the bare copper grounding wire that should be connected to the small screws on the lower part of the yoke.

    CAUTION, turn off the breaker or remove the fuse prior to removing any parts of the circuit.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Why do my lighted rocker switches flicker ? I don't know the model # of the switches. [ 3 Answers ]

Why do my lighted rocker switches flicker ? I don't know the model # and they are 3-4 years old. THANKS

Three-Way Switches [ 4 Answers ]

I currently have a three-way switch controlling 2 sets of outside flood lights. I want to add a third set of outside flood lights. What is the easiest way to wire this third set? Do I need three conductor wire going to this light fixture?

Three way switches [ 1 Answers ]

I'm wiring my basement and have two three-way switches in a two gang box. The left switch (S1) and another 3-way control four recessed lights. I want the switch on the right of the box (S2) to control another set of recessed lights. I want to power S2 using jumpers from S1. Is this possible? If...

Switches on and then off [ 13 Answers ]

When switching on my PC, it starts up, the screen flashes and then it goes off again. I tried starting in safe mode, same thing happens, it just starts up and then goes off and there is nothing, completely dead I am using Windows XP I have tried taking all the plugs out and putting back in -...

Switches [ 1 Answers ]

I have a lite at the top of the stairs with one switch for it at the top. I want to and a secong switch at the bottom of the stairs. I believe the incoming power it at the switch (top of stairs) How do I add a second swich to control lite?

View more questions Search