I have a ceiling fan of undetermined manufacture and the light kit switch failed in the "on" position. The OE switch is a two-wire (both black) switch connected a blue wire hanging from the fan body the other to a white wire hanging from the fan body. The only switch the home center had, is a 3-wire switch, one red, one blue and one black. The light kit has 3 bulb sockets, with a white and black wire to each socket. I did not take this arrangement apart but find myself coming in to try to fix it. I have no way of knowing which wire connects to which and the instructions written by this genius company say: " be sure to match the wires of the new switch to the correct wires on the fan". How do I know which is which or should I trash this switch and try to locate a two wire switch? Testing the white and blue wires hanging from the fan body, they are "hot" using a circuit tester. Thanks.

The 3

You have the wrong switch, get a simple two wire switch. The wire bringing in the juice is black indicating its hot, the other wire is also black because when you pull the switch its too is hot to the fixture. From the fixture the blue and whiote go to the light and the black and white power the fan, somewhere you must have a second pull chain for the fan.

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Originally Posted by ballengerb1

You have the wrong switch, get a simple two wire switch. The wire bringing in the juice is black indicating its hot, the other wire is also black because when you pull the switch its too is hot to the fixture. From the fixture the blue and whiote go to the light and the black and white power the fan, somewhere you must have a second pull chain for the fan.

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Thanks for the fast reply. Great! This is the only type switch the local home store carries, but it will go back to them. I guess I'll have to go to a "real" electrical supply house to get the right switch. No more mystery.

Thanks, again!

You just need a basic two wire switch, as ballenger suggestions. You wire it exactly the same as the old switch.

Ceiling fan pull chain replacement and repair - Ceiling Fans N More

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Originally Posted by tojawent

Thanks for the fast reply. Great! This is the only type switch the local home store carries, but it will go back to them. I guess I'll have to go to a "real" electrical supply house to get the right switch. No more mystery.

Thanks, again!

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Found the correct switch at Home Depot, returned home and installed without incident. Thanks for your help, saved me from frustration and possible danger.

Glad you got it working.