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-   -   Switch broken or wiring problem? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=30034)

  • Jul 23, 2006, 07:44 AM
    bissers
    Switch broken or wiring problem?
    I originally try to install a ceiling fan with light but somehow messed up on the wiring. There are 3 sets of black and white + ground wires coming out for the octagon socket. It was connected to a light fixture but unfortunately my husband had took the plastic nuts off before I got a chance to take a look at which wire was connected to the light.

    At first my ceiling fan moved but can only be turned on and off by pull (meaning the lightswitch doesn't work but there is power running to the fan). This way the rest of the circuit doesn't work, it affected the power in my washroom as well. I tired different ways of wiring it and either I get power for the rest of the house or just power for the fan but not controlled by switch.

    In order to test out the connection, I decided to connected it back to the previous light fixture. I connected 1 black and 1 white and 2 blacks to the black wire coming from the light and 2 white to the white wire coming from the light. (I think that's how it was wired before.. I am pretty sure one black was to white) The power for the house seem to be fine and the light is on but it is not controlled by the switch! (cannot be turned off)

    I was wondering if I have wired it wrong or if the switch is fried when I was testing out the other wiring combination??

    I figure if I can get the light to work like it used to then I can use the same wiring combination for the fan.

    Anyhelp would be great.. thanks
  • Jul 23, 2006, 08:15 AM
    tkrussell
    Review the diagram I provided. Note that the white to the switch connects to the hot input, so that the black return will connect to the light.

    Your challenge is to:
    1. Find the 120 volt input.
    2. Determine which pair of black and white go to the switch.

    If you have a voltage tester to find the input, and a continuity tester to find the switch wiring, you can connect the fan/light.

    Hope this helps.
  • Jul 23, 2006, 11:33 AM
    bissers
    Thank you so much :D It took me a while but I rewired it as you suggested and it works perfect now :)

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