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-   -   Ceiling fan install (3 way switch) (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=396416)

  • Sep 14, 2009, 01:29 PM
    jared81
    Ceiling fan install (3 way switch)
    I am trying to install a ceiling fan and am having trouble because I'm told that the 3 way switch is causes more difficulties.

    Fan wires:

    2 green (ground)
    White
    Blue
    Black

    House wires
    Red
    Black
    White
    Copper looking wire

    Please help!
  • Sep 14, 2009, 01:54 PM
    iamarcin

    Hopefully this will get you started till you get a better answer.

    The bare copper house wire is the ground wire.
    The red and the black will be the live(carry electricity) wires. White is neutral.

    I have never done one of these but I am guessing the blue one its for powering the fan while the black is for powering the light. That is for dimmers so that you can control light/fan speed at the switch on independent settings. I recommend you leave off the blue till you get the light working right and then connect the blue to the black.

    You can find plenty of diagrams on line just Google "3 way switch diagram"

    Example:
    Basic 3-Way Switch Diagram

    There are many possibilities to hook these up and its hard to figure out which set up you have without a tester.

    I recommend getting a simple power tester just for confidence sake for beginners. Just to see which wire is live with none connected. Where does the power come into the circuit 1st. It could be from the switch at the door(probably) or the ceiling light. Or you can use a simple light. Connect the plug... one prong to the black/red the other to the white wire and see where it lights up.
  • Sep 14, 2009, 03:02 PM
    donf
    [quote=jared81;1978527]I am trying to install a ceiling fan and am having trouble because I'm told that the 3 way switch is causes more difficulties.

    Fan wires:

    2 green (ground)
    White Neutral
    Blue Light
    Black Fan

    House wires
    Red Hot - Suggest Light
    Black Hot - Suggest Fan
    White Neutral to Fan/Light Neutral
    Copper looking wire Pigtail the two Greens and the bare wire together.[/quote]


    My concerns are the Red and Black conductors are actually being used as a feed and return circuits for the switched circuit. Can you tell me what conductors are physically attached to the existing switch?

    Do you see three sets of cabling. One for the fan appliance - one for the constant hot source and one fr the switch loop?
  • Sep 14, 2009, 06:17 PM
    ceilingfanrepair

    How many switches control the fan, and do they control the fan and light separately?

    You can try what Don suggests, it's my guess as well.

    Ceiling Fan Wiring - Ceiling Fans N More
  • Sep 14, 2009, 07:24 PM
    jared81
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ceilingfanrepair View Post
    How many switches control the fan, and do they control the fan and light separately?

    You can try what Don suggests, it's my guess as well.

    Ceiling Fan Wiring - Ceiling Fans N More



    I think just one. I'm not sure though, I'm a novice at this
  • Sep 14, 2009, 07:38 PM
    hkstroud

    Is the red black and white wires the only wires in the ceiling box?
    If so then white goes to white, black goes to black and red goes to blue. Or vice versa, can't tell from here.

    Three way switches are not a factor unless the travelers run through ceiling box. If they do then we just have to ask more questions.
    If you have more wires in the ceiling box tell us how many and what color.
  • Sep 14, 2009, 09:34 PM
    ceilingfanrepair

    Ok let me ask this question instead. What makes you think you have a "three way switch"?

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