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-   -   Changing ceiling fan/light with light (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=620355)

  • Dec 17, 2011, 09:41 AM
    Tilla24
    Changing ceiling fan/light with light
    I am changing out a ceilig fan/light with a light temporarily (until I get new fan/light). The ceiling box has 5 wires Black, White, Red, Green and stripped copper. The light has 3 wires Black, White & Green. I know I connect Black to Black, White to White, Green to green with stripped copper. But what do I do with the red? Should I cap it off until I replace the fan/light or do I connect it to the blacks?
  • Dec 17, 2011, 11:58 AM
    ma0641
    Cap it off and put it back in the box. If you have red and black, you should also have 2 switches, one of which is the red. You will use the red again, for the fan or light.
  • Dec 18, 2011, 06:24 AM
    Tilla24
    Thank you very much. That is what I did. There are two switches and yes I will need it for later. However the red and black must be switched. When I connected black to black, the original switch for the fan is now the light. My son thinks this is cool because he has a mood light. The light switches on in 3 stages. I don't believe this will really hurt anything right? I figure the only way to put it back to the original switch for the light is to redo the wiring and connect the black of the light to the red of the box. Yes?
  • Dec 18, 2011, 01:57 PM
    ma0641
    Tilla, yes, they probably used a 14/3 wire which has a red and a black, saves running 2 wires. Either one will work but the 3 position switch was most likely connected to the fan for speed control. Everything is fine as is. If my answer helped, please click on the green "helpful" Thanks.

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