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-   -   Ceiling box wiring (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=691552)

  • Aug 7, 2012, 03:32 PM
    krazzina
    Ceiling box wiring
    In the ceiling box there are 3 black wires ponied together. 2 white wires are ponied and a third white wire is separate. The existing light had 3 globes, each globe had 2 white wires. One white wire from each globe was ponied with the single white ceiling wire. The other 3 white globe wires ponied with the 2 white ponied wires in the ceiling box. My new ceiling fan has no remote. The new fan has one black, white, green, and black with white strip. How do I install this item?
  • Aug 7, 2012, 06:29 PM
    hkstroud
    I think there are some discrepancies in you post and in your wiring.

    Quote:

    The existing light had 3 globes, each globe had 2 white wires
    Both wires from each globe will not be white. One is probably black and just has paint on it. It's a moot point because you will no longer be using the fixture.

    The two white wires bundled together from the ceiling are your neutral. One is the neutral coming to the box and the other is the neutral going on to another fixture.

    Two of the three black wires that are bundled together are your hot wires. One brings power to the box and the other takes power to another fixture. The third black wire in that bundle takes power to the switch.

    The stand alone white wire is bringing power back from the switch.

    This is where the error is.

    The white wire should have been used to take power to the switch and the black to bring it back. The electricity of course, does not care what color the wire is, but us humans need to know how wires are being used. Had it been done properly you wouldn't be so confused now.

    So, put a piece of black tape on the white stand alone wire or color the end of it with a black marker. That will tell the next person or you, if you forget, that this is a hot wire, not a neutral. This is required by NEC code.

    Separate the three black wires and remove the black going to the switch. The black going to the switch will be in the same cable as the white wire you just put the tape on. Connect the other two black wires and the white with the black tape together.

    When installing your fan connect the white wire from the fan to the two white wires bundled together.

    Connect the black wire from the fan to the three wire bundle (two black and one white with tape.)

    Connect the black with white stripe wire from the fan to the black (now stand alone) from the switch.

    The fan will have power all the time and will be controlled by the pull chain.
    The light will have power only when the switch is on.

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