Ask Experts Questions for FREE Help !
Ask
    Tyrant53's Avatar
    Tyrant53 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Apr 20, 2009, 01:24 PM
    Controlling a single inline exhaust fan from two separate light circuits
    I don't believe this issue is unique, but I'm having trouble finding a solution.

    I have a small two piece bathroom existing. It has lighting and an existing in ceiling exhaust fan (which is noisy).

    I am adding a shower in the adjoining room and rather than install another ceiling fan, have purchased a 4" inline fan that I will connect to the existing ductwork and run a new line to the shower room. I will be adding another light to the second room, now here is my issue:

    I'd like to use the two light circuits to control the fan. I.e. when either or both lights are on. Every drawing I've tried end up with all devices effectively in parallel, which means all would be on when either or both switches are thrown.

    I can't access the first circuits anywhere other than at the original fan and all wire is 14/2.

    I thought a relay may be an option, using the original fan line as one of the controls, however haven't found any that would fit my application.

    Any ideas would be appreciated
    Dpfiling's Avatar
    Dpfiling Posts: 18, Reputation: 2
    New Member
    		  
    #2

    Apr 22, 2009, 02:15 AM

    Tyrant 53:

    You can do this by using a 2-pole switch in each bathroom. On one side of the switch in each bathroom you connect the light for that room. On the other side of the switches you connect the fan, with the switches in parallel. You can pick up the power from the existing fan location or another switch. You will need to get a neutral to the fan motor, and get the fan's switch legs to each bathroom.

    I hope this helps. Let me know if you need more assistance.
    Tyrant53's Avatar
    Tyrant53 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Apr 22, 2009, 05:55 AM
    Thanks for the simple solution Dpfiling! Since the outputs of the fan sides of the switches is the same electrical point, I can run a single 14/2 over to the fan... great solution.
    ceilingfanrepair's Avatar
    ceilingfanrepair Posts: 5,733, Reputation: 109
    Uber Member
    		  
    #4

    Apr 22, 2009, 10:54 AM

    I would assume this would only be safe if both circuits are on the same breaker?
    Tyrant53's Avatar
    Tyrant53 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #5

    Apr 22, 2009, 01:21 PM
    Yes, it's a dedicated 20A line that I was using for a freezer that was in the second room. I'll split the common black across the two switches with some three conductor lines then run the lights and fan from the new switch box. Just need to mark the additional circuit details on the appropriate breaker.
    Tev's Avatar
    Tev Posts: 232, Reputation: 20
    Full Member
    		  
    #6

    Apr 22, 2009, 05:49 PM

    I think I would just put the fans on their own switches and use 3-ways to control them. I hate the added noise of a fan running when it isn't needed which happens when the fans are controlled together with the lights.
    Tyrant53's Avatar
    Tyrant53 Posts: 5, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #7

    Apr 24, 2009, 10:57 AM
    You can't hear the inline fan; it's in the furnace room, and I want the fan on when either or both lights are on. These are inside rooms with no other means of ventilation.
Not your question? Ask your question View similar questions
 

Question Tools Search this Question
Search this Question:

Advanced Search

Add your answer here.


Check out some similar questions!

Single socket switch controlling multiple lights? [ 9 Answers ]

HI folks, My wife picked up a lamp at a yard sale. It has three "night-light-sized" bulbs at the base behind glass, then a small glass table / shelf, then the main stalk, and one large 3-way light at the top (with lamp shade). The problem is that the 3 lights at the bottom never worked,...

Single parent: how should I separate the time btwn myself & his father? [ 2 Answers ]

I'm thinking of breaking it off with the father and want to know if I was to do so, how should I divide the time up btwn the 2 of us? I hate the fact the he has to keep going back and forth btwn us 2 but it's reality if the parents aren't together anymore.. right? I don't what him to stay with the...

1 Light Switch controls 2 lights-Want Separate swiches for each light. [ 2 Answers ]

I have a light switch that controls both the foyer and the front porch. I would like to separate this so that I have a separate switch for the front porch and the foyer as sometimes I would like to have the front porch light on without the beaming bright light in the foyer. The light switch has an...

Trying to change a single pole light switch to a single pole swith with a light below [ 5 Answers ]

I have a kitchen light and a basement light that are together in one electrical box, but are on single switches. I purchased a "single pole switch and pilot light" combination so I could see easily if the basement light is on. In the box there is a black, red and white wire. For the single pole...

Basement wiring (question of separate circuits) [ 15 Answers ]

Hi, I will be wiring my basement soon (about 1400sqf) with one family/TV room, a bedroom, an office and a bathroom. They ran only one 15AMP circuit that currently operates basement lights (8 of them) and 2 GFI outlets. They also put each bedroom upstairs on a separete circuit breaker with a...

View more questions Search