Connect Two Wall Lights To A Ceiling Fan Power With An Independent Switch

Ceiling fan as a power source

If installing new lights in a room which contains a ceiling fan, it is possible to piggy-back power from the ceiling fan. This power can then be routed through an independent wall switch and on to the light fixture(s). If wired properly the ceiling fan will operate completely independently from the new switch and lights. Also, the electrical controls for the ceiling fan will have no effect on the new light(s).

Instructions

1. Turn off all power to the area. This is best done at the circuit breaker panel to insure all power is turned off. This is more reliable than relying on a wall switch which can be mistakenly turned back on before work is completed. Test the circuit to be certain power is indeed off before starting work.

2. Remove the ceiling fan motor cover. Use the screw driver to loosen the cover and expose the wiring harness beneath. There will be a power wire coming in from the attic. This wire should contain a black, white, green and red wire. The green wire may be a bare copper wire and is the ground wire. These wires will be connected to a black and white wire powering the fan motor. There will also be a third wire, normally blue which will power any light kit mounted on the fan. The blue wire should be connected to the red power wire. Locate all of these wires before continuing.

3. Route the wire from the new light fixtures and switch to the ceiling fan. The wire should go from the ceiling fan, to the wall switch, then on to the light fixtures. This wire should also contain a white, black, and green/bare wire. Tie all the white wires together and secure them with a wire nut. Do the same with the ground wires. Leave the existing black wires as they are. Tie the new black wire in with the blue and red wire, securing them with a wire nut. Be certain no bare wire is exposed beneath the wire nut.

4. Replace the fan motor cover, being certain all wiring is carefully tucked inside. With the fan back together turn the power back on and test all elements of the circuit. The fan should operate as before and the new wall switch should operate the new light fixtures without affecting the ceiling fan operation.

Tags: wall switch, wire should, light fixtures, bare wire, black white, blue wire