Ceiling fans frequently combine with overhead lighting.
Ceiling fans come in several configurations and the different wiring methods they may require depend on the intended use and existing wiring already in place. The wiring method used must comply with electric codes and with the manufacturer's instructions or the warranty may be voided. Ceiling fan wiring is easy enough and safe enough for the average do-it-yourself homeowner. Turn the circuit breaker off before working on the wiring.
Single Switch
Electric codes require all ceiling fan wiring to include at least one switch. National Electric Code requires motor wiring to include a disconnect and a standard on-off switch meets that requirement. This method will also work for wiring a fan that includes a light. The switch controls both the light and the fan motor.
The branch circuit hot wire supplies power to the switch. A wire runs from the switch to the fan motor wire and the light kit wire. The fan and light neutral wires connect to the branch circuit neutral to complete the circuit.
This wiring method works well for fans with or without lights since most fans include pull chains to control both the light and the fan. However, if the light on the ceiling fan is the primary light for the room, a separate switch for the light is a better solution.
Speed Control Modules
Special motor speed control modules meet the NEC disconnect requirement if they include an on-off feature. Dimmer switches designed for lighting circuits should not control ceiling fan motors unless both the switch and ceiling fan manufacturer specify otherwise. The wiring for a speed control module follows the same method as single switch.
Separate wiring and switches control lights included with the fan or as an accessory kit. This allows controlling the lights from different locations or with dimmer switches modules.
Separate Fan and Light Switches
The separate fan and light switch wiring method uses one switch for the ceiling fan motor and another switch for the light. Optionally, a motor speed control module can serve as the switch for the fan and a dimmer module can control a light kit.
The two-switch wiring method has a single wire supplying power to both switches or modules. Another wire from each switch travels back to the fan and connects to the light and fan wires. The neutral wires from the fan and lights all connect to the branch circuit neutral wire.
Multiple Switches
A room that has more than one entrance may need multiple switches to control a fan with lights. Usually a single switch or speed control module will control the fan from one location while three-way and four-way switches or dimmer modules control the ceiling fan lights at the different entrances to the room.
Rooms with two switches will use two three-way switches to control the light. If the ceiling fan lights require more than two switches, four-way switches are wired between the two three-way switches.
The branch circuit hot wire supplies current to the first three-way switch. Traveler wires run between the common terminals of any four-way switches and the last three-way switch. The hot terminal on the last three-way switch goes to the lights. The neutral wires from the lights connect to the branch circuit neutral.
Tags: branch circuit, speed control, wiring method, branch circuit neutral, circuit neutral, connect branch, connect branch circuit