How to Wire a Ceiling Fan With Separate Controls

Wiring ceiling fans is a basic DIY project.

Ceiling fans are more convenient when they are controlled by wall switches. In large rooms with more than one entryway, more than one switch may be required. This configuration--called a three-way switch because of the three terminals on the switches--is no more difficult to wire than a single switch control. Starting from scratch by installing the fan and wiring the switches is an afternoon project that most do-it-yourselfers can tackle with ease.

Things You'll Need

• Utility knife or keyhole saw
• 2 switch boxes
• 2 light switches
• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Brace bar
• Wood screws
• Junction box
• Fish tape
• 3-wire NM cable
• 2-wire BX cable
• Wire cutters
• Fan
• Drywall patch kit

Instructions

1. Find a branch circuit in the room to use as a power source. You'll tap into the circuit through a wall receptacle. The easiest way to do this is if the wiring for one of the switches is directly above the receptacle. Otherwise, remove the baseboards between the source receptacle and Switch 1 for running the electric cable, cutting small access holes at the base of the wall.

2. Make the cuts for the fan and switches. The fan hole should be at least 6 inches in diameter to allow you to work with the brace bar supporting the fan. Cut small access holes where the wall and ceiling meet above the switch holes. These holes make it easier to run the electrical wiring.

3. Install the hardware. Hang a brace bar between two ceiling joists with wood screws and affix the junction box to the bar so it is centered over the fan hole. Affix the switch boxes to the drywall--they do not need to be affixed to wall studs. Remove the source receptacle to access its wiring.

4. Cut the power to the circuit.

5. Run the electrical cable for the power supply. Run two-wire BX cable from the receptacle to Switch 1 down through the bottom access hole and along the gap between the drywall and the floor. Push the cable through the switch's bottom access hole and up to the switch box.

6. Run the electrical cable from the switches to the fixture, using the fish tape. Thread the fish tape through the access holes across the ceiling to the fan junction box. Attach the three-wire NM cable to the fish tape and pull it back toward you. Drop the wire down to the switch boxes.

7. Make the connections at the switches. At Switch 1 (closest to the source receptacle), attach the black wire from the power supply to the switch terminal labeled "Common." Connect the white wires together. Affix the red and black wires from the fan box to the remaining terminals on the switch and ground the switch to the box. At Switch 2, connect the black wire to the common terminal and the white and red wires to the other terminals. Wrap a piece of electrical tape around the white wire to indicate that it is carrying current.

8. Make the connections at the fan. Connect the red wires together. Connect the white wire from Switch 2 to the black wire from Switch 1. Wrap black electrical tape around this white wire to indicate that it is carrying current. Connect the remaining black wire to the fan's black wire and the remaining white wire to the fan's white wire.

9. Attach the fan to the junction box according to the manufacturer's instructions and patch the access holes in the drywall.

References

• "The Big Book of Home How-To;" Better Homes and Gardens; 2003