I just moved into my townhouse and my downstairs bathroom drives me crazy. There is one light switch and it controls both the lights AND the fan. I want to install a new switch that has two toggles. One to control the fan, and one to control the lights. Does anyone know how to go about this? I have purchased the light switch that I will install, I just don't know what to do with the wires. HELP!!!
2007-01-26 03:28:23 · 10 answers · asked by Michelle M 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
I have some experience with wiring. (not a lot mind you but still.) I know to turn off the electricity and I know *how* to do the switches. All I need to know is which wires go where
2007-01-27 11:38:16 · update #1
well there should be two wires going to one terminal of the switch wich would be one for the light and one for the fan. and there should be anotherone on the other terminal for ground. the thing is i don't know if you cant fit your dual light switch in the space where ther is only one. i would not mess with it. call an electrician. but if you do at least do it safely and turn of the breaker that controls that switch. don't go killing yourself
2007-01-26 03:36:36 · answer #1 · answered by Random guy number 1988 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Several answer already. Many of them point out that the wording of your question makes it obvious that you are in over your head on this one. It is too dangerous to do if you don't know what you are doing.
IF the lights and the fan are in one unit then the thing that no one did suggest is the most simple answer, and the cheapest. There is a module that I have seen in Home Depot, Lowes, etc. type of stores.
It easily wires into the unit. By pressing the existing switch, you turn on the lights or the fan or both. It cycles through the selections as you turn the switch on and off.
If the light and the fan are in two different places, i.e. not in the same unit, you need a professional to do the work. After you see the estimate, you might want to live with the inconvience though.
2007-01-26 07:04:15 · answer #2 · answered by DSM Handyman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The problem is the wires. Somewhere back at the light and fan those wires are connected together so that one switch will do them. What you need a real electrician to do is shut off the branch circuit power, go find those wires, disconnect them where they are joined, look at how the single switch is wired(whether the power originates at the fixture or at the switch and does the box need replacing if it has to hold another cable), run a cable from the switch's box to the fan, put in the new switch wired according to how the power is arranged, make and test all the connections and close it all up. If you don't have all those skills the electrician is definitely the answer. I am guessing from the way that you phrased your question that you do need that help.
2007-01-26 03:52:11 · answer #3 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What state. The Comm. of Mass. requires a specific amount of ventilation for a bathroom..If there is no window the fan is required by the Building code...If you chose to replace the switch you will need a double switch. one for the blower and one for the light...If you pull the switch out of the box you will probably find only two wires. If you have only two wires in the box, on the switch, it is not possible for a homeowner to switch the fan separate. You have to fish a new feed for the blower. In other words, you need to create a new circuit for the blower. I don't think that you can do this without the help of someone who is qualified in this area. Don't misunderstand, I'm not calling you stupid, it's just not a job for a person who isn't skilled in this stuff. If you open the box and find more than two wires contact me and I might be able to help. DON'T POKE AROUND WITHOUT FIRST PULLING THE MAINS, THE MAIN CIRCUIT BREAKER.. if YOU DO NOT SHUT OFF THE POWER YOU COULD BE A CRISPY CRITTER.!!!!!!!
2007-01-26 03:48:40 · answer #4 · answered by buzzwaltz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most fan/lite switches come with 3 wires on the switch. 1 hot wire, 2 switchlegs. Usually a black and red to fan/lite. If your exisiting wiring only has 2 wires down to the switch, you cannot seperate the fan and lite in the ceiling. junction box.
To make the third wire happen would take some serious electrical work unless you run something exposed..(not recommended in a bathroom)
2007-01-26 03:48:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will have to disconnect the wires that go from the light to the fan and run these wired down inside the wall to the new switch. You can then use the power in to the other switch for the power to the fan
2007-01-26 03:39:51 · answer #6 · answered by aussie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sure. hassle is which you want a stay feed and a pair of distinctive switched lives going back up. likely it replaced into put in with only one switched stay. Use the switched stay for the sunshine by way of fact the feed for the fan area of the swap, and you will nevertheless kill the fan while the sunshine is became off. while you're fortunate, then the greater desirable cord is needed basically between the swap and the fan isolator.
2016-12-16 14:03:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
cant do it really
you have to swap out the 3 wire romax for 4 wire romex so you can run the red wire to the fan and the black to the light using two switches
as of now, you dont have enough wires in the wall to do this
for swapping out any wires an electrician must be called in to follow the new NEC 2005
2007-01-26 14:33:06 · answer #8 · answered by D S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this can be don be yourself only if the light and fan wires terminate in the switch box . if not call for assistance
2007-01-26 03:43:08 · answer #9 · answered by RUSSELLL 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call an Electrician. I can guess from the question that your just going to fry yourself if you try it.
2007-01-26 03:37:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋