wiring a bathroom fan, light, heater combo on two switches

zddingus · 10-08-2009, 02:24 PM

We are replacing an existing unit with the same one. The heater quit working so we bought a new unit. The heater is a blower. Now we cant get the heater to work on the new unit either. Wired it according to the diagram on the instructions but we have two whites coming in from the wall switch. Not sure why. coming from switch are as follows: 2 white, one black, one red, and one green. Where does the other white go? The light and fan were on one switch and the heater on the other when it was working. Help please...

Thanks

HouseHelper · 10-08-2009, 02:30 PM

All the whites at the fan unit should be wired together, but alot depends on how the switches are wired. Best to look there and post back on what you find.

jerryh3 · 10-08-2009, 03:53 PM

Are you in Chicago? Can you take a picture of the switches?

zddingus · 10-08-2009, 03:58 PM

We will look at the switches tonight and see what is coming from each switch then post back what we find. Not in chicago. Can try to take picture also.

Thanks

AllanJ · 10-08-2009, 04:00 PM

How did the old fan unit used to be connected?

Are the wires coming in fropm the back of the fan junction box grouped together, for example as Romex cables? Describe.

What is the wire arrangement down at the switch box?

zddingus · 10-08-2009, 09:52 PM

My wife posted orginally, so i can give a little more information. I know simple electrical work but can't figure this out. Like she said, we replaced an existing unit with the same so all would be easy to hook up. There are 2 white wires, 1 black, 1 red and the ground coming into the unit. When i first took down the old unit i found two wires not hooked up, one white (by itself) and another white which was a jumper wire. I can get the fan and light to work but not the heater. Off the double switch (combo) we have 3 black, ground and a red. I'm sure two of the blacks are used as jumpers but it's difficult to see. The black, red, white and ground come in to the unit together with the extra white by itself.

We had a total of two jumper wires up in the unit, but like i said, the white was not hooked up. One jumper that was hooked up before i took down when from the hot (black) to the blue and yellow (fan and light) from the unit. I believe this is correct since they work, but don't know the purpose of the jumper unless the other jumper fell out of this. I hooked the unit up just as the instructions listed, but i still have the two wires that are not connected. I appreciate all the help

joed · 10-09-2009, 10:35 AM

Do the switches operate the fan and light properly. One switch operates each device? If it does then you have problem with the heater connection. Describe the connections from the unit you installed.

zddingus · 10-09-2009, 04:44 PM

The unit as a red and white coming from the heater portion, blue and white coming from the light and yellow and white coming from the fan portion. I have the black from the switch hooked up to the blue and yellow. The red from the fan is hooked to the red coming to the unit from the switch. I have all the whites hooked together with the white coming to the unit. The exception to this is the white that was ran by itsself is not hooked to anything. It can't be much since it was working before, but I can't figure it out. I don't understand why there were two jumpers used.

If need be i can probably get more information regarding the wiring behind the switch. I could also call an electrician and it would take them 15 min.

joed · 10-09-2009, 08:16 PM

If you switch the black and red connection at the unit does the heater now work instead of the light/fan?
Tell us all the wiring at the switches. Original problem might have been with the switches.

The extra white wire, Where does it come from? Is this conduit or cable. There shouldn't be a lone white wire with cables?

skidrowpete · 04-22-2010, 08:48 PM

would bet a cold beer one of the whites is an unmarked feed