wiring ceiling fan to light switch

cshsr · 05-12-2009, 08:20 AM

I have a ceiling fan with a light package that I am installing in a room with no light fixture. The light switch in the room controls a wall socket only. Can I wire this from the light switch

J. V. · 05-12-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cshsr

I have a ceiling fan with a light package that I am installing in a room with no light fixture. The light switch in the room controls a wall socket only. Can I wire this from the light switch

Does the switch control more than one receptacle? If it does you will have to sacrifice all but one of them for the fan and light. Switching that is.

The best way to go is to fish a 3 conductor cable from the switch up into the attic and into a fan box. This way you can control the fan and light independently.
I would think it will be easier to fish the cable up through the switch box than it would the receptacle. But I am not the one going fishing, you are. Good luck.

cshsr · 05-12-2009, 12:51 PM

When you say 3 wire you mean one with white , black and red leads? the switch only controls one outlet.

joed · 05-12-2009, 12:52 PM

If you want to wire the fan into the light switch then you have give up the switching capability of the recpetacle. The receptacle will have to always on.
http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/switc...switched-plug/

220/221 · 05-12-2009, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Can I wire this from the light switch

Maybe.

You may have to rewire and sacrifice the half switched recep.

How many wires/cables in the switch box?

Quote:

If you want to wire the fan into the light switch then you have give up the switching capability of the recpetacle

Not necessarily.

beer_geek · 05-12-2009, 01:01 PM

Not wanting give an answer,(I'm not a pro) I'll ask a question. Since power is already going to the switch, couldn't cshsr cut out the single gang box and then install a 2-3 gang old work box to then service the fan/light and recptacle?

220/221 · 05-12-2009, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Since power is already going to the switch, couldn't cshsr cut out the single gang box and then install a 2-3 gang old work box to then service the fan/light and recptacle?

Ideally, this is the way to do it.

But....you must have power AND a neutral at the sw box.

Sometimes you will have a suicide switch (two wire switch loop) in the box with a white hot and a black sw leg.

That's when you have to go to plan B.

beer_geek · 05-12-2009, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 220/221

Ideally, this is the way to do it.

But....you must have power AND a neutral at the sw box.

Sometimes you will have a suicide switch (two wire switch loop) in the box with a white hot and a black sw leg.

That's when you have to go to plan B.

I forgot about that scenario. See, that's why I asked instead of just answering.

Burbman · 05-12-2009, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 220/221

Sometimes you will have a suicide switch (two wire switch loop) in the box with a white hot and a black sw leg.

OK, I'll bite....why is it called a "suicide switch"? A switch loop like that is code, right, even though it's not ideal....?

joed · 05-12-2009, 03:36 PM

Switch loops are code compliant. I have never heard them called suicide switches before.

cshsr · 07-20-2009, 05:08 PM

on the outlet i have (2) white , (1) black and a ground. At the switch I have (1) white , (1) black and a ground.

05-12-2009, 08:20 AM	#1
cshsr Newbie Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 4	wiring ceiling fan to light switch I have a ceiling fan with a light package that I am installing in a room with no light fixture. The light switch in the room controls a wall socket only. Can I wire this from the light switch

05-12-2009, 12:51 PM	#3
cshsr Newbie Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 4	wiring ceiling fan to light switch When you say 3 wire you mean one with white , black and red leads? the switch only controls one outlet. Last edited by cshsr; 05-12-2009 at 12:54 PM.

05-12-2009, 12:52 PM	#4
joed Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Welland, Ontario Posts: 6,101	wiring ceiling fan to light switch If you want to wire the fan into the light switch then you have give up the switching capability of the recpetacle. The receptacle will have to always on. http://www.selfhelpandmore.com/switc...switched-plug/ __________________ Do not PM with questions that can be asked in a forum. I will not respond.

05-12-2009, 01:01 PM	#6
beer_geek Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 209	wiring ceiling fan to light switch Not wanting give an answer,(I'm not a pro) I'll ask a question. Since power is already going to the switch, couldn't cshsr cut out the single gang box and then install a 2-3 gang old work box to then service the fan/light and recptacle? __________________ It takes less time to do a thing right than it does to explain why you did it wrong. -Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

05-12-2009, 03:36 PM	#10
joed Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Welland, Ontario Posts: 6,101	wiring ceiling fan to light switch Switch loops are code compliant. I have never heard them called suicide switches before. __________________ Do not PM with questions that can be asked in a forum. I will not respond.

wiring ceiling fan to light switch