[boom25]

I need a diagram of how to wire a bathroom exhaust fan with light so the fan and light can be switched on and off separately by 2 different 3-way switches (1 on each side of the room. They both have a double 3-way switch on each side of the room. The switches each have an A1, A2 and B1,B2 on one side of the switch). The main power is going into the switch. Also, do you use two 14/2 wires going to the light or do you use just one 14/3 wire? Thank you so much for any diagram you can show me.

 

[rjniles]

Your description is confusing. What does À1, A2, B1, B2 mean? Are you saying that you have a single 3 way switch on each side of the room that runs the light and fan together? You now want 2 three way switches on each side of the room so you can run the fan and light separately?

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[seharper]

Would you be able to run conduit between the two 3-way switch locations?

Does the exhaust fan and light have two white wires (i.e. Does each have their own neutral)?

Will the cable to the lamp leave the same box the power comes into?

 

[boom25]

:crying::crying:Here is the fan/light connections in the attic and one of the switches in one wall.(We have the same switch on the other side of the room) Can't be right as they don't work right. The power is coming in to the switch on one side and the other switch on the other side of the room goes out to the light. I'm not sure if we even have the right wiring going to the light. We have two 3 wire going from the switch to the fan/light. I'm thinking it might take one 4-wire instead? Any suggestions or help please. I hope my pics help!!

 

[boom25]

This is a new construction so we can wire it anyway that is the right way. We just really need to know how to properly wire it. Thank you.

 

[joed]

Power into one set of three ways.
A 3 wire and a 2 wire between the two three ways.
3 wire from second set of switches to the fan/light.

 

[boom25]

How do you hook up a A 3 wire and a 2 wire between the two three ways? Could you make me a diagram? Thank you so much for your reply!!

 

[joed]

I would probably use 2 three wire cable but you can get by with a 2 wire cable.

Ignore the left light in the diagram. It is a second light comes on with the one in the fan.

 

[boom25]

Thank you so much. I think I understand. I will have my husband wire these and let you know. Thanks again. You are a life saver.

 

[joed]

In case it is not clear the black coloured screw is the COMMON. It's the lone screw on the right in the diagram. It may not be in the same position on the switch you buy.

 

[boom25]

These are my switches

 

[boom25]

I thought the black screw was for a hot wire??

 

[joed]

The black screw is the common connection. At the power end you only one connection. The screws are tied together.
At the fixture end you will need to break the tab that joins the two screws.

 

[boom25]

That's what I thought. Thank you.

 

[seharper]

I would probably use 2 three wire cable but you can get by with a 2 wire cable.

Ignore the left light in the diagram. It is a second light comes on with the one in the fan.

View attachment 592033

Nope, you can't wire it that way. You have 2 separate cables between the 3-ways. One of the cables is carrying power one way and returning neutral the other way. You can't loop current out one cable and back the other. Currents must be equal/balanced in each cable or conduit.

To do it the way you drew it, use conduit between the 3-ways, which would put all conductors in the same conduit (rule met).

If you want to use cable, you can do it this way with two /3 and two /2: (your wire colors may vary)

 

[joed]

There are two theories on that situation. Since the fan and light share a neutral the way you drew is not accurate. And with three wire cables you would have a parallel neutral which is not permitted.
So parallel neutral or not neutral in same cable. Which is the right way.

If the fan and light are two separate fixtures then you are correct.

 

[seharper]

There are two theories on that situation. Since the fan and light share a neutral the way you drew is not accurate. And with three wire cables you would have a parallel neutral which is not permitted.

I bolded a presumption you are making which incorrect. Some fans and lights are in fact made with separate neutrals. You would be obliged to use one of those.

Yes, you need to keep each neutral group separate post-split. Thus you do not have any paralleling.

So that gives you 2 ways to wire it. #1 my way, using a fan/light with separate neutrals.

#2 your way with a common-neutral fan/light, with conduit between the 3-ways.

 

[boom25]

We got it right with all the help. Thank you so much to everyone. Everything works like it is suppose to!!