Combining Separate Switches to a Single Switch
Hello all,
I recently purchased a bathroom light/fan and have completed what I thought was the difficult part of installing the fan housing through my crawl-space attic.
When I got to the point of connecting the switch, I realized my dilemma. The previous fixture had the light and fan on separate switches and the light was operating via a three-way connection.
The new fixture has a single power switch with a push pad to operate the fan and light independently and has the four wires (black and red live, white neutral and green ground).
Currently, the junction box has three sets of four strand to account for the fan, the light and the trailer.
The trailer, I believe, will be unnecessary as I’m not planning on keeping it as a three-way switch.
I’m trying to figure out what is getting connected to what now. I know (at least now I do) that I’m unable to connect two black wires together. Ground is easy; everything else has left me confused.
Appreciate any insight into this mess. And, let me know if you need more detail.
Replies
What do you mean by "trailer"?
I may be using the wrong term; the wire that connects two or more switches to create a three-way connection.
I think you mean the traveller. My advice would be to ring out the hot and the neutral and cap the wire that you know you won't need. From there you should be able to feed a hot to each side of the switch, hook up the neutrals. After offering up a prayer to whoever, give it a go.
Yes, I would go back as far as possible to feed wires and remove as much old wiring as possible. You can always install a j box with blank plate in the attic to continue the existing circuit if it leads to other parts of the home.
Yes, traveller, thanks. When you say "ring out the hot and neutral" what do you mean? Just what jlyda is saying following your response, trace it back? I was really hoping not to go back up but at least it isn't hot up there this time of year, just cramped.
From what you're saying you have a junction box in the attic that fed the old fan which was switched from one location and a light that was switched from two locations. You first have to determine where you always have a hot wire and a neutral. With a meter and one probe on the white (neutral) test colored wires until you find one that is always hot. That wire needs to be connected to the one where your switch is located. The neutral can connect directly to the unit. So, you need a hot to your switch location and one colored wire coming back to the unit which is the switch leg. If the fan and light operate independently you'll need two switch legs. After everything is "rung out" this way and you know you have all the wiring to complete the circuit and operate the assembly, individually wire nut each unused wire and tuck each wire into the junction box. Don't pull any old wire out. Just leave as is and use only what you need. From what information you've provided this should do it. "Rung out" is electrician jargon for proving a wire is available for an intended purpose. Old timers might have used a bell in the circuit when testing and sorting out wiring. I still find it useful at times. Good luck.
Thanks for the feedback. I think this won't be as bad as initially thought now. Appreciate it.