I have a dedicated circuit running a whole house fan. Downstream from this circuit I want to connect an electrical outlet to run a gable attic fan/lights whenever i enter the attic . This outlet, in turn, I want to control by an on/off switch in my hall way. Question: Will this switch also control the house fan (which I hope not because it’s controlled by remote) or have any negative effects? Each fan uses about 3 amps.
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I'm not exactly clear on your question, but I think the answer is 'it depends'. It depends on whether you wire it so that the downstream switch opens both circuits or just one.
Scott.
Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.”
You would splice into that existing line and create a branch that would go to your hallway wall switch. From that switch you would go to your new outlets and lights.
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Save the Whales! and Guns!
This is how I would handle it:
1) Turn off breaker to existing whole house fan.
2) Disconnect cable from whole house fan - route this cable to a new junction box #1. I would use a 4"x4".
From new junction box #1 - run a new cable to a new switch box in attic; from new switch box (and switch) connect whole house fan. This new switch will provide a "service disconnect for the whole house fan.
3) From new junction box #1 - run a new cable to your new outlet location for the gable fan and lights - connect all except the connections in the new junction box #1.
4) Locate and install new wall switch and box in hallway - from new hallway switch box connect a new run of 2 conductor cable (14/2 or 12/2 depending on ampacity of the existing circuit), and take it to new junction box #1 in attic.
This cable is known as a "switch leg" - you will need to recode the white wire with tape / marker / paint to black at the switch and at the new junction box #1 in attic. Recode BOTH ends of the white wire. Connect both conductors to the new switch in the hallway.
5) In new junction box #1 in attic - twist & nut all grounds together (+ a ground tag to the ground screw if the box is metallic); twist & nut all white conductors together (not the one which you recoded!).
6) The old cable to the whole house fan is your "line in".
Line in white should already be connected.
Line in black gets twisted and nutted together with the outgoing black to the new service disconnect switch for the whole house fan + black (non-recoded) to the new switch in the hallway. (3 black wires in this nut)
The remaining wires - black to new outlet for gable fan & lights in attic get twisted and nutted together with the recoded "black" from the new hallway switch. (2 wires in this nut)
7) Install the junction box cover; turn on the breaker and test everthing.
Note: this wiring plan will only allow the gable fan to run when the attic lights are also "on". Whole house fan will run anythime the thermostat kicks on, however, the whole house fan can be disconnected independently from the attic lights and gable fan. Since the gable fan is a plug in unit, I would not bother to install another service disconnect switch for the new gable fan.
This is probably confusing to read, but if you will drawn it out on paper - you will understand.
Jim
Edited 7/13/2008 2:56 pm ET by JTC1
Thank you for taking the time for that reply. Your suggestion looks similar to one found in one of my books. After reading it several times it looks pretty straight forward. Thanks again.
You might define the "remote" that is controlling the existing fan. You may have power coming to that "remote" and then to the fan where there is no power up there if fan not on. If power goes up to fan and a switch leg comes to the control point you have the ability to do what you wish.
Extend the ckt to a box and run switch leg back down for whatever you want to control from hall. You can get switch with"pilot light" to incicate if it is on.
Thank you for the reply. By "remote" I mean remote controlled similar to a TV remote control, run by batteries. I bought the tandem fan at HD for about 350. Fan Is strong but extremely loud and I would have taken down and returned except that it took me so long to install.
JTC1 has the straight skinny it apears. Might still consider that pilot switch for your added stuff. They are handy for instances where a closet switch is outside a door so you will not forget to turn off.