Replies

1. 
   DanH | Jul 11, 2010 09:05am | #1

   Do you know which is hot, which is neutral, and which is ground?  If not, hire an electrician.

2. 
   Scott | Jul 11, 2010 09:58am | #2

   Nice diagram. But shouldn't it show two switches?

3. 
   Matt | Jul 11, 2010 11:19am | #3

   A few comments to help you think it through:

   This is a very simple wiring problem, so it concerns me that you would ask. 

   1) The green (copper?) ground wires on your diagram don't need to be shown - it will simplify your drawing, just make sure each device (receptacle, switch) is grounded and all the grounds are tied together in the switch box..

   2) So, the existing red wire is the switched hot for the switched side of the receptacle?

   3) All your whites (neutrals) are wire nutted together in the switch box.

   4) I assume the new wire you pulled for the fan is a black/white/red/ground romex?  The black and red will be switched wires for your fan and light.  The white (neutral) will just be tied to your other neutrals in the switch box.

   5) Consider installing a larger (2 gang) switch box by carefully enlarging the existing hole in the wall and using a pop-in box.  That way you can have the number of switches you really need (3) and and have more room to make your connections. Once you get the old box loose you can just let it fall down inside the wall.

1. 
   slcuster | Jul 12, 2010 08:17am | #5

   Simple is Relative

   Matt,

       This may be a simple wiring problem for an electrician or for a do-it-yourselfer with lots of experience in wiring.  However, I am neither of those.  I am simply a housewife who loves to take on do-it-yourself projects and is smart enough to know when to ask for help.   Having no experience in electrical work, I first did a lot of reading on basic wiring and figured I could safely tackle this project if I got directions from someone who knew what they were doing.  I thought that was the whole idea of these forums.

       In answer to questions 2 and 4 - yes, the existing red is the hot for the switched half of the outlet, and yes, the new wire is BWRG.  I already replaced the existing box with a new larger box to make room for the second switch and the additional wiring.  Now, thanks to you and Dan, I am ready to finish the wiring, confident that I won't burn the house down when I try to turn my fan on.   : )   Thanks for your help.

1. 
   Matt | Jul 12, 2010 10:14am | #6

   So, your box might look something like the attached.

   BTW - we just wanted to be sure you were going about this in a safe and prudent manner.

   Another BTW - if the switch box is next to a doorway, it is somewhat logical to make the light switch closest to the door opening.  Just a little pet peeve of mine with electricians who install multiple switches in a box in a random manner.  Obviously this occurs because the power if often off when they are installing the switches.  

   
1. 
   slcuster | Jul 12, 2010 11:51am | #7

   Dan and Matt,

   I understand your concerns, but again, that's why I'm doing the research and asking the questions instead of proceeding blindly.  I appreciate the help and advice from both of you.  Matt, thanks for the drawing.

   Sandy

1. 
   calvin | Jul 12, 2010 05:58pm | #8

   Sandy

   If you are not paranoid about Breaktime stalkers (I don't know that there are any, and with the private message option here - there'd be little chance of them getting your email address)

   Then mention right away (or don't use a possible unisex name) that you are a female.

   They'll fall all over themselves to give you a hand.

   No kidding.

   Best of luck!

2. 
   DanH | Jul 12, 2010 09:56pm | #9

   There's something to that, but part of it is because when a guy comes in and asks "How do you do X?" he really doesn't know how to do T, U, V, and W before you get to X, but he's pretending to know a lot more than he does.  So with a guy we assume that we're only getting maybe 1/5th of the whole story.

3. 
   slcuster | Jul 14, 2010 07:58am | #10

   Update

   I just thought I'd let you guys know how my electrical forays went.  A few days ago I installed a junction box up in my attic to cut down on the number of wires in the switch box.  Last night I wired the switch, then used a multimeter to test my work.  As I was testing, the whole house lost electric.  After my initial shock and panic, I realized I had thrown the breaker so it couldn't have been my fault, and after what seemed like an eternity but was really less than a minute, the electric came back on.  Just to be sure, though, I called the electric company to see if they were aware of any short duration drops in our area.  Luckily, they confirmed that there had been a problem in our area, so I proceeded with my testing.  The first switch tested OK, but not the second, so I retraced all my wires.  Everything appeared to be correct, so I disassembled my fan and tested that wiring.  It turned out the wiring within the fan was bad.  Luckily, I had bought two identical fans, so I was able to replace the part with the faulty wiring.  Nervously, I restored power to the circuit, flipped the first switch, and voila, there was light.  A second light on the switched half of the outlet also worked.  Then I flipped the second switch, and my new fan started spinning.  Success!  Fan, fan light, and outlet all are in working order, and no smoke or fire - yet!  I'm not ready to quit computer programming to become an electrician, but it is nice to be able to handle some of these small chores myself.  I appreciate everyone's advice and help.  Thanks again!

   Sandy

4. 
   slcuster | Jul 11, 2010 09:22pm | #4

   Thanks!

   Dan,

       Thanks for your help.  I do know which is hot, and your explanation makes perfect sense.  Thanks again.

   Sandy