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Electrical Wiring

Wiring a ceiling fan to a 3-way switch

17 years ago

I have 3 switches that power the ceiling electrical box in my bedroom. Two switches are a 3-way to power the light so I can turn the light on/off from either end of the bedroom. The third switch is a stand-alone (2-way?) for powering a ceiling fan. As of yesterday I had a light fixture only so the fan wire in the ceiling box was capped off.

I purchased a remote controlled Minka Aire ceiling fan with lights. The remote is a wall mounted controller (WC210) that replaces the wall switch. The controller isnÂt wired for a three way, it only has 2 black wires and a ground. The wireless receiver that connects to the ceiling box isnÂt 3-way either. So IÂm trying to figure out the best way to wire the whole thing.

First, I guess I have to decide how I want to wire the ceiling box connections. Even though I have 2 hot wires in the box (remember I have a 2 3-way switches that power the light and 1 switch that powers the fan), I should probably only use the hot "fan" wire connected to the single 2-way wall switch. This way the fanÂs lights and fan will be controlled by the built-in receiver. With this setup however, the existing 3-way switches become useless, right?

I would like to control the fan from 2 locations, so could I connect another wireless wall controller to one of the 3-ways switches near my bed. I think this could work because even though the wiring is not connected to the fan, the controller is a wireless transmitter and only need the switch for powering it. I guess I could just order a handheld remote, that would just add to my nightstand clutter.

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Comments (2)

Kirsten Burton
8 years ago
What did you do? We are in the same situation.
Ron Natalie
8 years ago
I doubt she is going to answer since the website has been sold twice since that post was made nine years ago.

Anyhow, you can bypass the switches if you are just going to use the remote, but frankly, I'd not do that. You'd like the ability to to hard switch off the fans for maintenance things like replacing the bulbs. Just install the fan to the switched circuit. Work the switches so that the fan is powered and then just use the remotes. You can put a piece of tape over the switch to remind you to use the remote.
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They exist. More common to find ones that can be used as 3-ways than those who can't, however, you'll probably have to replace both of the existing 3-way switches with the matching master/slave for the wireless switch.
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Where is the light fixture in this scheme? How is the second switch wired? Where is the incoming power wired in? Is this the end of the branch circuit or does the power feed through to other devices? Might it be a four-way setup? There are several variations on how to connect a three-way light so you need to know how the other elements are connected. I recommend that you study a book on basic residential wiring. There should be several at your local library or you can find them at home Depot, Lowes, etal. Your web browser should also be able to find a few illustrated explanations.
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Comments (4)
jagmtx- That's good to hear! And I apologize if my reply was offensive. Most likely the two connections on the left hand side of the picture are the switched hot and neutral but that would have to verified with a volt meter first - you can never assume. The bare copper on the right is your ground. As far as the fan, standard color coding would indicate the green is your ground, white is neutral, black is the hot for the fan, and the black/white (although it's usually Blue) should the hot for the light. Again, I would double check that with a meter. Once things are confirmed make sure the power is off at the breaker before installing - you never know what the last position the fan switch (on the fixture) was left in!
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OH man!!! I knew that 12/2 traveler seemed odd. I should have gone with my first instinct!! That is how I originally had it roughed in then found that posting and changed it all today..all for it not to work!!! ugh!! I have wired 3 ways before but I'm getting confused with the fan/light feature. Also, I think what is confusing me is that the way I originally had it, and the way you are stating, box 1 with the feed is "in between" the fixture and the other box. Does that make sense? I know that might not be accurate but that is how my brain sees it. Meaning, box 2 has the 2 runs of 14/3 coming over to box 1 which has the feed and then the run to the light. So let me try to figure this out and correct me again if I am wrong. The rough should be: Box 1: 14 or 12/2 feed; 2 runs of 14/3 to box 2 and a run of 14/3 to the fixture. Then from there I am reading your instructions but having difficulty picturing it..not sure if it's fatigue and late but..is there any way you could diagram it for me? maybe in an email or something....i'm dying over here to finish this up. thanks, brian
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