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Electrical Wiring

tapping into 14/3 ceiling Fan wiring to add recess lighting

16 years ago

Hi

I need some help. I have 2 light switches that go to my 2 cieling fans in our game room. I recently had to replace the 2 fans which both had light fixtures on them and are controled with their own light switch with the fan on another switch.

I want to add recess lighting to the room but would like to tap into the exsisting 14/3 wiring that goes to the ceiling fans which already is wired to handle the lights and fans seperately. Can I do this and if so, how would I be able to identify which wiring would go the the light switch and which wiring would go to the fan light switches.

The recess lighting would be 5" and 50 watts each.

Any help is appriciated or web site to read would be great,

Thanks and Merry Christmas

Bill

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Comments (3)

terribletom
16 years ago
Forgive me if I'm dense, but let me make sure I'm operating with a correct understanding of the facts.

There are two wall switches. One controls the lights for both ceiling fans. The other controls the two lights. Furthermore, there are not two switching points (i.e., three-way switches). Is this correct?

IF I'M MISUNDERSTANDING, IGNORE THE FOLLOWING AND CORRECT MY ASSUMPTIONS.

In this case, you should be able to tap either of the fan/lights to add a couple of cans. Of the two hot wires (one red, one black), it's not possible from the information given to tell for sure which controls the fans and which controls the lights.

There are a couple of ways to tell which is which. For one, you can look at the switches to see which controls which. Another, and perhaps more foolproof, way is to use a circuit tester to figure out which wire controls lights and which controls fans.

Once you know which is which, you should be able to tap one of the fan/lights with the appropriate red/white or black/white combination to feed additional cans.

It is, of course, possible that circuit capacity is at issue here (i.e., that the cans you plan on adding will overload the circuit), but I'm ignoring that for now because I don't have the information to assess and, in any event, a couple of 50 watt bulbs is a fairly light additional load.
terribletom
16 years ago
Whoops, I think I have bit of a typo there. Should read:

There are two wall switches. One controls the lights for both ceiling fans. The other controls the two lights. Furthermore, there are not two switching points (i.e., three-way switches). Is this correct?

Sorry.
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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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tabs22
Original Author
16 years ago
Ha Ha Ha, Yeap your right. 2 switchs, one for the fans, one for the lights. Not enough sleep and to much caffin to think correctly. Must be around Christmas.

Thanks for your response and clearing up the matter. The funning part was I proof read it and missed it.

Thanks again
Bill

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