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Ceiling fan wiring - what to have builder install?

6 years ago

Hello,

We are in the process of having a new home built and are near the end of the "design options phase". One thing that we are doing is having ceiling junction boxes in five rooms for ceiling fans. We don't know what fans we will choose, but want to have the walls pre-wired to handle multiple fan speed, lights, and possibly dimming. We do NOT want any pull chains, just electrical/electronic controls.

My question revolves around the wall wiring and switch box. (Pardon if my terminology is off - not a DIY person). The builder says they normally put in two switches - one for fan power, one for lights. I see fan manufacturers with controls that look like they only use one switch location. The builder says "Oh, then you get a three-wire to one location and we don't install a second switch". I have no idea if this is what I need/want, but I really want to get this right before we sign off on the final options (big change order fees).

Any assist or input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

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Comments (5)

mushcreek
6 years ago
When we don't want chains hanging down, we use remote control fans. They are readily available, and most fans can be retrofitted to remote fairly cheaply. In our case, we used the ceiling fan light in most rooms for the code-mandated 'room light', so it's on a wall switch. The fan itself is either operated with a pull chain or a remote.
just_janni
6 years ago
Note on the remotes - make sure the batteries are standard size. Nothing worse than turning the fan up and then running out of juice.

I dual wire my fans but then you still end up with a pull chain for speeds. I don't like the remote being mounted to the switch plate, though, as I think it looks bulky.

(Admittedly - I have not shopped for fans in a while! - perhaps there is a decent hardwired controller that fits in a switch area!)
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Another option would be to use a wireless fan/light control switch that would control the fan and light separately. This allows you to switch both the fan speeds and dim lights. IÂve installed close to 50 of these in where instead of running 3 wire w/ground to the Fan location from the switch to replace the 2 wire w/ground. At the switch location you just connect the black (Hot) to the black going up to the fan (this makes it hot all the time at the fan location for the receiver). White to whites and ground with grounds. At the fan just follow directions from the package. Wireless receiver black to black for power to the receiver, white to white, blue to fan blue and black to fan black. The only drawback IÂve had with these is the size of the receiver. Sometimes itÂs tough to fit it on certain fans as it doesnÂt really fit in the boxes. It basically needs to fit in the canopy of the fan. As others have said what you had was UNSAFE and could potentially hurt someone or worse. Full Disclosure: I'm not a fan of home cheapo but I do like this switch. Nor do I work for Hampton Bay nor do I own stock in either company. Here is a link that might be useful: Hampton Bay Wireless Ceiling Fan Remote Control
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Trying to have two computers controlling one fan sounds like a headache at best. When you say two three switches, can I assume that you mean physically two switches, one on each side of the room or wherever. Not two sets of three ways or four switches total. I would keep the three ways and have them feed the controller and then the controller will feed the fan. You will just have on/off at one location and full control at the other. That is if turning the controller off and on does not upset it. If it resets itself and goes back to default settings every time you turn off the power, that will get annoying pretty quick. Depending on what the controller (computer) requires you may have to do away with the switches all together. Time to find and read instruction manual!
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jushow the switch to the sparky, he will get you the proper wiring. you need 1 circuit to control teh fan and one to control teh light. thus, a minimum of 3 wires.
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The installation of the bathroom exhaust is a big problem, but not your only problem. The overarching issue is that your kitchen exhaust is from the ceiling rather than a hood over the range/cooktop. Trying to work with an existing ceiling exhaust, even if you replace it with a correct ceiling exhaust, well, it's still a ceiling exhaust. Take this opportunity of your kitchen reno to improve this arrangement. Lots of problems with a ceiling exhaust, most notably: (1) too much opportunity for grease and smoke to escape to the rest of kitchen, (2) difficult to clean at the ceiling, (3) not enough cfms to pull the smoke and grease from such a distance, and (4) no canopy shape (as a hood would have) to corral the grease and smoke. Take the opportunity of your reno to install a correct hood exhaust. Edited to add: I just noticed you said you are in a condo. If you are stuck with that exhaust location, you can still install an "island hood" in a chimney style that meets the ceiling where the duct is located. Make sure the hood is in a canopy shape, and is 6" wider than the width of the cooktop.
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poolroomcomesfirst
6 years ago
Our builder on puts standard switch in and the up charge from their electrician was steep so we're going to replace it after we move in. We don't have dimmer lights on our fans so we'll get something like this,

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00002N7KD/ref=asc_df_B00002N7KD5065983/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B00002N7KD&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167146990738&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8383815476084486450&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9021462&hvtargid=pla-370253262917

but it if you do you can get a switch like this.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fan-Control-and-Incandescent-Dimmer-Dual-Slide-White-Enerlites-17001-W/485063030?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=276&adid=22222222228071475250&wmlspartner=wmtlabs&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=m&wl3=182324404462&wl4=pla-477435699032&wl5=9021462&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=111838727&wl11=online&wl12=485063030&wl13=&veh=sem

The electrician Ian I talked to said just make sure you have 3 wires pulled between the fan box and wall switch and you can do it on one.
mushcreek
6 years ago
Jannicone- Good point on the batteries. Our BR fan takes an odd battery- widely available, but not something you'd have at home. The battery died after I turned the fan on, and there's no way to turn it off, other than cutting the breaker.
zorroslw1
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Our greatroom fan on a vaulted ceiling, has 1 wall switch to turn it on and a remote to operate the light and fan speed. I don't know about the wiring used.

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