Fred

Rewire a Switch that Controls an Release to Keep in line an Overhead Light or Fan

February 9, 2009 | by Fred (netmail) |

Last week I described how an outlet should be wired for switch control when the voltage enters the circuit at the mercantile establishment.  This setup is how our master bedroom was wired before I installed an overhead ceiling fan.  As secure, I detail below how to modify this wiring setup with stripped-down effort so that the switch backside or else control an overhead fixedness.  Later this week, I'll post close to before and after pics from our cap fan installation.  Before we get started, let's in short review live week's plot:

Review of Switched Outlet Wiring (Business leader Enters at the Outlet)

In that plot, voltage enters the circuit at location (A) in a standard 2-wire (+ground) Romex.  The hot neutral wire from this Romex is well-connected like a shot to the silver terminals happening the receptacle (E), and the black hot wire is connected to the white wire running to the switch (B).  The whiteness and black wires from this Romex are connected to the switch (C).  The black telegraph at the switch over is now switched calefacient which is run back to the receptacle and machine-accessible to the gold last (D).  The resolution:  the outlet is simply warm when the switch is turned along.

Notice that in this diagram, the neutral wire never leaves the receptacle boxful.  Voltage exits the receptacle box on the white wire to the swop, and then returns as switched power on the calamitous telegram, both in the same Romex cable.

To rewire this circuit to control an smash regular, we need to get both hot and neutral to the change boxful, and finally proscribed a second Romex to an overhead fixture.  We do this by repurposing the Romex between the receptacle and the switch, and adding an additional Romex to the overhead fixity.  Hither's how the wiring diagram changes:

Rewire a Switch to Control an Overhead Fixture

Diagram Explanation

  • Step 1: We require to castrate the wiring in the receptacle corner to move fervent, neutral, and ground adequate the replacement.  To coif this, we use the receptacle arsenic a bridge for the hot and common wires.  For some Romex's in the receptacle box, the black wires are wired to the brass terminals, the white wires to the silver terminals, and the priming coat (copper) wires are nutted together and loving with a pigtail to the receptacle itself.
  • Step 2: Add an additional nibble of Romex from the switch box to the overhead fixture.  This Romex should be ample gauge for the current (12 gauge for 20 AMP circuits, 14 gauge for 15 amp circuits).  In our diagram we add 2-wire Romex with the intention that all of the voltage traveling to the overhead fixture will be switched.  We could also add 3-wire Romex and hold one switched hot electrify, and one constant hot wire running to the overhead fixture.  (This would be useful, for instance, if we were installing a fan with a divide fan and light control).
  • Step 3: Wire nut the neutral wires from both Romex's in the switch box together.  (This sends objective dormy the cable to the fixture).  Connect the bleak wires from each Romex in the switch box to the swap.  (The black wire running busy the overhead fixture is now switched skilled.  Wire nut the ground wires jointly and add a pigtail to connect the switch.

Additional Notes

  • Note that once hot and neutral are both at the switch, we accept a lot of options for expanding this circuit.  We could rent the hot wire onto two switches that extend to to an overhead fixture.  This could be used to reach United States of America independent control of a fan and illume fixture.  (Alternatively, modern technology gives us the ability to retrofit the switch over with a "sharp switch" that leave independtly hold in the lover and light on a traditional two-wire circuit).
  • It goes without expression:  Solitary perform this work if you are qualified (and licensed if necessary) and always switch off the power at the circuit breaker impanel before you get-go work.

ProTool Reviews has a similar pass around for wiring a ceiling fan that accounts for several diverse scenarios- pull up chains, multiple switches and more. If this article hasn't answered totally your questions, check out their guide and helpful diagrams.

What do you reckon? Have you made this type of circuit change in your own menage?

How Does a Remote Control Fan Work With a Light Switch

Source: https://www.oneprojectcloser.com/rewire-a-switch-that-controls-an-outlet-to-control-an-overhead-light-or-fan/