I installed a bathroom fan with the intention of having the...

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Question by Bill
Submitted on 2/3/2004
Related FAQ: Electrical Wiring FAQ (Part 1 of 2)
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I installed a bathroom fan with the intention of having the fan go ON when the existing light in the bathroom goes ON. When I connected the wires from the fan to the light switch, I experienced an unsatisfying result: When the light is turned ON, the fan is OFF. When the light is turned OFF, the fan is turned ON. After this result, I switched around the cables in a number of different permutations, all to unsatisfactory results. Can anyone provide a suggestion on the proper wiring of a bathroom fan when a light is already present and you want both to go ON at the same time?

Answer by sparky
Submitted on 2/3/2004
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in your switch locate your switch-leg going up to your light (black wire) take it off switch wire nut it together with black wire going to fan with a single wire going back to the switch in same location wire nut white wires together & wire nut bare ground wires together reinstall switch & turn on fan should come on with light

Answer by Monkey
Submitted on 3/23/2004
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Please can Sparky provide a slightly more detailed explaination. I too am having the same problem.... Many thanks

Answer by D.Tiwari
Submitted on 4/7/2004
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It's useful to use a 120V neon indicator for this. Run BX cable from fan to the switch. Open switch box and connect the white wires U see there to the white wire of fan. The remaining black wire of the fan should connect to that terminal of the switch which is NOT HOT when switch is in OFF mode. Use the 120V neon to isolate-away the hot side of the switch.

Answer by electrician
Submitted on 4/27/2004
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If you cannot figure this out, you should not be doing wiring. It can be deadly.

Answer by tools
Submitted on 5/1/2004
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what's a "permutation"??

Answer by benz
Submitted on 9/18/2004
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simple. just connect the 2 wires of the fan to the 2 terminals (AC power) of the light bulb. In short, why not just connect them in parallel.

Answer by woman
Submitted on 11/8/2004
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Bill, if you're not dead yet, put away your tools and call an electrician. Some do-it-yourself projects save money and some burn down houses. Even I understood Sparky.

Answer by electrician
Submitted on 3/13/2006
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one wire goes to your light and the other wire comes from your panel or feed. they will both be on the switch. take the wire from the fan (black) and attach it to the wire that goes up to the light.it should also be black but not 100% it is so simple and yes if you are unfamiliar stay away more people get killed from 120 than 600 volt stuff trust me i work on the 600 stuff everyday hope this helps

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