I currently have a ceiling fan with light in my living room. It has no switch, and is controlled solely by pull chains. I would like to add recessed lighting to the room, and I would like to add two switches: one for the fan, and a dimmer for the recessed lighting. What is the simplest way of adding these two switches? A 3 wire switch loop? If so what is the proper wiring configuration.
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So there's no switch for this fan at all? You have to cut power at the breaker? Also, what access do you have above the box and into your walls?– MachavityCommented Mar 30, 2017 at 0:07
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The only switch is the pull chain. There is no wall switch. Sorry for the confusion. I have attic access above the room.– JakeCommented Mar 30, 2017 at 0:10
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Next question: you want two switches total (one fan and one lights) or two switches for the light and one for the fan?– MachavityCommented Mar 30, 2017 at 0:13
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How is this living room laid out?– ThreePhaseEelCommented Mar 30, 2017 at 0:23
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One switch for fan, one switch for recessed lights.– JakeCommented Mar 30, 2017 at 0:48
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1 Answer
You could probably get by running 14-3 wire from the box to a double gang box. Make the white wire your incoming hot, nut it to your two switches, wire switch #1 to the black, and finally switch #2 to the red. You can then attach the lights to your black at the box, and the fan to the red.
NEC recommends dropping a neutral to the box, however. If you can, get some 14/2/2 wire (4 line) and use the blue (or white-red stripe in some) to bring your hot in. Hook the white to the neutral and then nut it off in the switch box.
answered Mar 30, 2017 at 12:35
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"NEC recommends dropping a neutral to the box" this has been required for several years now.– user4302Commented Feb 1, 2018 at 17:22