We have one switch for the bathroom fan and light. I am not sure how to connect the new fan to my existing wiring. I have included pictures and would appreciate any help.
-
was it just a fan before and now it's a fan+light?– AckApr 12, 2020 at 19:04
-
No it was a fan/light working off one switch– OTesterApr 12, 2020 at 19:04
-
This fan requires either a two or three function wall switch - which do you have? There are several connection/function options. A single switch is not going to allow you to control functions separately. Also you should take our tour so you know how to participate here.– HoneyDoApr 12, 2020 at 19:13
-
Thank you for the info we will have to figure out how to add another switch– OTesterApr 12, 2020 at 19:23
-
1How many wires (black, white, red or any other color) are available to power the new fan/light? Is it the one in the picture?– HoneyDoApr 12, 2020 at 20:10
2 Answers
If I'm interpreting your pictures correctly, the cable you show is the one that went to the old light/fan. If that is the case unless you purchase a two function or three function switch as described in your installation instructions and run at least a 14/3 or 14/4 cable with ground you're not going to have separate controls for the light, fan and automatic humidity control.
With what looks like a 14/2 w/ground you will have to wire all three functions to your one single pole wall switch. That means when you flip the switch on, the light and fan will turn on together but you will lose the automatic humidity control feature. The black wire you see is for the light, the grey is for the fan and the brown is for the automatic humidity control feature.
The only other option from what I see is if you can run a new cable to the fan. Adding another switch doesn't help unless you have at least a 14/3 w/ground or 14/4 to include the automatic humidity control supplying the fan/light.
Edit
If you have only three wires (black, white & ground) going from the wall switch to the fan/light and you can't run another cable you might want to consider returning it and getting a simple fan/light setup that will work like your old one. Right now you're paying for features like the timer and humidity control that you can't use.
I just got off the phone with Broan-Nutone customer service 1-888-336-6151. I too have 12/2 wiring (black, white & ground) connected to a single wall switch.
Download the installation directions. On page 8 under 'Wiring Option 1' read down to "optional connection shown, fan will always be ON when light is ON".
It shows connecting the black (light) wire and the grey (fan) wire to the hot wire, which is the black wire. All white wires are connected together and all ground wires get grounded to the metal frame.
What it does not show is the Brown (humidity sensor) wire gets capped as the sensor can't be used with only 2 wires.
-
Good answer, but I edited it so that it isn't a direct reply to the original poster. The original question was asked a year and a half ago, so I'm pretty sure the original problem has been resolved. This is still a great answer for other people who end up here with the same question.– gnickoOct 28, 2021 at 22:48
-
@GregNickoloff also added some formatting so it was readable. That's a nice touch.– FreeManOct 29, 2021 at 15:13