2

I wanted to add a remote transmitter to my ceiling fan and the correpsonding wall switch. When removing the current switch (dual slider fan/light), I have five wires in the switch box. There is a blue wire that powers the light. A orange wire that powers the fan. There are two black (cloth wires twisted together); one of these is hot and the other is not--and ground. New switch only has two black and ground. (Current switch was wired as follows: Black from switch to both cloth blacks. Red from switch to blue. Yellow from switch to orange.) Confused how to wire new switch with only two blacks and ground. Thank you!!

wall configuration ceiling configuration

Improve this question
4
  • 1
    Have you already fitted the fan with the corresponding remote receiver? Also, what make and model is the new fan switch you're trying to install?
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Apr 25, 2020 at 23:46
  • Not yet. It is an Eogife3. But I see it says incandescent only. So thinking of getting one that handles LED. THX!!!
    – GPR Productions
    Apr 26, 2020 at 1:24
  • Now thinking of going with Lutron Caseta Wireless, so no transmitter needed.
    – GPR Productions
    Apr 26, 2020 at 4:36
  • You can edit your question to add more photos.
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Apr 26, 2020 at 20:50

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
1

The non-live black braided wire is not neutral. Wires are not neutral simply because a voltage tester doesn't light up. The non-live black is onward always-hot. It became de-energized because you disconnected it from supply when you separated it. I trust you did not do that hot :)

Take the blue wire out of service. Cap it off at both ends. Tape the cap down (they fall off single wires otherwise). That's the only time you ever tape a wirenut.

The LINE/SUPPLY black from the new switch joins the 2 cloth switches.

The LOAD/TO-FAN black from the new switch joins the one unattached wire (red).

Up in the fan, connect the fan controller to red and neutral.

Improve this answer
8
  • Thank you so much!! Just to confirm, I have an orange wire in box. Is that what you’re referring to as “red” load/to fan?
    – GPR Productions
    Apr 26, 2020 at 0:21
  • @GPRProductions Yeah sorry, orange. Wow, I'm a conduit guy who owns 11 colors of wire. I shouldn't make a mistake like that lol.
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Apr 26, 2020 at 4:23
  • Awesome. Thanks again!!!
    – GPR Productions
    Apr 26, 2020 at 4:34
  • @GPRProductions -- some of the higher-end Caseta stuff requires a neutral wire at the switchbox though
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Apr 26, 2020 at 12:47
  • Although, this is conduit, clearly from the funny wire colors, so a neutral could be pulled.
    – Harper - Reinstate Monica
    Apr 26, 2020 at 15:54

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.