Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - ceiling wiring
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Craig 2
06-05-09, 06:46 AM
I am trying to install ceiling fan light and it shows 3 wire hookup from ceiling box. My ceiling box has 2 separate sets of white, black and ground. Do I just cap one of the sets? What is the second set for? Thanks...
John Nelson
06-05-09, 11:04 AM
Unfortunately, there is more than one possible explanation. And capping off one set is never correct.
If you have more than one fixture controlled by the same switch, these two sets could be carrying power between the fixtures. More commonly, you have a switch loop.
What was there before? Can you just hook up the new fixture the same way the old one was connected?
If you have a switch loop, then one set of wires is providing power, and the other set is going to the switch. You cannot wire this properly unless you know which is which. The most common way to know is by observing how it was previously connected. Otherwise, you'll need some form of test equipment.
Once you know, you make the connections as follows:
(1) Power cable black to switch cable white. Neither of these wires is connected to the fixture.
(2) Power cable white to fixture white.
(3) Switch cable black to fixture black.
(4) All grounding wires and screws connected together.
If you have more than one fixture controlled by the same switch, these two sets could be carrying power between the fixtures. More commonly, you have a switch loop.
What was there before? Can you just hook up the new fixture the same way the old one was connected?
If you have a switch loop, then one set of wires is providing power, and the other set is going to the switch. You cannot wire this properly unless you know which is which. The most common way to know is by observing how it was previously connected. Otherwise, you'll need some form of test equipment.
Once you know, you make the connections as follows:
(1) Power cable black to switch cable white. Neither of these wires is connected to the fixture.
(2) Power cable white to fixture white.
(3) Switch cable black to fixture black.
(4) All grounding wires and screws connected together.
Craig 2
06-05-09, 12:42 PM
Okay, I figured out I have the switch loop setup. Following different directions I could not get the light (or remote) to work. I then took the remote out of the setup and was trying to figure out where the switch loop black got hooked into. The reply stated the power black which is also hooked up to the switch loop white and the fan power. So now it works but the wall switch has no effect (which at this state of frustration I am okay with). Thanks for the help, I think I will just go with the chain on/off for the ceiling light and fan.
Craig 2
06-05-09, 12:45 PM
I am safe to assume that if no sparks and it works that there will not be an electrical problem somewhere?
Craig 2
06-05-09, 12:51 PM
Oh and thanks John. Yes it was wired up to a fixture before I started but somewhere around trying to install a support bracket for the fan the wiring came apart (which I knew at that point I should take notes or something but too frustrated by wrestiling with the support bracket).