Switching it up has never been simple
Sometimes, two choices are better than one! If you have a ceiling fan with a light kit, you’d probably like the option to use them independently of each other. If you’re not keen on having to reach for a pull-chain or track down a remote control every time you want to turn on the fan or switch off a light, your best bet is to connect the unit to separate switches. So, how do you wire a ceiling fan with two switches? It’s actually a simpler process than you might think—here’s what you need to know.
The single most important thing before thinking about how to wire a ceiling fan is to cut the power to the fixture. You’ll need to do this at your fusebox, flipping the right switches (or removing the fuses altogether) to ensure no power is flowing to the wires you’ll be working with. Use your voltage tester after to confirm that the power is off and that it’s safe to use.
You’ll also need to verify that your current wiring is set up to support a two-switch system for your fan and light. You can figure this out by looking at the switches in the room and the wiring in your ceiling—there needs to be three wires coming from the house circuit: one for power, one for the fan, and one for the light. This guide assumes you already have this home wiring. If not, you’ll need to brush up on how to install a ceiling fan without existing wiring or possibly hire an expert.
If you’re using a new fan and light kit, you’ll need to set it up before getting into electrical tinkering mode. Feed the wires from your motor through your fan’s downrod (if using one), then attach the rod to the rest of the unit. Then, add your coupling cover and your ceiling canopy to the assembly.
You’ll also need to attach the grounding wire and install the mounting bracket on your ceiling. Have a look at your manufacturer’s instructions, because different types of ceiling fan mounting brackets will have slightly different installation steps. For more info on this part, you can read up on how to replace a ceiling fan safely and easily.
Once your fan is mostly assembled and your bracket is securely installed, it’s time to hang the fan. Carefully lift the unit and insert the hanger ball into the bracket. If you’re not sure about this step, take a moment to learn how to install a ceiling fan, and be sure to refer to the instructions that come with your fan kit.
Before you can understand how to wire a ceiling fan, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the standard color code that these units use. Bear in mind that some manufacturers might use different colors—so if you’re not sure, always go with the instructions included with your fan kit.
Generally, wires connected to your house are coded as follows:
Black: the ‘hot’ wire, which connects to your home’s power; there should be an additional black switch to power the fan
White: the neutral wire needed to complete the circuit
Bare Copper or Green: the ground wire, which protects your fan from power surges
Blue: attaches to the light unit on your fan (may be red, not blue)
Red: sometimes included as a conductor wire (may be blue, not red)
The wires you’ll likely see on your fan unit are:
Black: connects to the fan
Blue: connects to the light on your fan
White: neutral wire
Green: grounding wire
Red: sometimes included as a conductor for the fan’s light kit
The following few steps are a simple matter of connecting matching wires. Using your wire strippers to bare the ends of your wires and screw them in with connectors, you’ll follow these steps (and your manufacturer’s instructions) to safely connect your electricals. First, connect the black wire from your fan unit to the black wire in the junction box (the space in the ceiling where the fan will hang).
Next, connect the ends of your light wires together—this allows you to control the light with a switch that is separate from the fan. This should be a blue wire on the fan kit side, and either a red or a blue wire coming out of your ceiling.
Connect your fan’s white, neutral wire to the white wire coming out of your ceiling. This connection completes the circuit.
Connect the green grounding wire on your fan to the green or bare copper wire coming out of your ceiling. This is the grounding wire, which is very important to wire properly. This is the last step to wiring your ceiling fan to the ceiling junction box.
On the light switch side now, start by unscrewing the switch cover to access the wires underneath. You’ll need to strip the end of your black, hot wire, which supplies power from your home. Split the ends into a Y, and connect each end to its respective terminal on your two light switches.
Now that your switch is set up to be supplied with power and your ceiling fan is connected to the switch, you just need to make a few final connections to allow the switches to control your fan and lamp.
Connect your black wire (the fan wire) to the screw on your first switch, and connect the red wire (the home circuit end of your light wire) to the screw on your second switch. Then, connect your white neutral wires to complete the circuit. Lastly, connect your green/copper ground wires.
Now that everything is wired up, it’s time for the finishing touches. Tuck all excess wires back into their boxes, both in your ceiling and on the wall switch. Replace your wall switch cover and wrap up any remaining steps to install the rest of your fan’s components, such as the blades.
With everything wired and squared away, here comes the moment of truth! Turn the power back on at your fusebox, and try out your handiwork. Switch number one should only turn on your fan unit, while switch number two should turn the lights on and off. If this is all working properly, then congratulations—you’ve just learned how to wire a switch for a ceiling fan!
As you can see, wiring a ceiling fan to two switches is actually quite straightforward. However, matters quickly become more complicated if your home isn’t already wired to support this. If you need to rewire and install new switches, this becomes a more complex task. It’s certainly not impossible, but it might be worth contacting a local ceiling fan installation company to help with this step—especially if you’re not particularly confident with electrical systems.
Ceiling fan installation costs can range from $50 to $200 in labor, depending on the complexity of the project.
If your home doesn’t have the existing wiring to power a ceiling fan, you may need to hire a certified electrician to set it up for you. Building codes in some parts of the country require this part to be done by an expert. And in general, you want peace of mind that your electricals are installed correctly.
If your home already has wires for a ceiling fan (and optional light kit), then it’s quite safe to wire and install it yourself. Always be very careful to shut off the power before you begin, and confirm that the power is safely off with a non-contact voltage tester before touching anything. It’s also highly recommended to use eye protection, rubberized gloves, and tools with rubber handles to keep yourself safe from electric shock.
