Ceiling Fans

[threeputt]

My son had two Ceiling Fans installed on his front porch a few years ago. It was done by a recommended electrician.

He tells me it has two separate switches for those fans. He said if they are both are running and he turns off the left fan first it will trip the breaker. Turning the right fan off first this does not happen.

The person that did this is no longer to be found and was wondering how he messed up in doing this install. Thanks for any info on this. I think if I knew exactly what was causing this I could fix it myself. THANKS. Tom

 

[malibu101]

That's a very strange problem. ?

Did it just start, or, has it happened since the install?
Being it's outside; Is there a GFCI involved? Not that a GFCI should matter.

 

[Marctrees]

It is very odd.

Further, I would not assume the installer "messed up" anything.

Really an assumption based on what?

Sorry, can't help further.

Marc

 

[Musicinabottle]

Wonder if they are 3 way switches that were hooked up incorrectly.

 

[threeputt]

It has did this since the person installed them several years ago. He just always turns the right switch off first but asked me if I knew someone who might know where there problem is. Other than being annoyed by it there is not a problem unless someone other than him turns them off. I can check and see if a three way switch was installed. THANKS. Tom

 

[threeputt]

That's a very strange problem. ?

Did it just start, or, has it happened since the install?
Being it's outside; Is there a GFCI involved? Not that a GFCI should matter.

Yes, there is a ground fault circuit interrupter installed and he said the best he can remember it has always did this. THANKS. Tom

 

[AntonLargiader]

If he turns off the left fan, and the breaker trips, can he reset the breaker if the right fan is still on?

Also, assuming it is a GFCI breaker, can he tell if the breaker is tripping on GF or tripping on short circuit?

 

[American Locomotive]

Is it a standard switch, or a three-way switch? Three-way switches generally don't say "On" or "Off", while standard switches do.

 

[threeputt]

I will ask him and see what he tells me then get back. THANKS. Tom

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Are the switches next to each other?

As said above- is the GFCI a breaker, an outlet or faceless model?

 

[Marctrees]

Interesting problem, hope the Collective figures it out.

The learning benefit is my interest.

Marc

 

[threeputt]

My son has been out of town on business . As soon as he gets back I will have him do the test. Thanks

 

[rnscustom]

I'd think he was tripping the gfi . Some sort of ground / common wire issues . Is it in a sub panel .

 

[rnscustom]

Or arc fault ??

 

[DSLTRK]

So you have the fans pulling off a GFI recep?

That's weird. I guess that could cause it, esp with cheapo china fans with bonded neutrals. Did you check the junction boxes to make sure a wire cap hasn't loosened?

I thought the problem could be you have each fan on a different hot, and the left fan switch is back-feeding 240V through the right fan. Seen that happen before.

These are single pole switches?

 

[Socket Pounder]

Similar situation came up in conversation recently and one of the switches was the wrong type and I think it was wired backwards to boot. Sorry, can't remember details but that might put you on the right track. But yeah, pull the switches and make sure they are right.

 

[PT Doc]

Time to pull out both switches and check for proper wiring. Then check wiring at the ceiling fans. Do they have lights and have a 4th wire?

 

[threeputt]

Sorry I have not posted back on how things went with this electrical problem but my son has not checked what I told him to yet. He is over loaded at work and just not had time to check this. I will get on him because of me posting about what the problem might be. THANKS to all and when I get him to check this I will post back. Tom

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Similar situation came up in conversation recently and one of the switches was the wrong type and I think it was wired backwards to boot. Sorry, can't remember details but that might put you on the right track. But yeah, pull the switches and make sure they are right.

If it was a single pole switch, no way it can be wired backwards as there is no difference between the 2 screws.