Existing light switch and light --> 2 switches and light and fan

[TripleE]

If the title isn't clear enough, I'd like to wire a ceiling fan + light with a switch for each the fan and light. I have an existing switch that controls the current light (which will be taken down).

Coming into the gang box, I have the power source (hot/neutral/ground) going into the switch and then exiting to the current ceiling light. The circuit ends at the light. I need to take the one power source and supply 2 switches with the power. Here is how I've read it should be done:

Take the incoming hot and (pigtail?) into a wire nut and have two hot wires coming out. One will go to each switch.

Take the incoming neutral and attach to the neutral for the light and the neutral for the fan, but not the switches (is this correct?).

Take all the grounds and attach to both switches.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

You need 14/3 w/grd or 12/3 w/grd for this. Split your incoming hot to the two switches and one switch feeds the black and the other feeds the red of the 14/3 or 12/3 and the neutral simply wire nuts together and continues to the fixture, as does the grounds.

Charles

 

[TripleE]

Oh I see, the 14/3 w/grd is a 2 hots (black and red) 1 neutral (white) with grd? The neutral or grds don't connect to the switches?

I just ran a 14/2 w/grd and have the existing 14/2 w/grd; closed up the attic and put all the blow-in insulation back. Is there a correct way to use two 14/2 w/grds? Would it meet typical code?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

You don't switch the neutral, no need for it to do anything but pass thru the box on its way to the fan/light. The newer switches have a ground terminal on them, and if they do, you need to pigtail a ground to this terminal.

I did this very thing for a fan in my Dad's house years ago. Used a duplex switch (one of those that uses a receptacle cover plate) to fit two switches in one box, and pulled 14/3 to replace the 14/2 that was in place (good access topside to do this). Might have exceeded the box fill, but didn't know better at the time. Late '50's house with those tiny metal boxes. I hated working in those things.

Charles

 

[wssix99]

Home stores carry special switches that you can use where no additional wiring is needed. The existing light switch wires power the switch and it controls the light and fan with a remote unit that fits in the shroud of the ceiling fan. I've used one for the past 8 years and it works great.

Unless you have conduit in your house, running new wire will be a total pain.

 

[TripleE]

Yeah, I have an attic above and it was fairly easy to run the additional wire down to the gang box as there was already a wire there for the light.