forward/reverse ceiling fan needs 4 wires. - how?

[Piper]

I've just purchased 2 ceiling fans from princess auto (Canadian version of HF). They have the ability to spin in both directions. The wiring that is for the motor has black, white, red, blue AND ground wires. So, in order for the fan to run in 1 direction or the reverse, each of these 4 wires need to come from a double pole, double throw switch at the wall. (Reading the manual that comes with the fans indicates that the combination of red with black or blue with black determines motor direction.) FWIW, the controller that comes with these fans only has speed selection, not some circuit that allows for 14-3 wiring to be used.

So, my long winded question is, what wire should I use? I need 4 conductors and ground to be fed to these fans. Can I use 2 jacketed runs of 14-2 wire keeping the white and black in one as white and black while on the other wire run tape code the white and black into blue and red?

I've got a rough in inspection on Tuesday and need to get this figured out ASAP!

I can't have the DPDT switch at the fans; they're 20 feet in the air. I do want to be able to select spin direction.

What does the code say on this?

Piper

 

[kbs2244]

I don't know Candian code, but I would expect it would only be concerned with wire size.

Do it like the directions say, with the right sized wire for the load (not much) from the switch to the fan, and you should be OK.

 

[tfi racing]

What you are planning should be acceptable,maybe run a 14/3 with a 14/2 so you have a spare conductor if you ever need it in the ceiling,also watch your box fill at the controller end,you will need extra room for the device(s).

 

[Torque1st]

Run the appropriate size wire for the breaker on the circuit. TFI has a good idea to run a 14/3 and a 14/2 if you are using a 15A breaker. Remember the bare or green ground wire can not be used as a live conductor or neutral.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

It sounds as if they are using the red and blue wires as hots (forward and reverse) and the black as neutral or common, so I would think all you need is three wires and the ground.

I think the reverse is highly over rated. Mine have been blowing down since I installed them last September. Cannot see any good reason to have them blowing upward.

Charles

 

[Torque1st]

It sounds as if they are using the red and blue wires as hots (forward and reverse) and the black as neutral or common, so I would think all you need is three wires and the ground.

I think the reverse is highly over rated. Mine have been blowing down since I installed them last September. Cannot see any good reason to have them blowing upward.

Charles

I have ceiling fans in every room and I never switch them into reverse either. They blow downward in both winter and summer.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The fan in the great room of my house has run 24/7 since I moved in in '97. Only time it gets turned off is to clean it, or the nearby dormer window, or when my brother and wife and niece come to town (fan blast bugs my SIL). I don't have any returns on the central system except one under the stairs in the great room, which opens up to a loft second floor. Total height from floor level of first floor to peak of second floor inside is about 20 ft. I use this fan, mounted at about 8 or 9 ft, to draw hot air down from above and make it available for the return duct. Temps in the house are much more even when it runs.

In the shop the fans are at 15 ft level (building is just under 21 ft inside at the peak). Pushing air up would not do much good, roof purlins in this metal building pretty well would restrict a forced up air flow, but drawing air down thru the fans does a pretty good job of bringing the hot air to the floor, to blow out the doors in the summer, or to help warm things up in the winter.

Charles

 

[KCarGuy]

Just about all the ceiling fans that I have ever wired up, only need a Ground (green), a neutral (white) and a hot (red) to get it wired and ready. The directional switch just needs to be switched to the up or down position for "upward air" or "downward air" current. And I have to agree, I only use mine in the "Downward" air, Winter and Summer.
The Blue wire may just be the extra "hot" leg for an addition of a light fixture. If you open the bottom up, there may just be an extra ground, nuetral and Blue wire just "hanging out" just for that purpose. This way you can control the light seperately from the fan.
If you are not planning on adding a light, do not even bother with them.
Good Luck.