help wiring ceiling fan/light with separate switches

[lksdrinker]

Looking to install a ceiling fan/light combo and am having some trouble planning out the wiring. I currently have a setup in my living room wherein I have 2 separate three way switches controlling the lights on the fixture (one is a dimmer) and then one fan control switch independent of the lights. (However, I did not do this install.)

I'm looking to install a fan/light in my kitchen and would like the switching to work the same way. This one I'm looking to do the work myself.

I understand how to wire up 3 way switches for the lights and I understand how I could wire up separate switches for the lights and fan. What is confusing me is how to make both work at the same time since there is only one neutral coming from the fan/light fixture.

I've already got some 12/2 and 12/3 romex which is what was used for the install in the living room. From my brief research however, it seems that I might need 12/4 to accomplish what I'm looking to do? Can anyone point me in the right direction?

 

[Ainsley]

you need 14/3 to do this. the neutral is shared, you only switch the hot.

edit:
I re-read your question carefully, I didn't notice you wanted to use a 3-way switch for the light.
run your 14/3 (or 12/3 if that is all you have) between the two 3-way switches and between the box with the fan and light switch and the fan. the hot for the light will go to the remote 3-way switch and the neutral will not need to go to this switch.
it is easier to explain with a drawing

 

[TheEquineFencer]

Looking to install a ceiling fan/light combo and am having some trouble planning out the wiring. I currently have a setup in my living room wherein I have 2 separate three way switches controlling the lights on the fixture (one is a dimmer) and then one fan control switch independent of the lights. (However, I did not do this install.)

I'm looking to install a fan/light in my kitchen and would like the switching to work the same way. This one I'm looking to do the work myself.

I understand how to wire up 3 way switches for the lights and I understand how I could wire up separate switches for the lights and fan. What is confusing me is how to make both work at the same time since there is only one neutral coming from the fan/light fixture.

I've already got some 12/2 and 12/3 romex which is what was used for the install in the living room. From my brief research however, it seems that I might need 12/4 to accomplish what I'm looking to do? Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Are you trying to be able to dim with one dimmer switch and have the three way work just turn the lights on from either switch? If so, the dimmer needs to go between the "hot" feeding the light from the 3-way going to the load/light.

 

[lksdrinker]

Yes,
I'm planning on using a pair of 3 way switches for the light; one of those to be a dimmer. Separate from that I would like to have a fan control switch.

Basically I plan on doing what is shown the diagram below; but the "dimmer" switch is to be a 3 way paired to a normal non-dimmable 3 way switch.

View media item 43827

 

[wssix99]

Yea, you are fine as long as your traveler for the 3-way switches is already in place.

The hardest part about this - IMO - is finding a ceiling fan that will play this game. I had to look for a long time to find an "old style" ceiling fan that had separate fan and light wires. It seems that most fans being sold today have a two wire setup with an integral remote built into the fan, where the motor and light circuits split.

 

[GuyllFyre]

The hardest part about this - IMO - is finding a ceiling fan that will play this game. I had to look for a long time to find an "old style" ceiling fan that had separate fan and light wires. It seems that most fans being sold today have a two wire setup with an integral remote built into the fan, where the motor and light circuits split.

I haven't noticed this, myself.
Shopping at both Lowes and Home Depot, most of them are still the two piece fan/light with a separate wire for each if you want to do it that way.

Running the wiring is the annoying part if it's not already in place.
That's where using a unit with a remote can be a much easier option for most people.

 

[wssix99]

I haven't noticed this, myself.
Shopping at both Lowes and Home Depot, most of them are still the two piece fan/light with a separate wire for each if you want to do it that way.

Looking for a modern style white fan at Home Depot, there was only two models available by internet only. While I was getting my wiring in order, one was discontinued and I was left with one choice. I think this is "the thing" for the new stuff coming out.

I would have never caught this except my electrician warned me that they were seeing this change.

 

[lksdrinker]

Thanks for the advice guys. With any luck I'll have some time to finish this up fairly soon.

I ran into a few other snags as I was running my wires for this setup this weekend though....cutting a hole for the new switch box uncovered a J box behind the paneling with no access (not the first hot buried junction I've found in this new house.....however, the metal casing on the BX in this particular box had been cut about 4 inches higher than the box itself so nothing was actually grounded!). I hate finding these things but am glad to get them corrected now before they pose a problem.

Oh, I dont think I'll have a problem finding a fan with separate leads. The one installed in my living room was just purchased at HD in the past few months. Worst case scenario I'll get the exact same one.