Two switches can operate one fixture.
Wiring a ceiling fan with two three-way switches sounds much more complicated than it is. A three-way circuit is simply one that is controlled by two three-way switches. Three-way switches are usually located across a large room from another with both switches operating the same fixture. If you can wire a ceiling fan on a two-way circuit, you will be able to wire the ceiling fan to a three-way circuit.
Instructions
1. Turn off the power to the ceiling fan at the breaker panel.
2. Assemble the ceiling fan according to the manufacturer's directions. Leave out a fan blade during assembly. This gives you a place to stand without having a fan blade stuck in your stomach while you are wiring the fan.
3. Wire together the two wires that feed straight though the ceiling fan electrical box. These are two wires that will not be connected to the ceiling fan, but will connect together and feed directly to the second switch, connecting the two switches together. In the ceiling fan electrical box, twist the two red wires together with an orange wire nut. Twist the black wire and the white wire, labeled with black electrical tape, together with an orange wire nut. Push both sets of wires into the electrical box.
4. Attach the ceiling fan hanger bracket to the ceiling fan electrical box. The hanger bracket comes with your ceiling fan, and it attaches to the ceiling fan electrical box with two screws.
5. Wire the ceiling fan to the three-way circuit. Connect the two bare copper wires from the ceiling fan electrical box to the green wire attached to the hanger bracket by twisting an orange wire nut onto the wires. Twist together the white wire from the ceiling fan to the white wire in the electrical box using an orange wire nut. Twist together the black wire from the ceiling fan and the wire labeled light kit from the ceiling fan with the black wire from the electrical box using an orange wire nut. Push all wires into the ceiling fan electrical box.
6. Attach the ceiling fan to the hanger bracket. Four screws will hold the ceiling fan to the bracket. Attach the final fan blade.
7. Turn the breaker back on at the panel to supply power to the ceiling fan.
Tags: , orange wire, from ceiling, hanger bracket, black wire, three-way circuit, white wire