Step-by-Step Instructions on Wiring a Bathroom Exhaust Fan
The step-by-step instructions for wiring a bathroom exhaust fan (consisting of a fan and light) are simple but must be executed with an extreme amount of care. Follow the manufacturer's wiring diagram for properly connecting the electrical components and you will complete the project successfully. Some more complicated bathroom exhaust fans may include heaters, switches and timers that might require different wiring techniques.
Preparation
When working with electricity, make sure that you turn the power off at the circuit breaker or fuse box. As a secondary precaution, use a voltage protector to test the wires and make sure that the power is off. You may even want to put some sort of lock on the panel while you are working. This will prevent someone from turning the electricity back on by mistake.
If you're installing a fan/light assembly, which is replacing an existing light fixture, you may be able to use the existing wiring if you intend to use the switch to operate the fan and light at the same time. Your other option is to install a double-pole switch. This will allow you to operate the fan and light separately. You will have to run a three-conductor wire.
Wiring the Fan
Run a three-conductor wire between the exhaust fan and the switch box. The three-conductor wire has a red hot wire, black hot wire, wire and copper ground wire. If the existing cable is not secured in any way, attach the new conductor to the existing wires and pull the new wires from the switch box to the exhaust fan. If this method isn't feasible, you will have to use a fish tape to pull the new cable.
Remove about 6 inches of the conductor sheathing at both ends. Use a utility knife to strip a quarter-inch of the insulation off the end of each individual conductor. Feed the three-way conductor through the connector opening at the exhaust's fan electrical box, and tighten the screw.
At the fan's electrical box, connect the white neutral wire leading from the switch to the two white neutral wires in the box. Now connect the red wire leading from the switch to the fan lead or to the light lead wire. Connect the black lead wire to either the fan or light. Make sure that you attach a wire nut on each set of wires, and wrap the connections with black electrical tape.
Loosen the terminals on the double-pole switch. Working from the left side of the switch, tighten the top screw, as you will not need this terminal. Connect the feed wire coming from the panel to the bottom terminal on the left side of the switch. On the right side of the switch, remove the metal tab between the two terminals.
Connect the red wire to one of the terminals and the black wire, leading from the bathroom exhaust fan, to the other terminal. Connect the two white neutral wires. Wire-nut all the connections and wrap them with electrical tape.
Join the ground wires in the box and a piece of extra wire called a "pigtail." Fasten the pigtail to the ground terminal or screw on the switch.
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