Expert: Master Bob - 2/29/2004

Question
am retrofitting small ceiling exhaust fan into a 60-year old house.  fan is installed to light switch to come on at same time lights do.  fan works fine, but lights on same switch are very dim.  help?
thanks.
phil chase  

Answer
Hi Phil,

 Just getting back in from visiting the relatives...

 Based on your description...it sounds as if the fan and the light are wired in series - instead of parallel as they should be. In that mode - the load that has more current draw (in this case the fan) will draw more power then the lights....and therefore deprive the lights of full power. In parallel, all loads share the power equally - which is the normal wiring scenario.

 With the breaker off - Recheck wiring to see if the fan and light are tapped as follows:

Fan black to black from switch, fan white to white from switch. Light black to black from switch, light white to white from switch. This assumes that power was brought into the switch first. If the power was brought into the light or the fan first..please follow-up for wiring guidelines.

 Hope this helps...please follow-up if you have a wiring arrangement different from above.

Best Wishes,

Bob Osgood
Master Electrician

RKO ELECTRIC

www.rkoelectric.com