AboutMaster Bob Expertise Master Electrician / Owner RKO Electric (USA Only) - can answer most of the typical residential, commercial and industrial electrical questions regarding new installations, wiring additions, lighting, switches and receptacle outlets and electrical upgrades of any nature.I will make every effort to respond to your questions as soon as possible at the end of the work day...very busy electrical company - your patience is appreciated. Stop by and see us at: www.rkoelectric.com
Experience Licensed Master Electrician with over 32 years licensed experience - updated with the latest NEC Codes every 3 years. Over see the daily electrical operations of two electrical companies. Also serve as a judge (for Electrical Contracting Products Magazine) to help select which new products are fit and safe for electricians and the electrical market.
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.
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