How do you wire a bathroom exhaust fan with light?

Use the red wire in the 3-conductor cable to put the light and fan on different switches. Connect the hot wire from the fan to the black wire from the switch and the hot wire from the light to the red wire from the switch. The hot wires in the unit may be colored differently.

How do you wire a bathroom exhaust fan with one switch?





Mount the fan and light and move to the switch box. Connect the black wire from the fan to the bottom terminal of the switch and the live circuit wire to the top terminal. Splice the white wires together and cap them. Twist the ground wires together and connect them to the green ground screw on the switch.

How many wires are needed for a bathroom fan?

When installing a fan-only or a fan/light combination unit operating on one switch, run a 14-2 wire set. When using two switches to operate a fan/light combination unit, run a 14-3 wire set.

What wire do I use for a bathroom fan?

A 15-amp circuit breaker is used by most bathroom fans. Fans with heaters need a 20-amp circuit breaker and 12-gauge wiring. If you want to confirm this, use the manufacturer’s electrical specifications.

Does a bathroom fan need to be on its own circuit?

Bathroom Circuits



If the vent fan has a built-in heater, it must have its own 20-amp circuit. This is called a “dedicated” circuit because it serves only one appliance or fixture. Heat lamps, wall heaters, and other built-in heating appliances may also require dedicated circuits.

Can a bathroom fan and light be on the same circuit?





This is acceptable. Many bathroom fans include lights with the intention of both being wired to one switch on the same circuit. They can also be wired separately to different switches.

How do I wire a light and fan to one switch?

Wiring Ceiling Fan and Light Operated With One Switch

  1. Connect the green/bare copper wires together.
  2. Connect white wires together.
  3. Connect black wires together.
  4. Connect the lighting wire, typically blue, to the black fan wire and the black ceiling wire.
  5. Tuck the wires back into the box.

Can you use a regular switch for a bathroom exhaust fan?

If it’s a typical small one speed bathroom fan you can use any on/off switch that matches the load specs; just don’t use a dimmer switch intended for lights. If it’s a large ceiling fan or a variable speed fan, then you need to use one of the purpose – built fan switches: both Leviton and GE make these.

How do you get a light and fan switch on separate switches?

Separate switches for ceiling fan and light

  1. take the 2 wires on the switch that controls the outlet off the switch, twist them together in a wire nut, and push them into the back of the box. …
  2. In the ceiling, connect the red hot wire to the blue wire controlling the fan.

Can bathroom fan be on 15 amp circuit?



Important NEC Bathroom Regulations



General lighting/fan circuit required: Each bathroom should have a circuit for lighting and an exhaust fan. According to the Code, this circuit may be a 15-amp circuit if it serves just lighting, but it should be a 20-amp circuit if it is also serving a vent fan.

Do bathroom fans need GFCI?

Although the National Electrical Code (NEC) does not have a requirement for a bathroom exhaust fan to be GFCI protected, it is often specified by the manufacturer in the installation instructions when the fan is over a tub or shower.

Do light switches in bathroom need to be GFCI protected?

As mentioned above, GFCI protection is required for any electrical outlets or switches that are in the area where you could get wet while using your bathroom. This includes the bathtub area, sink area, and shower stall.

What are the differences between GFCI circuit breaker and GFCI receptacle outlets?



GFCI Receptacle vs Breaker: Functionality

GFCI Receptacle GFCI Breaker
Protects only 1 outlet if it’s single-location Protects every outlet in the circuit
Protects downstream outlets if it’s multi-location Only one is needed per circuit

Can you install a bathroom fan above a shower?

You can place the fan directly over the bathtub or shower base, but it’s sufficient to position it anywhere near the bathing area. If the bathroom has both a tub and shower, or a shower and a whirlpool tub, the fan should go somewhere between the two fixtures.

Where should a bathroom fan vent to?

The fan exhaust must vent directly to the exterior of the home. Do not put the vent termination in a roof overhang or soffit. Don’t put it on a wall near or under a roof overhang. The moist air that’s belched out by the fan can be sucked right up into the open soffit vents and be drawn into your attic.

Should I run the bathroom fan while showering?

Showers increase the humidity in the bathroom. Sometimes it gets high enough to cause condensation to appear on the mirror and other surfaces in the bathroom. And that can result in mold growth. So you should always run your bath fan when you shower.