On Feb 8, 10:00*pm, (Doug Miller) wrote:
In article , "Jay-T" wrote:
I am trying to figure out how to (or if I can) wire a ceiling fan and light
so that the fan and light are controlled separately -- and both are
controlled from two different sets of switches at two different locations.
The room has two doorways and I would like to be able to control the ceiling
fan and light individually from a set of switches located near each of the
doorways. *This *would be similar to having a ceiling light controlled by
two 3-way switches, with one at each doorway, except that in this case I
would like the switch sets to be able to control the ceiling fan and ceiling
fan light separately from either doorway.

Here is the existing wiring configuration:

The power/feed goes to the first switch setup at doorway "1" with 12/2 wire;
then 12/3 wire goes from there to the switch setup at doorway "2"; then 12/3
wire goes from there up to a ceiling light. *In other words, the room is
presently wired as a typical 3-way switch setup to a ceiling light, but the
wiring going up to the existing ceiling light was prewired with 12/3 wire
instead of 12/2 in case we ever wanted to replace the ceiling light with a
ceiling fan/light. *The ceiling box for the existing light was already
installed using a ceiling fan box in case the light was ever changed to a
ceiling fan/light fixture.

So, what I would like to do now is change the existing ceiling light to a
ceiling fan/light, and change the switch setup at each doorway to be able to
control the ceiling fan and ceiling individually from either doorway.

Is there a way to do this using the existing wiring that is now in place
(without using any wireless/remote devices)? *

No.

You don't have enough conductors in the existing wiring. You need 5 conductors
going from doorway 1 to doorway 2 (two travelers for each 3-way switch, plus
neutral). The 12/3 from doorway 2 to the ceiling box is sufficient (one hot
from each 3-way switch, plus neutral).

Further, it's likely that the existing switch boxes are not large enough to
accomodate the additional two conductors.

ASSuming that he rewires it so he has switch leg wiring, why would he
need a neutral between the two doorways? e.g. repull the feed so that
it goes to the ceiling box instead of doorway 1, then leave the 12/3
to doorway 1, then you'd need 12/4 to doorway 2 for 3-ways for both
fan and light. 12/3 from doorway 1 to doorway 2 to have control of
lights at both doorways and control of fan only at doorway 1.

I'm not sure that I would bother with a 3-way fan control however. I
think a 3-way for the light is a good idea but once you have the light
on, you could walk over to the other door to turn on/off the fan.

nate