[tbussche]

I purchased a light kit for out ceiling fan. The instructions are connect the white wire to the white wire and the black wire to the blue wire. When I did this, the lights did not work, no power. I took the cover off at the ceiling and the blue wire was connected to a red wire. I thought that maybe the wall switch with the red dot would give power to the blue wire, but it didn't. I moved the blue wire from the red wire to the black wire and use the pull chains to control fan speeds.

Anyone know what the red wire in the ceiling is used for?

[Chatbrat]

The red wire is used as a switch leg to a separate light. Hire an electrician you are working above your pay grade.

[villagetinker]

Send me a PM with your phone number, I will explain. There was also a previous thread on this exact subject with all of the gory details. Basically, the RED wire is NOT connected in the switch box, and needs to be connected. IF YOU ARE NOT CONFORTABLE DOING THIS CALL AN ELECTRICIAN.

[tbussche]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Send me a PM with your phone number, I will explain. There was also a previous thread on this exact subject with all of the gory details. Basically, the RED wire is NOT connected in the switch box, and needs to be connected. IF YOU ARE NOT CONFORTABLE DOING THIS CALL AN ELECTRICIAN.

Will be out of town Monday. Will pm when I return.

[blyarbrough]

PM me and I'll tell you how to wire it up.....I just did 4 of my own.

[Walter123]

FYI - the wall switch with the red dot controls half of a wall outlet somewhere.
The red wire you saw is a traveler wire used in 3 way switch setups.

[Walt.]

Originally Posted by tbussche

... connect the white wire to the white wire and the black wire to the blue wire. When I did this, the lights did not work, no power. I took the cover off at the ceiling and the blue wire was connected to a red wire. I thought that maybe the wall switch with the red dot would give power to the blue wire, but it didn't. I moved the blue wire from the red wire to the black wire and use the pull chains to control fan speeds.

Anyone know what the red wire in the ceiling is used for?

Somehow this reminded me of the Danny Kaye routine in "The Court Jester."

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by Walter123

FYI - the wall switch with the red dot controls half of a wall outlet somewhere.
The red wire you saw is a traveler wire used in 3 way switch setups.

Walter123, while you are correct, there was also a RED wire in each of the ceiling fans in our house that went to the wall switch, but was not connected. This can be used to provide separate control of the lights and the fan from the wall switch. Of course the wall switch needs to be replaced to do this.

[Walter123]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Walter123, while you are correct, there was also a RED wire in each of the ceiling fans in our house that went to the wall switch, but was not connected. This can be used to provide separate control of the lights and the fan from the wall switch. Of course the wall switch needs to be replaced to do this.

Recently I have been installing home automation so I have been replacing light and fan switches with wifi switches which I can control by my phone or my Amazon echo using my voice. I found the red traveler wires wrapped in black tape! That made me pause. I don't know what electrical code would allow that.

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by Walter123

Recently I have been installing home automation so I have been replacing light and fan switches with wifi switches which I can control by my phone or my Amazon echo using my voice. I found the red traveler wires wrapped in black tape! That made me pause. I don't know what electrical code would allow that.

If that was in the switch box, my GUESS was to make sure it was insulated and did not accidently touch one of the hot wires or terminals. As I recall, mine had wire nuts on these.
Hope this helps.

[Topspinmo]

IMO pretty cheap to put ceiling fan up and not put light kits on it or wire it so one can be added! the more I look the more cheap sticks out

[Walter123]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

If that was in the switch box, my GUESS was to make sure it was insulated and did not accidently touch one of the hot wires or terminals. As I recall, mine had wire nuts on these.
Hope this helps.

Yes it was in the in the switch box but it wasn't insulation. The whole wire was actually taped to look like a black wire.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

IMO pretty cheap to put ceiling fan up and not put light kits on it or wire it so one can be added! the more I look the more cheap sticks out

how old your house is, but newer ones are wired this way. You just replace the switch and can control light and fan. Additionally, not everyone likes a light kit (I know I don't), not to mention the various styles of light kits that a homeowner might want. There's nothing "cheap" about not adding light kits.

[Chatbrat]

We dumped our builders line fan s in the Living room, lanai & master bedroom

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by photo1902

how old your house is, but newer ones are wired this way. You just replace the switch and can control light and fan. Additionally, not everyone likes a light kit (I know I don't), not to mention the various styles of light kits that a homeowner might want. There's nothing "cheap" about not adding light kits.

what switch? Talking about the three on the wall? If so why would they add switch and it not be wired?

O, lightbulb moment? So they can come back later charge for wiring and adding light kit? Years of service call down the road.