New construction issues

10 years ago

We recently moved into a new custom home. For the most part, we love it. And the builder appears to be fixing most of the minor issues that are arising.

We do have one issue with the builder that appears to be at an impasse.

We had seven ceiling fans installed throughout the house. For each fan, the builder put two switches in (which he claimed was according to code). Despite putting two wall switches in, the builder wired both the fan and light controls to a single switch, making the second adjacent switch serve no purpose. (These fans do come with remote controls, but are designed to be wired to two separate light/fan switches).

When we confronted the builder asking why the lighting/fan controls were not separately wired to the two different switches, his response was simply that it is standard to wire these controls to a single switch, and that he would not change them.

Am I correct in demanding that the builder remedy this issue, or is it actually standard to install the fans as he has?

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Comments (4)

PRO
Ellsworth Design Build
10 years ago
Of course not. Two switches for a fan, one for the fan, one for the dreaded light kit. What does he think the second switch is for?
handmethathammer
10 years ago
Can you turn off the light, but leave the fan on with the remote?

I don't see why they would have two switches code if the standard was to have one. That makes no sense.

That said, my house is about five years old and has a ceiling fan in the living room that has a remote for controlling the light, fan and speed controls. That ceiling fan has only one wall switch. The ceiling fan in the master bedroom does not have a remote, and has two switches on the wall (one for light, one for fan). Maybe the remote makes the difference in how it is wired. If the light and fan were on separate switches, the remote would not always work right.

Although I don't have a dead switch. That is so odd!
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susanalanandwrigley
10 years ago
We recently added a ceiling fan with light to our bedroom and it has separate hard wired wall switches for light and fan, plus a remote with separate switches for both. I think the electrician though it was overkill but I really wanted the dual controls on both wall and remote and am glad I have it. It is odd that they wouldn't wire yours that way.
User
10 years ago
"For each fan, the builder put two switches in (which he claimed was according to code)."

Probably misreading this code.

NEC 314.27

(C) Boxes at Ceiling-Suspended (Paddle) Fan Outlets

Outlet boxes or outlet box systems used as the sole support of a ceiling-suspended (paddle) fan shall be listed, shall be marked by their manufacturer as suitable for this purpose, and shall not support ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans that weigh more than 32 kg (70 lb). For outlet boxes or outlet box systems designed to support ceiling-suspended (paddle) fans that weigh more than 16 kg (35 lb), the required marking shall include the maximum weight to be supported.

Where spare, separately switched, ungrounded conductors are provided to a ceiling mounted outlet box, in a location acceptable for a ceiling-suspended (paddle) fan in single or multi-family dwellings, the outlet box or outlet box system shall be listed for sole support of a ceiling-suspended (paddle) fan.

It doesn't actually require two switches, or a two-gang box. It just requires that a box rated for a paddle fan be installed in the ceiling if a spare wire is run for a second switch.

Only ONE switch is required by the NEC.

210.70 Lighting Outlets Required. Lighting outlets shall be installed where specified in 210.70(A), (B), and (C).

(A) Dwelling Units. In dwelling units, lighting outlets shall be installed in accordance with 210.70(A)(1), (A)(2), and (A)(3).

(1) Habitable Rooms. At least one wall switch–controlled lighting outlet shall be installed in every habitable room and bathroom.

Exception No. 1: In other than kitchens and bathrooms, one or more receptacles controlled by a wall switch shall be permitted in lieu of lighting outlets.

Exception No. 2: Lighting outlets shall be permitted to be controlled by occupancy sensors that are (1) in addition to wall switches or (2) located at a customary wall switch location and equipped with a manual override that will allow the sensor to function as a wall switch.

"When we confronted the builder asking why the lighting/fan controls were not separately wired to the two different switches, his response was simply that it is standard to wire these controls to a single switch, and that he would not change them."

Would need to know the model of the fan and how the remote works to know if this can be changed. Some fan controls have both light dimmer and fan speed in one single switch space. You could always get cover plates that have one blank side.