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DoAsFan
03-07-2006, 07:55 AM
Hi everyone,

I am replacing an older bathroom light/vent/heat switch with a newer one. The original switch has 3 black wires running into it and one white wire. There were also a few short segments of black wire zig-zagging down the back of the switch. There's also a ground.

The new switch has terminal connections for 3 wires on the left side, one on the right, and a ground also.

After plugging them all in and turning the power back on, the following is what I get:

1. The light switch works perfectly fine.
2. The vent switch doesn't activate the fan, unless the light switch is engaged.
3. The heat switch doesn't activate the heat, unless the light switch is engaged.

I tried changing terminal positions of the 3 black wires. This changes which switch controls the light/vent/heat, but the light remains the "controlling" factor.

There are 2 more white wires that were not connected to the original switch that had been tied together, tucked in the back of the outlet box. I'm curious whether I should be using 3 white wires and just one black? Or do I need to somehow patch the switch using those short segments of black wire.... not sure how to proceed. :confused:

Help is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

SPARKY
03-17-2006, 01:32 PM
I belive the black wire for the light is the hot wire this would explain that the other things work when the light is on it may need to be moved to the right side so it powers all the devices a voltage meter or light would help you determine this don't use the other two white wire it would be a derect short. :o