Light switch/vent switch?

Question

Recently we switched out light switch in our bathroom, because it was acting up...we matched up the wiring just as it was with the old switch....but now when we turn the lights on the vents turn on too, and i notice that there was another wire on the back of the switch, but i figured it was to ground it...

Answer 1

There are single gang, two switch modules available.

you'll have to get one.

If that "another wire" was insulated, it was NOT the ground.

(The ground will be bare, and connects to the

strap on the switch. Some switches are 'self grounding'  

and will have a brass clip on the strap.

DO be sure that whatever device you install in a bathroom

is properly grounded)

Answer 2

Okay. Was it a double switch to begin with. You give me very little to go on. If it was a double switch,meaning two separate switches,then we have something to work with. First make sure the hot wire or white wire goes to both switches. The first switch will turn on the lights. Now, go to the switch that you want to operate the fan and connect the wire that goes to the fan to it. Now turn the breaker to the switch back on. Now, the first switch will operate the light and the second switch should operate the fan. (note-The hot wire is normally white,neutral wire is normally black,ground wire is normally green. This doulble switch will fit in a single switch housing.

Answer 3

What you did was put the light and fan on the same cuircut. You don't say how the fan went on before you changed the switch.

You either need to put in another switch for the fan or live with it.

Without seeing  how it was wired before I suggest putting in a seperate switch for the fan. You can buy a double switch that will fit in a single poll box at any decent hardware store, like Ace. (not walmart)

You will need to determine which black wire is hot then hook the black wire for both the light and the fan on the same side of the switch. The whites and grounds (assuming you are using 12/2 w ground wire) get hooked together. The grounds with the grounds and the whites with the whites.

Answer 4

When you had the old switch, could the vent fan and the light be turned on together or just one at a time? It sounds like the old switch was a 2-way. Need more info to go on.