Ceiling Fan with Light Symbol
Definition: The Ceiling Fan with Light symbol represents a combined ceiling-mounted fan and integral light kit — shown in residential wiring diagrams per NEC Article 422 — with three independently wired pins (Fan Hot, Light Hot, and Neutral) enabling separate wall-switch or remote control of the fan motor and the light fixture from a single ceiling outlet box.
Also known as: ceiling fan with light kit, fan-light combo, ceiling fan light combination, fan with light, ceiling fan and light fixture.
What the Ceiling Fan with Light symbol means
The Ceiling Fan with Light symbol indicates a combined ventilation and lighting fixture at the ceiling. The Fan Hot pin receives the switched line voltage for the fan motor (speed control), the Light Hot pin receives the switched line voltage for the light kit (on/off or dimming), and the Neutral pin is shared by both the fan motor and the light kit as the return path to the supply neutral.
This three-wire arrangement requires a 14/3 or 12/3 NM cable from the switch box to the ceiling fan box, providing two independent switched conductors. If only a 14/2 cable is available, a single switch controls both fan and light together — in this case the Light Hot and Fan Hot pins are both connected to the single hot conductor from the switch. Remote-control receiver modules allow both functions to be independently controlled over a single 14/2 cable by encoding fan-speed and light commands on RF or IR signals.
How to identify the Ceiling Fan with Light symbol
The Ceiling Fan with Light symbol is drawn as a circle with curved blade shapes (like the plain ceiling fan symbol) plus a downward-pointing oval or teardrop shape at the bottom of the circle representing the light kit globe or fixture. The three pins are: Fan Hot (top-left), Light Hot (top-right), and Neutral (bottom). In floor plans it appears at the room ceiling centre.
Function and usage boundary
The ceiling fan with light fixture provides dual functions: motor-driven air circulation for comfort and energy savings, and overhead ambient lighting, from a single ceiling outlet. The light kit typically uses LED, CFL, or incandescent bulbs in a globe or diffuser. The fan motor and light circuit are electrically separate, allowing independent speed adjustment and dimming where the switch configuration supports it. The designator in wiring schedules is typically F/L or CFL.
Standards: IEC vs ANSI
| IEC 60617 | IEC 60335-2-80 covers safety for fans; IEC 60598-1/-2-1 covers luminaires (light fittings). A ceiling fan with integral light is covered by both standards as a combination appliance. IEC 60617 does not define a specific symbol; European drawings use annotations. |
|---|---|
| ANSI/IEEE 315 | NEC Article 422 (appliances) and NEC Article 411 (lighting systems) both apply to ceiling fan light kits. UL 507 covers the fan portion and UL 1598 covers the luminaire portion. Fan-rated electrical boxes must be listed for the combined weight of fan and light. The symbol follows residential wiring drawing conventions. |
| Key difference | ANSI/US residential drawing practice uses the dedicated three-pin ceiling fan light symbol. IEC-standard drawings use a motor symbol or text annotation for the fan, combined with a luminaire symbol for the light, rather than a unified glyph. |
The displayed SVG is the live editor implementation, not a licensed reproduction or certification of an IEC or IEEE database glyph. Verify the exact official entry and project edition before issuing work.
Logical terminals
| Logical ID | Editor terminal name |
|---|---|
| fan_hot | Fan Hot |
| light_hot | Light Hot |
| neutral | Neutral |
Where the Ceiling Fan with Light symbol is used
- Residential bedrooms and master suites — dual-function ceiling fixture saving a separate light fitting
- Living rooms and great rooms — combination comfort fan with decorative chandelier-style light kit
- Covered patios and screened porches — outdoor-rated (damp/wet-rated) fan-light combos for warm-climate outdoor rooms
- Home offices and studies — independently controlled fan and task-ambient lighting
- Hotels and B&Bs — common feature in room design, controlled via wall remote or IR/RF handset
- Small retail and restaurant spaces — decorative fan-light combos as energy-efficient comfort and lighting solution
Key facts
- A ceiling fan with light has three wiring pins: Fan Hot (motor supply), Light Hot (light kit supply), and Neutral (shared return) — requiring 14/3 or 12/3 cable for independent control.
- If only 14/2 cable is available, Fan Hot and Light Hot must be connected together and controlled by a single switch, with no independent control of fan and light.
- RF or IR remote receiver modules allow independent fan-speed and light control over a single 14/2 cable by decoding wireless commands.
- NEC Article 422 requires a fan-rated electrical box — not a standard lighting box — rated for the combined dynamic load of the fan motor plus the static weight of the light kit.
- Light kit dimming is only possible with dimmable-compatible fans; using a standard wall dimmer on the fan speed circuit (fan's Hot pin) can damage the motor and is prohibited by UL 507.
- Energy Star rated ceiling fan + light combinations are at least 60% more efficient than standard models and include efficient LED light kits.
- The fan direction switch (forward/reverse) is physically on the motor housing and sets summer mode (counter-clockwise from below, downdraft) or winter mode (clockwise from below, updraft to recirculate warm air).
Frequently asked questions
What does the ceiling fan with light symbol mean in a wiring diagram?
The ceiling fan with light symbol represents a combined overhead fan and light fixture with separate wiring for the fan motor and light kit. The Fan Hot pin receives the switched power for the fan, the Light Hot pin receives the switched power for the light, and the Neutral pin is the shared return. Separate switched conductors allow the fan and light to be operated independently.
What does the ceiling fan with light symbol look like?
The symbol is a circle with curved blade shapes (fan blades) plus a downward oval or teardrop shape representing the light globe. It has three pins: Fan Hot (top-left), Light Hot (top-right), and Neutral (bottom). In floor plans it appears at the room ceiling centre and is connected by dashed lines to its controlling wall switches.
What cable do I need for a ceiling fan with separate fan and light switching?
Independent fan and light switching requires a 14/3 NM cable (or 12/3 for a 20 A circuit) from the switch location to the ceiling box. The three conductors carry: black (Fan Hot, controlled by fan switch), red (Light Hot, controlled by light switch), and white (Neutral shared). A green or bare copper equipment ground is also required.
Can I use a regular wall dimmer on a ceiling fan with light?
No. A standard incandescent or LED wall dimmer must not be used on the fan motor circuit — dimming a fan motor causes overheating, vibration, and potential fire. Only use a fan-speed controller specifically rated for ceiling fan motors on the Fan Hot circuit. The Light Hot circuit may use a compatible LED dimmer if the light kit is dimmable.
What is the difference between the ceiling fan symbol and the ceiling fan with light symbol?
The plain ceiling fan symbol has two pins (Hot and Neutral) and represents a fan without an integral light kit. The ceiling fan with light symbol has three pins (Fan Hot, Light Hot, Neutral) and represents the combined fan-and-light fixture; the third pin (Light Hot) enables independent switching of the light kit from the fan.
What type of ceiling box is required for a ceiling fan with light?
A fan-rated electrical box is required — it must be marked for fan support and listed under UL 514C or UL 514E. Fan-rated boxes are typically rated for 35 kg (77 lb) dynamic load. The combined weight of a fan plus a heavy chandelier-style light kit may approach or exceed this limit; check the fixture weight against the box rating before installation.
Can I control a ceiling fan with light using a single cable if it only has two conductors?
Yes, but both the fan and light will be controlled together by one switch. Alternatively, a wireless RF/IR receiver module installed in the ceiling box can independently control fan speed and light level via a handheld remote, using only the single 14/2 cable for power — the receiver decodes the RF commands and distributes power to the fan motor and light kit independently.
Related symbols
- AFCI/GFCI Combo Breaker symbol
- Attic Fan symbol
- Ceiling Fan symbol
- IR Receiver symbol
- Outlet symbol
- Whole-House Fan symbol
Physical breadboard, PCB, and panel mapping
No universal physical profile is published for this symbol yet. Create a versioned custom part from the exact manufacturer dimensions and terminal map before fabrication.
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