Notes:
- Before rewiring any ceiling fan, turn off electrical current at source by switching off circuit breakers.
- WARNING: Failure to disconnect power supply to ceiling fan may result in serious injury or death.
Steps:
- Check wires and make sure to observe and write down what wire color from the fan is connected to what terminal number on fan switch (1, 2, 3, L).
- Cut the four wires from the existing fan switch using wire stripper and set it away.
- Strip wires around 1/2 inch.
- Connect the Black wire (L) from the new fan switch to wire noted in step 1.
- Connect the red wire (1) from the new fan switch to wire noted in step 1.
- Connect the Blue wire (2) from the new fan switch to wire noted in step 1.
- Connect the White wire (3) from the new fan switch to wire noted in step 1.
- Secure connection between the wires using wire connectors by twisting them clockwise (Connection of wires must be tested and verified, otherwise it may result in fire hazard, electrical shock or serious injuries).
Color Codes For Fans (Your Fan Wires Color & Position May Vary)
- Harbor Breeze ceiling fan: L=Black, 3=Purple, 2=Brown, 1=Grey
- Hampton Bay ceiling fan: L=Black, 3=Grey 2=Brown, 1=Purple
- Hampton Bay ceiling fan – Alternate colors: L=Black, 3=Yellow, 2=Purple, 1=Red
- Hunter ceiling fan: L=Black, 3=Green, 2=Brown, 1=Grey
- Some basket fans: L=Black (power), 3=Black (not power), 2=Blue, 1=Red
- Some exhaust fans: L=Black (power), 3=White, 2=Brown, 1=Red
Additional Wiring Guide
- L: Black
- 3: Attached to motor wire
- 2: Attached to motor wire
- 1: Attached to reverse switch terminal
Capacitor Information
Usually, there is no connection between this switch and the fan capacitor; however, the capacitor should have one microfarad reading and should have 2-3 wires. Two of the wires should be the same color on one end, for example, one end has 2 reds and the other end has 1 White
Useful Links:
Hello,
What is the model number of the old switch?
Thank you
Sorry I do not have the old switch
Zing- Ear ZE-208S
shine top ls-102 6a125vac 3a250vac e218558
Don’t have it .
E88999
Well Tec#E116997 for Hunter Ceiling Fan.
Hello,
Zing Ear ZE-268s6 is available on this link: https://www.ceilingfanswitch.com/product/zing-ear-ze-268s6/
ZE-268s6 replaces ZE-208s6, not ZE-208s
Thank you
Zing- Ear ZE-208S the wires on fan are: black, green, gray, and brown. Need schematic.
Please check the other instructions page via this link: https://www.ceilingfanswitch.com/2017/09/04/ze-208s-wiring-instructions/
I need wiring instructios for a Zin-Ear ZE-208S fan switch. The wires on the fan are green, black, brown and grey.
Please check the wiring instructions page via this link: https://www.ceilingfanswitch.com/2017/09/04/ze-208s-wiring-instructions/
What do 1,2,3 and L Stand for on the new switch ?
My wires are black, grey, purple, and brown. I wrote down where they went from the old one and only low works now
Can you please tell us what is the make and model number of the old switch?
Thank you
Youyan
2A-250 VAC
4A-125 VAC
E98999
Hi Steven,
Please visit our fan switch compatibility guide page: https://www.ceilingfanswitch.com/ceiling-fan-switch-guide/
That didn’t really help me. I had a ZE-208S and it had the black wire in position L. The new switch, ZE-268s2 when I hooked the wires the same as the old switch (L =black wire)it would not turn off, so I put the black wire in posistion 3 and it worked. I just want to know if it is safe that way, or is it a fire hazard? My wire colors are black, yellow, pink and grey. Please let me know if it’s safe or not. Thank you.
Hi Steven,
switch model ZE-268S2 is not a compatible replacement if black wire was attached to “L” on the old switch. We already mentioned this information on the switch page (switch compatibility section): https://www.ceilingfanswitch.com/product/zing-ear-ze-268s2/
If the terminal number sequence on the old switch is 1-2-3-L counterclockwise direction, and black wire was attached to “L”, then switch model ZE-208S would be a compatible replacement: https://www.ceilingfanswitch.com/product/zing-ear-ze-208s/
we also have it with 4 wires: https://www.ceilingfanswitch.com/product/zing-ear-ze-208s-e89885/
Thank you
Please help! My chain broke on my ceiling fan switch! It broke within the switch so it will have to be replaced. Problem is that my 4 wire colors do not match what is advertised. On one side of the switch they are orange and black. On the other side they are yellow and blue. Any recommendations as to what to do and a replacement switch and schematic for matching wires up? Switch is Zing-Ear ZE-208S.
Thank you
Is your old switch also ZE-208s? to what terminal number was the black wire attached?
My switch is ZE-208S. Color of wires are orange/black/yellow and blue. Don’t know which terminal the black wire was connected to . Fan was in office work area so I was limited for time and had to reassemble.
Yes that is the number on the switch inside my fan. ZE-208s. My colors are orange/black/yellow and blue. I do not know which terminal number the black wire was connected to since I put the fan back together. Only had a small amount of time to work on it since it’s above a secretarys work desk
– Unscrew the switch nut fastened to the current fan switch.
– Lower the fan switch and attached wires cautiously from the switch housing.
– Check wires and make sure to write down which color wire from the fan is connected to which wire on fan switch (1, 2, 3, L).
Ze-208s usually has the black wire in terminal “L”. Please check this link:
https://www.ceilingfanswitch.com/ceiling-fan-switch-guide/#ze-208s
I have a Z 80 208S for a harbor breeze the wires are pink gray black and yellow how do I wanna do is switch up
Have “DEFOND” E72989 switch which is broken, requiring replacement. 4 wires. Colours on the broken switch – L=red, 1=black, 2=blue, 3=black
Switch type to replace broken one, indicating wire colouring.
Hi Ken,
Please refer to our fan switch compatibility guide: https://www.ceilingfanswitch.com/ceiling-fan-switch-guide/
What do you do with the white wire from the cord to the fan. This is a floor fan on a pedestal. There is a red wire a black wire and a white wire. Where do they go?
Replacing a fan switch ZE 268s6 ( colors and inst #, L=Black, 1= Grey, 2= Brown, 3=green, ) can not match these numbers to new colors, advice ?
Hello,
If the old switch is the same exact model as the new switch then connect wires the same way as in the old switch based on the terminal number.
Thank you
Have a Zing Ear ZE-208 E-89885
Has 6 wires
Double decked
4 positions
2 positions have 2 wires
Bought a ZE-208D ll but dose not work.
If the old switch model number is ZE-208s E89885 then ZE-208D will not replace it.
I am installing a ZE_208s II E 89885 switch in my ceilng fan. I can’t seem to be able to push the wires into the new switch. They are stripped to the proper size. Any suggestions
Hi,
Please note the following:
Harbor Breeze 2 capacitor fan, speed switch chain pulled out and is stuck at medium speed. Switch is a ZE 208s , E89885. Replaced the switch trying 3 different ZE 208s all fail to start the fan. One setting on all 3 cause the fan to hum but not turn. If I reinstall the original the fan works at medium speed. All numbers on the replacement switches are the same except for a roman numeral II to the right of part number. Is the replacement no longer supporting a 2 capacitor fan?
Sorry, Hampton Bay fan.
SRY.! WTH does that mean? Sry it’s no longer available or sry, I can’t help you? Or sry yr having trouble finding yr. Part? SMDH
Colors of old switch wires are black brown gray and purple Don’t match up the colors of the wires of the new switch even thoughit’s the same number model switch can you wire it by sight proper ly wire
Please check this link for more details: https://www.ceilingfanswitch.com/2017/09/04/ze-208s-wiring-instructions/
Thanks for the reply. I tried following the site wire recommendations before my email and nothing works.
Original Hampton Bay fan switch is all black and wired L purple (from reverse switch), 1 gray, 2 brown, 3 black (from fan) 1 and 2 come from capacitors. Fan runs but stuck at medium speed because chain is broken.
Tried two red and one white switch and both fail the same way. Humming only at one switch position, dead at other positions . There is a compatibility issue between the old black 208s and the new ones. What is work around?
Hello,
It seems that ZE-208s is not a compatible replacement for your existing switch. The switch you may need is ZE-268s2; however, please visit this page to confirm if your existing switch is connected the same way: https://www.ceilingfanswitch.com/2019/06/27/zing-ear-ze-268s2-wiring-instructions/
the color of wires on my fan are yellow,purple,black and orange. so how do I hook up switch ze-208s to make my fan work.
please help lol.
Please check this link: https://www.ceilingfanswitch.com/ze-208s-wiring-instructions/
Thank you
My old 208S still works, but the “neck” is broken, so I purchased a new 208S. The only differences that I can see: the roman numeral ii on the new one, the new one has rectangular indentations on the surface where the old one has small circular holes, and the old one has 24 in the center where the new one has 16. The new one won’t operate the fan. I have wired it exactly the same as the old one. I have also tried every combination of wiring. Is the new one not compatible? The wiring that works on the old is: Black-L, Purple (reverse)-3, Brown (speed)-2, Gray (speed)-1.
Switch model ZE-208s comes in different part numbers, so if both switches have the same model number (ZE-208s), it does not mean they are compatible. Please check the compatibility guide to find a compatible switch: https://www.ceilingfanswitch.com/ceiling-fan-switch-guide/
I am unable to insert wires in side of new 280-B108-FB. What is the trick on connecting wires to new switch.
I have limited knowledge with wiring, and when i got the switch, none of the wires matched. But your instructions helped me figure it out right away. Great job!
need sw.
My Hampton bay fan switch has 2 black and 2 purple wires what goes to L 1 2 3
Thank you
Hi Clay
Please provide us with the following information:
– The make and model number of the old switch
– What is the sequence of the terminal number on the back of the old switch (clockwise or counterclockwise direction). The numbers are 1,2,3 with letter “L”
– To what terminal number is the black wire (AC line) attached on the old switch