I am installing a Hampton Bay Ceiling Fan that has a transmitter install for the remote. I have a green ground and a bare copper ground coming from my ceiling box. I have a green ground coming from the ceiling fan motor. The instructions say to connect the two green ground wires (the ceiling box ground and the ceiling fan motor ground) with an electric connecter. I understand that, however, I am not sure what to do with the copper ground wire out of my ceiling box. Can I curve the top and attach it to the ground screw on the fan mounting bracket? Do I connect it with the other two green ground wires and make it a party of three? The rest of the instructions are self explanatory but I want to make this install safe. Need to make sure I have done the right thing with the grounding wires. The fans are fine if I only want the fan motion, however, using this transmitter with the remote would also provide a light option.
Electrical – How to do with the extra grounding wire in the ceiling fan box
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Related Solutions
The switches for the fan are either in the lower bell housing or on top of the motor assembly.
Check the lower bell first. There should be 3 or 4 small screws holding this on, remove them and carefully remove the light assembly. Look inside the bell to find the RF receiver, the switches are on this (you may have to pull it out to access the switches).
If the RF receiver is not there it is probably on the motor assembly, in which case the fan will have to be taken down. Even if you have to take the fan down you should not have to disconnect any wiring, there should be a hook on the assembly so you can hang it from the mounting bracket while you adjust the switches.
Depending on the ceiling clearance you may have to remove the blades, then remove the decorative ring near the ceiling. Carefully remove the screws that hold the fan to the mounting bracket, you should be able to hang the fan from a hook on the mounting bracket (so you don't have to hold the fan while you work). Inside this assembly you should see the RF receiver, adjust the switches and re-mount the fan.
From what you've described, this is what I think you're wiring should look like. Keep in mind, this is just a guess. I can't see what's going on, and I'm an internet away, so I can't touch/measure/test anything.
The wiring diagram for the switch, can be found in the installation instructions.
If you provide images, and/or a better description of what wires and cables are in each box. I'll be able to provide a better guess, as to how this should be wired.
NOTE:
The diagram is based on your description, and is my best guess as to what your wiring looks like. If you're not sure what to do, or feel like this project is over your head. Do not hesitate to contact a local licensed Electrician.
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Best Answer
The bare copper wire and any green insulated wires are meant to be connected together, making it a "party of three" as you stated in your question. That said there is another consideration to take into account as well. These safety ground wires are also meant to be connected to a common ground point of the electrical box as well.
If one of these wires (green or bare copper) coming out of your box already attaches to a safety ground point in the box then you have no more to do than the "party of three" connections.
If neither of these two wires are connected to the electrical box safety ground then it will be necessary to add an additional pigtail green or bare copper wire to the box safety ground and join it with the other three making a "party of four" connection.