Electrical rough-in on our new home is almost done, and I'm wondering if I should have done something different for ceiling fans with light kits.
Power for all ceiling fans goes to a wall switch box first, i.e., ...
Line in -> junction box for fan control -> ceiling fan box.
12/3 + ground Romex between wall control junction box and ceiling fan box. The wall control junction boxes are all two-gang. Each junction box location has to control three devices in the room in which it is located... a ceiling fan (on/off/speed), the ceiling fan lights (on/off/level), and a "string" of recessed lights (on/off/level). That's easy to do if I don't care about HE controlling the ceiling fan and it's light kit.
The goal is to have all three devices controllable by physical switches and HE. My preference is z-wave, but zigbee and wifi are acceptable.
No idea what fans will be used, but must be multi-speed (e.g., three speed) or variable speed. My preference is a "non-smart" fan. Would also rather stay away from fans that have their own remote controls.
Due to framing requirements, the wall junction box in the primary bedroom cannot be expanded to three-gang.
I'm fine with having a "smart dual dimmer switch" (if there is such a thing) to control the recessed lights and fan light kit, and a separate smart fan control for the fan. In other words, the same device doesn't have to control the fan and the fan light kit.
Can the 12/3 romex from the switch box to the fan box handle this scenario? Should I instead run two 12/2's? Any other suggestions?
Thanks,
Ira