How to Wire a Ceiling Fan
Ceiling fans are functional and decorative household fixtures that are found in most homes nowadays. They can be used to create a cool breeze in a room during the hot summer months or gently draw heated air away from the ceiling during winter. Light fixtures can also be added to increase the usefulness of ceiling fans.
Installing a ceiling fan to a pre-existing wiring from a lighting fixture is not as intimidating as it seems. All it requires are basic wiring know-how and mechanical skills. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to wire and install a ceiling fan.
Required Materials
- ceiling fan kit
- outlet box
- mounting brackets
- wire nuts
- philips and slotted screwdriver
- electrical tape
- wire cutters
- electrical tester
- adjustable wrench
- pliers
Steps to Wire a Ceiling Fan
- Choosing the Right Size
- A 36-inch diameter ceiling fan should be used in a room whose largest dimension is 12 feet or less.
- A 42-inch diameter ceiling fan is ideal for a room whose largest dimension is 12 to 15 feet.
- Use a 52-inch diameter ceiling fan in a room whose largest dimension is 15 to 18 feet.
- Read all of the manufacturer�s instructions packed with the ceiling fan.
- Make sure to turn off the power when working with electricity. Lock the panel box to make sure that no one will accidentally turn the power on while you work.
- Install the Mounting Bracket
- Take out the fan motor screws.
- Take out the mounting bracket from the fan canopy.
- Affix the mounting bracket to the ceiling electrical box. Use mounting screws and lock washers. Install the J-hook with the mounting bracket if it comes with it.
- Draw the wires through the central hole.
- Close Mount Installation
- Take out the screws and washers from the top of the motor housing.
- Attach the canopy to the housing with the same screws.
- Hang the fan on the J-hook with one of the holes on top of the canopy.
- Install the wire connections. Make sure to tuck the wires to the outlet box.
- Take the canopy off the J-hook and permanently attach it to the mounting plate.
- Make the Wire Connections
- A ceiling fan uses:a) A neutral wire (white)
b) A hot wire for the fan (black)
c) A hot wire for the light kits (blue) - When using a single switch to wire the light and the fan,a) The black and blue wires should be both connected to the switch black wire.
b) Turning the switch on will power the light and the fan.
c) The pull strings will be used to turn either the fan or the light off. - When using two separate switches for the light and the fan,a) Connect the black wire to the switch black wire from the ceiling fan switch.
b) Connect the blue wire to the switch red wire from the light switch.
c) The white and ground (bare) wires should be connected to their related wires. - If using a single light switch to wire the fan and the light,
a) Connect the black wire to the switch�s hot black wire.
b) Connect the blue wire with the light switch�s red wire.
c) Connect the white and ground (bare) wires with their related wires.
d) The light will be controlled with the light switch and the fan will be controlled by the pull strings.
- A ceiling fan uses:a) A neutral wire (white)
- Attach the Fan Blades
- Set each blade bracket to a fan blade. Secure them with the screws and washers supplied.
- Do the same to attach blade-bracket assembly to the fan.
- Install the Light Kit
- Take off the switch housing cover plate.
- Take out the plug from the cover plate�s center.
- Insert the light kit wires through the holes in the cover plate. Tightly screw the plate to the light kit.
- Locate the white and blue wires in the switch housing and connect to the light kit wires. White should connect with white, and blue should connect with black. Secure with wire nuts and electrical tape.
- Push wires back into switch housing. Connect the light kit to the switch housing.
This type of mount sets the fan closer to the ceiling.
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