Wiring a ceiling fan is surprisingly simple. Often times it
is no more complicated than the wiring of a light fixture. As with any
electrical wiring, when wiring a ceiling fan, make sure all wire connections are made securely with the
proper size wire nuts, that they are not loose and that no copper strands
are showing. Most "house wiring" should be 14 or 12 gauge solid copper wire
attached to a 15 or 20 amp 120vAC circuit respectively.
Consult a
professional if you encounter something varying from this and are not aware
of how to safely handle it.
Wiring Ceiling Fan
Most commonly ceiling fans will have 4 wires, or 3 wires plus a ground.
Black, white, green, and an additional color (usually red, blue, or
black/white striped). The black wire is the hot lead for the ceiling fan motor. The
red/blue/striped wire is the hot lead for the optional light kit to the
ceiling fan. The white
wire is the neutral lead for both the ceiling fan motor and light kit. The green
wire is ground for the entire assembly.
In all cases the neutral (white) wire from the ceiling fan assembly should be
attached to the neutral (usually white) lead from the house wiring. Note
that if you encounter a white wire when wiring the ceiling fan, that has a marking piece of colored tape
attached, this could be used to signify it is being used as something other
than a neutral.
The ground (green) wire or wires from the ceiling fan assembly should be attached to
the ground (usually bare, sometimes green) lead from the house wiring.
Some
older houses may not have a separate ground lead and use the metal conduit
and electrical boxes as ground. In this case you would attach the ground
wire from the ceiling fan to the electrical box (and/or mounting plate) with the
appropriate screw or clip.
Find a Qualified Residential Electrical Contractor in Your Area
Get Free Quotes. Easy, Quick and No
Obligations!
For the home improvement or home remodeling project that is
too big for you, check out our partner
NeedContractor. They are a national
resource for finding pre-screened, insured, and licensed home improvement and remodeling contractors in your local area.
Get Matched in 48 hours with Residential
Electrical
Contractors!
The two remaining leads associated with the ceiling fan, are the hot wires for the
ceiling fan and it's light kit. If
you have a ceiling fan with no light kit, connect the black wire to the hot lead
(usually black) from your power supply. For a ceiling fan with a light kit you would
connect both wires to the hot power supply lead, unless your house is wired
to switch the ceiling fan and light independently.
About the Author:
Mark Berger, Guelph, Ontario, Canada marky-mark21@rogers.com. Learn more about
Ceiling fans, ceiling fan installation.
I also post articles related to ceiling fans
either I or my editor have wrote. If you are into ceiling fans, have a ceiling
fan related issue, are looking for replacement ceiling fan parts or would like to buy a
ceiling fan,
please come check us out at. We also have a
forum for ceiling fan related issues.
How to Finance your Home Electrical Project -
can help provide funds for your new home improvement project if financing is
required.
Additional Home Electrical Wiring Resources
for Wiring Ceiling Fans
Electrical Wiring, Lighting and Ceiling Fans from Amazon.com
Electrical
Contractor Price Quotes For FREE,
No Obligation!
Fill out our 3-5 minute quick and easy form, and receive a free price quote
on residential electrical work from one of our prescreened and licensed
electrical contractors. This process is free and there is no obligation to
continue once you receive your electrical contractor price estimate.
