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Question – Ceiling Fan Replacement

What are the right wiring connections for my ceiling fan?


Home Electrical Wiring Video

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet
without a Ground Wire

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I’m installing a ceiling fan with lights. The problem I have is that there are two cables coming from the ceiling. Each cable has a black and white wire coming out. I tried every way I can and it does not work…Please, how can I make the connections. The fan that was on it before I took it down was working fine. I think I crossed the wires or something. It has a switch on the wall to shut it off and on. Please help..or my old lady will send me to sleep with the dogs.

[ad#block]It all depends on where the power enters the circuit. It’s either going to be at the switch box or up at the ceiling box.
If you originally had 2 switches – one for the fan and one for the light then it sounds like the power is at the switch box. In this case the white wires in the ceiling box go together and connect to the white of the ceiling fan/light, and one of the black wires to the fan, the other to the light.
If you had only 1 switch – then the power is most likely up in the ceiling box. You will need to identify which pair is the power by either using a tester or connect the white and black from the ceiling fan to one of the pairs white and black – color to color.
When you identify the pair with the power, here’s how to wire it: The white stays with the ceiling fan neutral. The black power goes to the other pair of white which goes to the wall switch and the only wire left is the black coming back from the switch.
I show this scenario in Diagram #2 at the website on this page


The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.


Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


More articles about Light Kit Wiring Questions and Home Electrical Wiring:
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Question – Ceiling Fan Installation and Dimmer Switches Question – Troubleshooting a Ceiling Fan Light Fixture