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Electrical Wire and Cable


Connecting the Red Wire of a Ceiling Fan


How to Connect the Red Wire to a Ceiling Fan: Easy wiring diagrams and Ceiling Fan installation guide.



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How to Connect the Red Wire to a Ceiling Fan
Electrical Question: Where do I connect the red wire of the ceiling fan?

This electrical question came from: Samuel, a Handyman from Sacramento, California.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Samuel.

Connecting the Red Wire to the Ceiling Fan

Application: Ceiling Fan Electrical Wiring.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced, Best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools, a non-aluminum ladder and Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools and access to the switched outlet wiring and the proposed location for the ceiling fan.
Precaution: Identify the switched outlet circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Notice: Installing additional electrical wiring for a ceiling fan should be done according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and be inspected.

Ceiling Fan Red Wire Connection

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Guide to Home Electrical Wire
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Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.

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The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

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
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.


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FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

3 Responses to “Connecting the Red Wire of a Ceiling Fan”
  1. Ibrahim says:

    I have a Hanabishi Orbit Fan, but my problem is when I was trying to clean it, I have removed the Wires inside the fan where the White, Yellow, Red,Green and black wires are present, I do not know where to put it because i forgot where i had removed them. PLS help me.

  2. Kirk says:

    I am replacing a ceiling fan. The old fan had three wires (white, black and blue). The new fan only has two wires (black & white). Can I connect the black wire from the fan to the black and red from the ceiling junction box? The fan is controlled by a single wall switch which has two black wires and the ground wire connected. Thanks for your help. Kirk

  3. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Kirk – Great Question.
    When there is a separate red and black wire in the ceiling fan box this usually means that one of the wires is controlled by a wall switch. Typically a ceiling fan is wired so the fan motor has power all the time by the black wire, and the light of the ceiling fan is controlled by the wall switch through the red wire. This may not represent exactly your wiring scenario, and that can only be full understood using a voltage tester. Once the switch controlled wire is identified then you can decide how you want the ceiling fan and light controlled. So your options will then be to connect the ceiling fan blue and black wires to the switch wire for total wall switch control or connect the ceiling fan motor separately to the unswitched power source.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave