ask the electrician
Electrician Training Electrical Certification wiring recessed light fixtures Electrical Wiring Electrical Troubleshooting and Electrical Repairs wire outdoor light fixture Home Electrical Wiring Diagrams
wiring home generator and transfer switch wiring a 220 volt range cord outlet Wiring for GFCI Outlets Wiring Outlets and a Switched Outlet Wiring and Installing Ceiling Fans and Remote Controls wire dimmer switch wiring diagrams for switches wiring a dryer cord and 220 outlet circuit breaker panel
Electrical Wire and Cable


Help with Ceiling Fan Wiring

How to Install and Make the Electrical Wiring Connections for Ceiling Fans and Switches


Home Electrical Wiring Video

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet
without a Ground Wire

Check out my YouTube Channel and Subscribe to my Videos
» AskTheElectrician «

NOTE: A List of All my Helpful Videos
Will Display at the End of This Video
So Keep Watching So I Can Help You Wire it Right!

How to Wire Ceiling Fans
[ad#block]Question: I am installing a Ceiling Fan. There are 4 wires coming out from ceiling but there are only 3 wires with the fan/light fixture. There are 2 different switches on the wall. one for the fan and the other for the light.
I do not know which wire goes with what.

This electrical question came from: Lisa, a Homeowner from Vandalia, Ohio.

Dave’s Reply:

Thanks for your electrical question Lisa.

How to Install and Wire Ceiling Fans

How to Install and Make the Electrical Wiring Connections for Ceiling Fans and Switches

  1. See the ceiling fan wiring and installation in home electrical wiring – part 2.
  2. The approved ceiling fan box is installed.
  3. The wires are connected.

How to Install Ceiling Fans and Wiring

  1. Step-by-step pictures.
  2. Easy wiring diagrams and installation guide.
  3. Light and fan switch variations.

Ceiling Fan Wiring Diagrams

How to Wire Ceiling Fans
ceiling-fan-installation
How to Install and Wire Ceiling Fans


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 Wiring Diagrams and Home Electrical Wiring:
« Previous Next »
Testing the Circuit for Your Kitchen Stove Electrical Circuit for a Wine Cooler


FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

4 Responses to “Help with Ceiling Fan Wiring”
  1. Ron Wood says:

    I’m installing a Hunter Ceiling Fan Fairhaven Model 22550. I Have 3 wires coming from ceiling, white, black and blue. There is no blue wire from the fan, but it does have a white, black and a black wire with white stripe from fan. The wires from ceiling connect to a receiver for a remote control, but there is no mention as to what to do with the blue wire from the ceiling. I know it is a hot wire as I put a tester to it and the light came on in the tester. Please advise what to do with this blue wire from ceiling.

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Ron,
    The blue wire in the ceiling is most likely controlled by a wall switch, therefore it would be used for the ceiling fan light when a remote control is not installed with the ceiling fan. A tester may be used to identify the blue wire and wall switch control for positive identification. With this installation, if a remote control will be used exclusively for the ceiling fan motor and light fixture then a wall switch is not necessary, and the blue wire in the ceiling may be capped off using a wire connector.
    I hope this helps you Ron, Thanks for sharing your project with us,
    Dave

  3. Ron Wood says:

    Yes Dave the receptacle the fan and light are connected to is controlled by a wall switch. When that switch is off there is no power to the fan and light. I have the blue wire connected to the white wires from the ceiling and receiver and when I turn on the wall switch it kicks off the breaker. I thought maybe the blue wire should be connected with the black wires from the ceiling and Receiver. If I cap off the blue wire don’t think there will be power to fan. any suggestions? Thanks, Ron

  4. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Ron,
    The black and white wires of the remote control module power source should be wired to the black and white wires of the ceiling fan, color to color, and the blue wire should be capped off using a wire nut. This wiring configuration will bypass the wall switch, which would prevent the remote module from not working if the wall switch was in the off position. If you would like to have the wall switch control the remote module then the blue wire would connect to the black wire of the control module and the black wire would be capped off. Please see the wiring diagrams as provided in the Ceiling Fan section of the website as described in this article.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave