How to Connect the Wires of a Ceiling Fan

Wiring a Ceiling Fan
Electrical Question: I bought a new ceiling fan and can not figure out the wiring. How do I wire it?

My ceiling fan and light quit all of a sudden. I looked at wiring and couldn’t see anything wrong. I guessed the fan was bad so I bought a new one and took the old one down. Went to install the new one but could not figure out the wiring.

• Coming out of the ceiling box I had 1 black wire, 1 bare ground wire. I had 2 white wires connected.
• Finally I had 2 black and 1 white wire all connected.
• The 2 black and white had a strip of tape wrapped around the ends with something written on the strips.
• I am guessing these had something to do with the wall switch that turned everything on.
• In my installation instructions for the fan it says to connect the black and black n white striped wires to the black from the ceiling.
• Then it says to connect the bare ground wire from the ceiling to the green fan wire.
• Next it says to connect the white wire from the fan to the white wire in the ceiling.
• This is the problem which white wire?
• Do I separate the 2 white wires that are already wire nutted or what?

This electrical wiring question came from Dan.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Dan.

Connecting the Wires for a Ceiling Fan

Wiring connections for a ceiling fan may seem overwhelming when wiring to a wall switch for the fan motor and the light fixture, but this should help you out.

• White wires found in the ceiling junction box are sometimes used for switching when a wall switch is used. Typically these white wires are identified with black tape or a black marker.
• The extra white wires are best identified using a voltage tester, and it would be helpful to examine the wires that are attached to the wall switch and compare this to the wires found in the ceiling junction box.
• If the ceiling fan has two white wires and the ceiling junction box wiring only has one white wire then typically the two white wires of the ceiling fan connect to the single white wire found in the ceiling junction box.

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» 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. Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handywomen, 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.

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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Home Electrical Wiring and Electrical Repairs Please Note: Unless otherwise posted, please refer to the following Guidelines when working on Electrical Projects: Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced - Electrical Repairs and Circuit Wiring is Best Performed by a Certified Electrician or Licensed Electrical Contractor. Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, a Voltage Tester and a Multi Meter. Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, work with electrical wiring, and the available access to the project area. Precaution: Identify the project circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring. Important: Modifying existing electrical circuits or installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and National Electrical Codes, with a permit and be inspected.

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