Installing a Ceiling Fan Without a Ground Wire

Should You Install a Ceiling Fan Without a Ground Wire

Electrical Question: We are installing a ceiling fan ourselves and have found that our chandelier we are replacing has no ground wire. We are reluctant to put in the fan now. What should we do?

This electrical wiring question came from Carla.

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

How to Provide the Ground Wire Safety Feature for Ceiling Fans

• The ground wire system of the home serves as a safe path to the earth ground in the event of an electrical malfunction where voltage is released outside of the safely insulated energized areas of  any electrical device.
• In the event where electricity makes a connection to the  grounded system of the home, an over current protection device, when properly sized and installed,  will interrupt the flow of electricity to the affected circuit.
• The most common over current devices installed for the home electrical system are circuit breakers or fuses. The installation of the ceiling fan without the ground wire will not affect the performance of the ceiling fan, however this safety system that is provided through the ground system will not be available.
• Depending on the age of the home, and if the home is older, then it may be that many other circuits do not have a ground wire as well. This can only be determined by examining the electrical system of the home, which is best performed by a professional licensed home inspector or electrician.
• A ground system may be added to the home to add this measure of safety, or the electrical wiring may be upgraded and brought up to current standards and code requirements which is always my recommendation for a safer home electrical system.

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Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

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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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