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Electrical Wire and Cable


How to Wire a Ceiling Fan to the Ceiling Box


How are the wires connected from the ceiling fan to the ceiling box? Ceiling Fan Wiring diagrams, What to do When Your Ceiling Fan Project Has a Problem.



Home Electrical Wiring Video

Hooking Up a Generator to the House Panel
Using a Circuit Breaker Interlock Kit
for Backup Power

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Wiring a Ceiling Fan
Electrical Question: How are the wires connected from the ceiling fan to the ceiling box?

Thank you.
Jeff

This electrical wiring question came from: Jeff, a Homeowner from Charleston, West Virginia.

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

Wiring a Ceiling Fan to a Ceiling Box

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.

Connecting a Ceiling Fan to a Ceiling Box

See more about Wiring a Ceiling Fan

Ceiling Fan Wiring Diagram

Ceiling Fan Wiring Diagram
How to Install Ceiling Fans and Wiring

Step-by-step pictures – Easy wiring diagrams and installation guide – Light and fan switch variations.
Wiring a Ceiling Fan Wiring
ceiling-fan-installation


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

2 Responses to “How to Wire a Ceiling Fan to the Ceiling Box”
  1. Robert Fishkin says:

    I am installing a Hampton Bays ceiling fan as a replacement for an older model. Can I wire without attaching the green ground wire? My house wiring is more than 75 years so there is no ground from the ceiling box to connect to. The fan I removed did not have the green ground connected. It was attached to the fan on one end and the other was loose wire. The ground comes attached to the mounting bracket on the new model. What, if anything, do I attach the other end to?

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Robert,
    When a ground wire is not included with the original circuit wiring of the home then the ceiling fan will not have the safety protection that the ground system will provide. Therefore this may be a great time to consider upgrading the electrical wiring, or have a ground wire installed from the ceiling fan location to the ground system of the electrical panel.
    Thanks for sharing your ceiling fan question with us,
    Dave