Wiring a Ceiling Fan with Other Lights and Outlets
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How can I connect a ceiling fan to my home wiring? Switch Box Wiring for a Ceiling Fan and Outlets, Ceiling Fan Circuit Wiring, Wiring a Ceiling Fan with a Shared Circuit. |
How to Wire a Ceiling Fan
Electrical Question #1: How can I connect a ceiling fan to my home wiring?
- How do I wire a wall switch box where there will be one tube light fixture, one ceiling fan, and one computer?
This electrical question came from: Matthew in Florida.
Electrical Question #2:
- Your second diagram for a ceiling fan when the power goes to the fan first is helpful, particularly the one with separate switches for the fan and the light. However, my circuit continues beyond the fan.
- In short, how would you connect the load side so it has continuous power even with the switch(es) off?
- There are power wires for the fan (black) and another for the light (blue), a neutral, and a ground on the fan unit. 12-2 line and for load.
This electrical wiring question came from Brevard in North Carolina.
Dave’s Reply:
Thank you for your electrical questions.
Wiring a Ceiling Fan with a Shared Circuit
Application: Electric Wiring Switches for a Ceiling Fan.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor or Certified Electrician.
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.
Switch Box Wiring for a Ceiling Fan and Outlets
- Ceiling Fans are Typically Wired on a Shared Circuit with Other Lights and Outlets.
- Due to the small amount of amperage a ceiling fan does not require a dedicated circuit.
- A shared circuit is one that branches out and has more than one device which shares the same electrical circuit.
- The basic connection is to splice the incoming circuit power source to the outgoing outlets and other devices that are shared on the same circuit.
- The incoming power source is connected to the switch which controls the ceiling fan.
- For a single circuit power source, typically the neutral wires and ground wires are also connected together using a wire connector sized for the number of wires that will be spliced together.
The Ceiling Fan Electrical Circuit
- The key to successfully wiring all of the devices is to understand the circuit limitations and the basic fundamentals of circuit wiring connections.
- Understanding the circuit wiring will ensure that the circuit integrity has not been compromised by using the right components and making the right connections.
- The following resources will assist you with wiring a ceiling fan.
More about Wiring a Ceiling Fan
Take the mystery out of ceiling fan wiring. Ceiling Fans are a great way to lower your energy bill and brighten up one of your favorite rooms.
How to Install Ceiling Fan Electrical Wiring
- Step-by-step pictures for ceiling fan installations.
- Easy wiring diagrams for ceiling fans.
- Ceiling Fan Light and fan switch variations.
Wiring a Light Switch – Diagram 1
Fully Explained Light Switch Wiring Diagrams. Detailed Electrical Wiring Diagrams and Pictures assist your Home Electrical Projects.
Home Electrical Junction Boxes
Junction Boxes for Wiring a Ceiling Fan
- Understanding electrical junction boxes and what they are used for.
- Home electrical wiring is the process of installing electrical wire to a location that will serve electrical devices or an appliance.
- One very important component is the box where the wire will be installed.
- The type and size of the home wiring electrical boxes will depend upon the circuit size, application and its location.
The following may also be helpful for you:
Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
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Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.
The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!The Non-Contact Electrical TesterThis 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 TesterThis 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 CutterMy 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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Hi P.L.,
The existing outlet and lighting circuit wiring may be intercepted at one of the wall switch or outlet junction boxes. Install the wiring up to the desired location for the new ceiling fan. Be sure to install an approved ceiling fan box that is rated for the weight of the ceiling fan.
Dave
I need to branch an additional outlet from a ceiling fan junction box over ceiling and down a wall to make an outlet for a TV. In the ceiling fan box I have a hot wire and two additional wires for the fan and the lights that are controlled from two separate toggle switches but from the same box. Going to the new outlet there is a white and black wire. I assume I hook the black wire to the hot but where do I connect the white wire? Do I just connect this to the ground? Thanks for your input.
Hi Mark,
If you would like the new outlet to be hot all the time and not controlled by a switch then the wires inside the ceiling fan box will need to identified to see if one is the source of power before the wiring leading to the switches. If the wiring is not positively identified then you risk having the new outlet controlled by one of the wall switches. Please take a look at the ceiling fan wiring diagrams which are provided with the resources in this article, I think you will find them to be very helpful.
I hope this helps,
Dave
P.S. I hope things are well with your practice, interesting to note that you have an overseas office or assistant. As you may know, connections to the business from this website are not a good idea anymore, for you or for me – so sorry – hope you understand.
I would like to wire an existing 12-2 switch to power two ceiling fans with a light. The switch would only provide power to the ceiling fans. The chains on the fan would be the primary control method. The overall run desired would be switch, power, ceiling fan, ceiling fan. How do I wire?
Hi David,
Wiring a Ceiling Fan and Switch
Installing the wiring for a ceiling fan and switch as you have described is basically the same as the wiring for a light fixture. A power source will need to be located and brought to the switch location, and then install the wiring from the switch up to the ceiling fans. The size of the cable will depend on the circuit size of the power source.
Ceiling Fan Wiring Diagrams
Please refer to the section of this website which provides you with wiring diagrams and photos of how ceiling fan wiring and the mounting box are installed.
I hope this helps,
Dave
Existing: Wall switch that powers two outlets. Top of the outlets are wired to the switch.
Situation: I would like to add a ceiling fan with a light kit to the room and use the existing switch to control the ceiling fan and light kit.
Is this possible?
Hi Pat,
Electrical wiring could be extended up from either of the two outlets to the location of ceiling fan.
Here are some options to consider when extending the circuit wiring from either of the two outlets:
Installing a 2-wire cable to the ceiling fan provides the switch to control both the ceiling fan motor and light together.
Installing a 3-wire cable to the ceiling fan allows the switch to control the ceiling fan light, but the fan motor could have continuous power and control exclusively from the pull chain switch.
There is one more option to consider:
A 2-wire cable may be extended from any available power source to the ceiling fan and install a ceiling fan remote control module which would provide for the light and fan motor to be controlled separately with full fan speed control and full dimming capabilities for the ceiling fan light.
As always, this project is best performed by a Licensed Electrician.
Enjoy your new ceiling fan,
Dave