Installing a Ceiling Fan
Your current overhead light fixtures can be converted to a ceiling fan fairly simply. Installing a ceiling fan does not require advanced knowledge of electrical wiring. It is possible for most people to install a ceiling fan on their own without calling in an electrician or other expert. Once you have installed the ceiling fan, you will have improved the aesthetics of the room as well as the ventilation.
Requirement:
- Ceiling Fan
- Mounting brackets
- Screwdrivers
- Ladder
- Extra person to provide support and assistance when required
- Turn off the electricity to the room you will be installing the ceiling fan. Because you will be working without electricity in this room, it is advisable to do this job during the day.
- Remove any fixture cover and light bulbs. Be careful not to damage the current fixture if there is any possibility you may want to reinstall it later, for example if you are renting or there is a possibility you may move house at some point and will want to take the ceiling fan with you.
- Remove all screws and bolts from the current light fixture. Place them in a secure location, such as a box that you can store the item in. If you will be disposing of it, putting it into a box will allow you to dispose of it safely.
- Detach the electrical wires. Usually you will find two wires. These will be a black or blue power wire and a white neutral wire. Occasionally, there may be three wires. These will be a black wire, a white wire and a ground wire, which is usually green or possibly copper wire.
- Set the plastic wire caps that are holding the wires together some place safe, but accessible, so you can use them again when installing the fan. If you discover there are no plastic caps on the wires, be sure to use the caps that are provided in the kit, or if necessary, purchase some. The use of caps is the safest option.
- Verify the electrical box is secured firmly to a roof beam or some other ceiling support to hold the heavy fan firmly.
- Fasten the ceiling fan mounting bracket to the exposed electrical box. Tighten the screws firmly to prevent them from vibrating loose. This can cause an annoying wobble and potentially allow the fan to fall.
- Utilize the "working hook" provided to hang the fan from while you connect the wiring.
- Attach the white wires the following way: white > white, black > black or blue > blue, and green or bare copper. Typically, the ground wire is attached straight to the junction box. Loosen the screw so you can wrap the ground wire around it.
- Tighten the screw once again so it will firmly hold the ground wires in place.
- Screw the plastic caps onto the power black and white power connections.
- Push all the wiring back up into the electrical box.
- Fasten the fan motor to the mounting bracket with the screws that came with the ceiling fan kit.
- Set the pull cord and the wall switch to the "on" positions and turn the power to the room on to make sure the fan is wired properly. By having the wall switch and power cord switched on, you will know if there is a problem when you turn the power to the room on again.
- Turn the power off once again, so you can put the decorative cover on the motor before you attach the fan blades.
- Attach the fan blades. This is where the extra person will likely come in handy, as this is an awkward job.
- Turn the power on once again to make sure the fan is attached securely. Make sure the fan does not shake or make unpleasant noise. If it does make noise and shake, this is an indication the unit is not balanced. You can try gently adjusting the fan so it hangs level. If you have bought a large fan, or a more costly one, it will likely have some small balancing weights in the kit that are used to help balance the fan.