How to Mount And Install A Ceiling Fan
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How to Mount And Install A Ceiling Fan
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Installing a ceiling Fan can make your home more comfortable year in both the winter and the summer. During the summer, the fan turns counterclockwise forcing air down and creating a cooling breeze that you can feel on your skin. During the winter, the fan turns in the opposite direction (clockwise) pushing the air up to the ceiling and down the walls. This move the warm air down where it is needed without generating a cooling breeze. Remember, Flow up during the winter and down during the summer. By changing the rotational direction of the fan every spring and fall, you will keep your home comfortable year around.
Most ceiling fans also have multiple speeds that are controlled by a switch on the fan housing. The switch should only be operated while the fan is off. For a standard installation on a level ceiling, it should be at least 1 foot from the ceiling and at least 2 feet from the wall. If the fan is installed on a vaulted ceiling, it may require a down rod to give the fan clearance from the ceiling. Most area also require that the fan blade be at least 7 feet above the floor for safely reasons. As a 6 foot 7 inch guy, have a operating fan only 5 inches above my head makes me nervous. .
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Using the existing Box.
Special care must be taken if you installing a ceiling fan in an existing ceiling junction box. If the box was originally designed for a light, it may not be attached well enough to the ceiling joist to safely support the weight and torque of a ceiling fan. The NEC prohibits hanging fans from mounting from the mounting tabs of a standard electrical box. Use a box that meets the NEC specification for ceiling fans. Make sure the box is screwed securely to a ceiling joist, a wood cross brace or metal hanger mounted between the joists. The box should have tapped holes that allow the mounting of 2 long screws for attaching the mounting bracket. The 2 holes that are used for mounting lights are on a wider spread. These holes are not rated for ceiling fan installations. .
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If you have access to the ceiling above the fan installation, then you can easily replace the box with an appropriate box and make sure that the mounting will support the load of the fan. If you cannot get access to the space above the fan, most hardware stores sell retrofit boxes with adjustable hanger. This will require removal of the old box. Then the adjustable hanger are installed through the 4 and ½ inch hole before the new box is installed into the opening. .
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If you do not have an existing junction box, then you must install new wiring or install the fan with a swag kit. A swag kit runs the power cable along a chain and down to a wall outlet. Swag kits may not be legal in your area. .
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Before you start your installation, make sure that the power is removed from the junction box. Older house may have some wiring that is not to code so always switch the power off at the breaker box or fuse box. If the ceiling box has more than one cable in it, it may be hot even if the switch is turned off. .
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With the box well anchored, connect the electrical wires. It is important to connect the green wire from the ceiling fan to the bare ground wire and also to the box (if it metal). This may require a short piece of wire to ground to the box and allow you to connect the 3 (2 green and 1 bare) wires with a wire nut. .
If there is only one cable in the box, then attach black wire to black wire and white wire to white wire. .
If there are 2 cables in the box, then attach the HOT black wire to the black wire of the switch. Then attach the 2 white wires (1 from the power source and 1 from the switch) to the black and white wires of the ceiling fan. Twist the wire together in a clockwise direction and then use appropriately size wire nuts for all connections. .
Final Installation.
With the wiring complete, install the mounting base to the junction box. With the canapy cover slide down over the down rod, install the hanger ball into the mounting base. Then install the final cover.
Most ceiling fans also have multiple speeds that are controlled by a switch on the fan housing. The switch should only be operated while the fan is off. For a standard installation on a level ceiling, it should be at least 1 foot from the ceiling and at least 2 feet from the wall. If the fan is installed on a vaulted ceiling, it may require a down rod to give the fan clearance from the ceiling. Most area also require that the fan blade be at least 7 feet above the floor for safely reasons. As a 6 foot 7 inch guy, have a operating fan only 5 inches above my head makes me nervous. .
Using the existing Box.
Special care must be taken if you installing a ceiling fan in an existing ceiling junction box. If the box was originally designed for a light, it may not be attached well enough to the ceiling joist to safely support the weight and torque of a ceiling fan. The NEC prohibits hanging fans from mounting from the mounting tabs of a standard electrical box. Use a box that meets the NEC specification for ceiling fans. Make sure the box is screwed securely to a ceiling joist, a wood cross brace or metal hanger mounted between the joists. The box should have tapped holes that allow the mounting of 2 long screws for attaching the mounting bracket. The 2 holes that are used for mounting lights are on a wider spread. These holes are not rated for ceiling fan installations. .
If you have access to the ceiling above the fan installation, then you can easily replace the box with an appropriate box and make sure that the mounting will support the load of the fan. If you cannot get access to the space above the fan, most hardware stores sell retrofit boxes with adjustable hanger. This will require removal of the old box. Then the adjustable hanger are installed through the 4 and ½ inch hole before the new box is installed into the opening. .
If you do not have an existing junction box, then you must install new wiring or install the fan with a swag kit. A swag kit runs the power cable along a chain and down to a wall outlet. Swag kits may not be legal in your area. .
Before you start your installation, make sure that the power is removed from the junction box. Older house may have some wiring that is not to code so always switch the power off at the breaker box or fuse box. If the ceiling box has more than one cable in it, it may be hot even if the switch is turned off. .
With the box well anchored, connect the electrical wires. It is important to connect the green wire from the ceiling fan to the bare ground wire and also to the box (if it metal). This may require a short piece of wire to ground to the box and allow you to connect the 3 (2 green and 1 bare) wires with a wire nut. .
If there is only one cable in the box, then attach black wire to black wire and white wire to white wire. .
If there are 2 cables in the box, then attach the HOT black wire to the black wire of the switch. Then attach the 2 white wires (1 from the power source and 1 from the switch) to the black and white wires of the ceiling fan. Twist the wire together in a clockwise direction and then use appropriately size wire nuts for all connections. .
Final Installation.
With the wiring complete, install the mounting base to the junction box. With the canapy cover slide down over the down rod, install the hanger ball into the mounting base. Then install the final cover.
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