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CEILING FAN INSTALLATION

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This page covers the installation of a standard ceiling fan to an existing ceiling lighting outlet box. Other types of ceiling fan installations can be discussed through e-mail.

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CEILING FAN INSTALLATION -
To install a new ceiling fan to an existing lighting outlet box, we recommend that you purchase the fan first, and have it ready for installation when you're ready to remove the old lighting fixture.

STEP 1. Be sure the power is turned off to that circuit (or shut all power off).
STEP 2. To begin removing the existing lighting fixture, remove any glass and light bulbs first. Then look for the mounting screws (normally 2 screws are used to attach it to the wall or ceiling), remove them and let the fixture hang softly from the wires.
STEP 3. Take notice to the two wiring connections. The fixture wires (flexible, stranded) to the outlet box wires (harder, solid); these same wires will be used for the new ceiling fan (other wires in the outlet box do not matter and should be left alone), remove the wire connectors (wire nuts) and the ground wire (if it exists) and you're ready for the new ceiling fan.
NOTE - If the existing wires have insulation cover that is crumbling apart an electrician should be brought in to complete this job!
STEP 4. Remove all the new ceiling fan's contents out of the box. Organize the parts & screws on the floor. Have the instructions open and ready, do not attach blades, bulb(s) or glass until completion.
STEP 5. Remove the old mounting hardware. Your concern now is having a properly supported ceiling outlet box (NEC code requires a special type of outlet box for this purpose). Our method of checking support is to know if the outlet box is attached to the wood beams, and then test it's strength with our weight.
NOTE - If the existing ceiling outlet box is not properly attached to the wood beams an electrician should be brought in to complete this job!
Install the new mounting hardware as per the printed instructions in the box. Our method is have a second means of support (we call it "making the fan tremor proof") Using an independent means of support must be thought up by you (we usually use a double 12 gauge support wire from the new mounting hardware to a heavy screw we install to the beam).
STEP 6. Wiring connections are the most important concern now. Wires must be stripped (on both sets) about 1/2" to 3/4" long. When the wires are joined together (to make the connections) the insulation cover of the wires should match up and the copper ends of the wires should match up. Use only spring insert type wire nuts (look for the metal springs inside) and turn clockwise on the wires as many turns as it takes to "tighten up". If it does not tighten up you must separate the wires and start again (sometimes the stranded wire separates from the end of the solid wire inside the wire nut and wraps around loosely). The copper of the wires should only be visible inside the wire nut when you are done and should not be able to pull apart easily. Attach the ground wire securely to the outlet box and mounting hardware. A separate wire for a light fixture is usually included with the other fan wires. You should connect it along with the black wire if a separate "light fixture wire" is not present in the existing ceiling outlet box.
STEP 7. Install the fan motor and hardware as per the printed instructions in the box. Make sure no wires are crushed between the fan and the ceiling surface. Turn the power on now to test out the fan motor before you install the blades (check the speed & reverse switches also).
STEP 8. Install the blades, light fixture (if any), light bulbs (take notice to the wattage limit, it should be labeled) and any glass as per the fixture instructions. If the fan wobbles (this is common with about 25% of the fans we have installed over the years) look for the printed directions in the box to balance out the fan blades or visit our page 4C. CEILING FAN WOBBLES.