Installing a ceiling fan is an easy do-it-yourself project.
Installing a ceiling fan is a fairly easy home improvement project that offers an excellent opportunity to improve your electrical wiring and construction skills. Ceiling fans can dramatically change the decor of a room, and can help keep down heating and cooling costs.
Instructions
1. Turn off the electricity to the circuit you are working with.
2. Locate the wall receptacle at the end of the circuit run by finding the outlet that has only one set of wires attached to its terminals. You will use the empty terminals on this outlet to add the fan wiring.
3. Cut the holes for the fan, switch and wiring. At the fan's location, cut a circular hole large enough to slip the brace bar through and to attach it to the joists. Use the switch box as a template for the wall switch. Above the switch and the receptacle where the wall and ceiling meet cut a 1 by 2-inch hole to run the cables through. Save the drywall pieces to replace them later.
4. Attach the fixture junction box to the brace bar according to the manufacturer's instructions. Slip the brace bar through the hole and attach it to the ceiling joists with the wood screws. Because the bar expands, the hole need not be centered between joists.
5. Install the switch box. This box can be attached directly to the drywall using screws.
6. Remove the power supply receptacle from its box by loosening the screws holding it to the box and pulling it out.
7. Run the cable to the fan from the switch and the receptacle. Thread the fish tape through the small holes near the ceiling and across the ceiling to the junction box. Attach the NM cable to the fish tape and pull it back toward you. Drop it down behind the wall to the switch and receptacle.
8. Make the connections at the switch and receptacle using a screwdriver. At each location attach the white wire to the silver screw terminal and the black wire to the brass screw terminal. At the switch attach the green or bare wire to the green ground terminal. At the switch wrap a piece of electrical tape around the white wire to indicate that it is carrying current.
9. Make the connections at the fan. Using plastic twist-type electrical connectors, attach the white wire from the switch to the black wire on the fan. Wrap electrical tape around the white wire as you did before. Connect the black wires from the switch and outlet together using a plastic connector. Attach the receptacle's white wire to the fan's white wire. Attach the green wires to the ground terminal on the junction box using a screwdriver.
10. Attach the fan to the junction box according to the manufacturer's instructions. Patch the access holes with the drywall repair kit. Restore power to the circuit.
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