Monday, September 13, 2010

Ceiling Fan Light Kit Troubleshooting

A malfunctioning ceiling fan and light can be aggravating, but do not junk the fan that quickly Many houses don't have proper wires, or the kit you bought may not be wired the same way as the house. The big thing to remember when working with a fan and light is to work fast and think faster.


Plan Ahead


Think about what you will need before starting the process. Make sure to have all of your basic tools (pliers, snips, screwdriver, electrical tape) on hand as well as a ladder, safety glasses and a flashlight. This will save trips for yourself. Work during the day so that you have plenty of natural light to work with. Turn off the power to the room you are working in.


Pay Attention


Most of the time, you will be replacing an existing light or fan, so pay attention to how it is wired. For example, if the previous person grounded the green wire from the fan to a bolt as opposed to a green wire from the house then think about doing the same with a new fan. They likely did it for a reason. This reference to the previous wiring makes putting up a new system easier and helps avoid problems down the road.


Wiring Problems


A common problem many people find is that the light still does not work after completing the wiring process. The first thing to check is the wiring connections. Most times, the wires came undone and therefore are not working. Try wrapping the wire cap with electrical tape to keep it together.








The Light That Doesn't Function


Many times people will get the fan to rotate, but the light does not come on. First, check to make sure the lights bulbs are screwed in properly and are functioning. If that does not work, check the amperage (electrical current), because there may not be enough power on the room's breaker. An amperage detector can be purchased at most hardware stores and plugs into a wall socket. If the reading shows that the room doesn't have enough power, call your local power provider or an electrician to redo the breaker.


Continued Blown Lights


If it seems that the light bulbs keep burning out, then there is likely too much amperage going to the unit. This is also a job for the local power company or a professional electrician.

Tags: does work, electrical tape, enough power, green wire, green wire from, light work