Install Ceiling Fan Box in a Blind Hole
Air circulation in a room can dramatically reduce energy costs in both winter and summer. An effective way to achieve this air movement is to install a ceiling fan. The fan must be mounted with the proper support to ensure that the fan will not loosen or wobble and will work efficiently for you. A ceiling fan brace can be installed from the attic, if it is accessible. If not, or if you would prefer not to crawl into the attic, your local home improvement store will have an expandable brace which can be installed from the room.
Instructions
Remove Existing Light Fixture and Box
1. Turn off the electrical power to the fixture. This can be done at the circuit breaker box or fuse box. Make sure there is no power to the light fixture by turning the light switch on and off. If the light does not turn on, the power to the circuit is off.
2. Make sure the ladder is secure, climb it, and remove the screws holding the fixture base to the ceiling. Pull the base away from the fixture box.
3. Hold the light fixture in one hand. With the other hand, twist the wire nut connecting the black wires counterclockwise and remove the nut. Making sure not to come in contact with two wires simultaneously, remove the wire nuts from the white wires and the green or bare wires in the same manner. It may be helpful to have an assistant hold the light fixture when removing the wire nuts. Place the old light fixture aside.
4. Test the circuit using the electrical circuit tester to ensure that the power is off. Touch one probe from the tester to the bare black wire and one to the white. The indicator should show that no voltage is present.
5. Wear your safety goggles and dust mask for this step. Using the screwdriver, loosen the screw clamp connector which holds the wire bundle secure. Push all of the wires through the electrical box so they are not visible. Pry the old box off the ceiling joist using the hammer and pry bar.
Install the New Ceiling Fan Box and Bracket
6. Insert the bracket into the existing hole in the ceiling. The feet of the bracket will rest on the drywall or plaster.
7. Twist the expansion bar counterclockwise until the ends of the bracket are pressing against both joists. Tighten with the adjustable wrench until it is snug. Over-tightening may cause the joists to separate, damaging the ceiling. The cleats on the end of the bracket will secure the bracket to the joists.
8. Remove a knockout hole from the electrical box supplied with the fan bracket kit. Use the hammer and the pry bar to pound the knockout hole outward from the inside of the box. If necessary, grab the knockout with the pliers and bend it back and forth until it is removed.
9. Place the U-shaped bracket provided over the expansion bar. Install the new screw clamp connector on the knockout hole. Pull the wires through the screw clamp connector and attach the electrical box to the U-clamp using the bolts provided.
10. Pull the wires through the screw clamp as far as possible and tighten the screw clamp using the screwdriver. The clamp should be tight enough so that the wires do not easily move back and forth through the knockout opening. Install your ceiling fan per the instructions provided.
Tags: screw clamp, clamp connector, Install Ceiling, knockout hole, light fixture