Wire strippers
A chain for a ceiling fan can be a decorative feature that enhances the look of a room, especially if the chain accessory is ornamental. Instead of a wall switch controlling the ceiling fan, you can add a chain switch that will turn the ceiling fan on and off. The chain is attached to a switch that will connect and disconnect electricity to the fan.
Instructions
1. Locate the circuit breaker for the ceiling fan and turn it off. You can make sure you have the right circuit breaker by turning on the ceiling fan first. Turn off circuit breakers until you find the one that cuts the fan off.
2. Unscrew the ceiling fan's housing from the ceiling mounting plate using a screwdriver. You can stand on a stepladder for better access to the screws.
3. Drill a hole through the side of the ceiling fan housing. Make sure the hole is the same size as the chain switch's body. Insert the chain switch's body through the hole. Tighten the nut to secure the switch body to the housing of the ceiling fan.
4. Cut the black wire that goes to the fan motor using diagonal cutters. Use wire strippers to strip a short length of insulation from each end of the cut wire.
5. Attach each end of the cut black wire to the two chain switch terminals with a soldering iron. Touch the hot tip of the soldering iron to a terminal. The terminal should get hot within a few seconds. Push a short piece of solder onto the hot terminal so that it melts onto the terminal. Remove the soldering-iron tip from the terminal. The chain switch is now connecting and disconnecting the electricity through the black wire, controlling the fan by turning it off and on with pulls on the chain.
6. Return the ceiling fan's housing to the ceiling mounting plate and screw in the mounting screws.
7. Turn on the circuit breaker. The ceiling fan will turn on and off now with chain pulls as long as the wall switch in turned on.
Tags: chain switch, black wire, ceiling housing, circuit breaker, switch body, breaker ceiling