Lighting, Light Fixtures, Ceiling and Exhaust Fans - installing ceiling fan
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mkarpd
04-21-05, 09:59 AM
I have a wall switch in my bedroom that controls an outlet,(it only controls 1/2 the outlet the bottom outlet is live) the wiring runs through the attic which I have access to. Is it possible to take that wire disconnect it from the wall outlet and use it for power to a ceiling fan that I plan on installing? Thanks
John Nelson
04-21-05, 10:57 AM
Certainly. This is an extremely common project. In most cases, it's probably best to leave the receptacle wiring alone and run a new cable from the ceiling to the receptacle box.
thinman
04-21-05, 11:03 AM
I have a wall switch in my bedroom that controls an outlet,(it only controls 1/2 the outlet the bottom outlet is live) the wiring runs through the attic which I have access to. Is it possible to take that wire disconnect it from the wall outlet and use it for power to a ceiling fan that I plan on installing? Thanks
Are you sure you've identified the correct cable in the attic?
If so, you should be able to add the ceiling fan to the switched receptacle circuit.
What is the amperage of the circuit breaker that feeds the current circuit?
Will the ceiling fan have its own switch or do you plan to connect it to the wall switch?
You'll need a couple of junction boxes, blank covers, wire nuts, romex cable and romex staples.
Turn off the circuit breaker. Verify the circuit is dead. Locate where the junctions boxes will be mounted and keep in mind you'll need at at least 8" of the existing cable in the junction box. Mount the boxes. Cut the cable and insert the existing romex into each of the boxes. Route a new piece of romex (leave at least 8" in each box) between the two junction boxes, and then route a new piece of romex from one of the junction boxes to where the ceiling fan outlet box will be installed. Strip off the insulation, leaving at 1/4", from the cables inside the boxes.
Make splices in the boxes. Black to Black. White to White. Ground to ground. And red to red (for a 4 wire cable).
This is based on the existing cable being 3 wire (black, white, bare or green insulation). If the existing cable feeding the receptacle is 4 wire (black, red, white, bare or green insulated), you'll need to run a 4 wire cable between the junction boxes. A 3 wire cable will still be used to the box for the ceiling fan.
Use the same gage wire that is used in the existing circuit.
Or you might try doing it the way John suggested! :D
Are you sure you've identified the correct cable in the attic?
If so, you should be able to add the ceiling fan to the switched receptacle circuit.
What is the amperage of the circuit breaker that feeds the current circuit?
Will the ceiling fan have its own switch or do you plan to connect it to the wall switch?
You'll need a couple of junction boxes, blank covers, wire nuts, romex cable and romex staples.
Turn off the circuit breaker. Verify the circuit is dead. Locate where the junctions boxes will be mounted and keep in mind you'll need at at least 8" of the existing cable in the junction box. Mount the boxes. Cut the cable and insert the existing romex into each of the boxes. Route a new piece of romex (leave at least 8" in each box) between the two junction boxes, and then route a new piece of romex from one of the junction boxes to where the ceiling fan outlet box will be installed. Strip off the insulation, leaving at 1/4", from the cables inside the boxes.
Make splices in the boxes. Black to Black. White to White. Ground to ground. And red to red (for a 4 wire cable).
This is based on the existing cable being 3 wire (black, white, bare or green insulation). If the existing cable feeding the receptacle is 4 wire (black, red, white, bare or green insulated), you'll need to run a 4 wire cable between the junction boxes. A 3 wire cable will still be used to the box for the ceiling fan.
Use the same gage wire that is used in the existing circuit.
Or you might try doing it the way John suggested! :D