Remove the old ceiling fan and wire a new ceiling fan (2023)

1. Turn off the device

This is by far the most important step of this project. To be safe when working with power cords, turn off the ceiling fan.

Cycle the breaker and use a voltage tester to confirm the ceiling fan is not receiving power before proceeding. If you're still not sure, go to the switch box and flip the switch.

2. Remove the old fan

You'll need your screwdriver for this one and a friend to hold the fan while you work. It's an arm workout, so make sure your helper is ready to hold it while you quickly remove it.

The process will depend on your fan model, but you will most likely start by removing the lamp, the fan blades, and then the base.

Basically start by unscrewing parts of the light and fan until you get it all figured out. Just remember to take a picture of how the wires were connected. Are they red to red? black to black? Take a picture to help you transfer the same wire connections to the new fan.

3. Install the ceiling mount

Now it's time to install parts for the new fan. First is the roof support. Use the screws that came with the new fan and attach it to the holes in the electrical box.

Pass the ceiling wires through the center hole. In our case, that was a white wire and a yellow wire (plus the green one on the ceiling mount).

(Video) How to Remove Old Ceiling Fan & Install New One

4. Prepare the fan

The next step will depend on the make and model of your particular fan, so follow the instructions to assemble it correctly.

For ours, we installed the canopy and flush mount, making sure to route the cables all the way through. You may also need to grab your wire cutters and cut the wires a little shorter at this point.

5. Attach a new fan and cables

Attach the assembled fan base to the ceiling and hook it to the ceiling mount. Most newer fans have a feature that allows you to rest the fan on the stand so you don't have to support the weight when connecting cables.

Once the fan is secure, connect the wires. We had to consider three sets of wires: wires from the ceiling, wires from the fan, and wires from the receiver in the fan (which allows us to use a remote control).

First we connect the ground wires from the ceiling, the fan and the ceiling mount. Next, we connect the wires from the remote control: yellow to black, blue to blue. Finally we connect the neutral wires (white to white) and the live wires (black to yellow).

See section below for how to wire any ceiling fan

6. Insert the blades

It's time to make him look like a real fan! Take your fan blades and screw them into the hood, following the instructions for your specific model. We recommend placing a towel under the setup in case you lose screws.

7. Add switch housing

You will most likely attach the switch housing with screws. A cable connector runs from the top to the bottom switch housing. Make sure this connection is secure as it will turn on the fan.

8. Attach the cover plate and turn on the power.

At this point we are on the home stretch. Simply place the glass cover onto the housing assembly until it clicks into place. Now it's time to turn on the fan and test it to make sure your hard work paid off.

Removing the old fan left quite a bit of damage to the ceiling. A simple patch and coat of paint will keep your ceiling looking new and your updated fan to match yourshome decor.

Familiarize yourself with the colors of the wires

Ceiling fan wire colors may differ slightly from the wires in your home circuit. It's important to understand what each wire does and how it connects to the others. Always fit cable covers over unused cables.

How to connect any ceiling fan

Four-wire ceiling fan wiring is most common, but an additional colored wire may be included. Here is what each wire color represents:

Trusted:

  • The black wire is the hot wire going to the switch.
  • The white wire is neutral and completes the circuit.
  • The copper or green wire is the ground wire and prevents your fan from experiencing power surges.
  • If you have a blue and black wire coming from your home circuit, you should have two switches on the wall.
  • If there is a red wire coming from the ceiling, it is connected to the wall switch.

Ventilator:

  • The black wire is for the fan.
  • The blue wire is for the light if the light is included in the fan.
  • The white wire is neutral.
  • The green wire is for ground.
  • The red wire is sometimes included and acts as a conductor to power the light kit.

Before you begin, make sure that all electrical breakers associated with the wiring are turned off. If necessary, consult a professional electrician to ensure your fuse box and electrical switches are in compliance. Also, be sure to strip the ends of the wires to expose the copper end.

(Video) How to: Replace an Entire Ceiling Fan

Tip: Some manufacturers may use different color codes, so be sure to follow the instructions that came with your fan.

Wiring a fan or light without a switch

Typically used when there is no switch in the room where the fan/light will be located. This option allows you to draw power for the fan and/or light from a connection to a nearby power source.

This method means you would be relying on the pull chains that came with your fan to turn on the light and the fan. For rooms without switches, ceiling fan remote controls can make using a pull chain easier.

  • Connect the white wires (neutral wires) from your fan and ceiling together.
  • Connect the green wire to your house ground wire (copper/bare wire).
  • Connect the black wires together.
  • Lastly connect the blue wires together or blue wire to black wire for the lights. ForCeiling fans without lights, follow the same step. This allows you to add a lighting kit later without having to rewire the fan.
  • Place the cables back in the box.
  • Turn the fan back on and test it.

Single switch with switch for light and pull chain for fan

One of the most widely used methods that only requires a light switch.

In this scenario, we recommend wrapping electrical tape around the white wire to indicate that it is a live wire and not a neutral wire. In order for the light to be controlled by its own switch, the wiring between the switch and the fan unit requires a fourth wire, a red wire, to power the light kit.

  • Connect the green wire to your house ground wire (copper/bare wire).
  • Connect your white wires together and secure with a wire nut.
  • Connect the red wire from the ceiling to the black wire from the lighting kit and the black wire from the ceiling to the black wire from the fan.
  • Place the cables back in the box.
  • Turn the fan back on and test it.

Ceiling fan and light wiring with switch

This method allows you to turn on the fan and light from a single wall switch, eliminating the need to tug on the pull chain every time you want to adjust the fan.

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  • Connect the green/copper wires together.
  • Connect the white wires together.
  • Connect the black wires together.
  • Connect the lighting wire, usually blue, to the black wire from the fan and the black wire from the ceiling.
  • Place the cables back in the box.
  • Turn the fan back on and test it.

Ceiling fan and light wiring with separate switches

This method allows you to operate the fan and light output separately. Your power supply wire (the black wire) should power both switches, and those switches will power the fan (black) or light (blue).

To perform this method, the cable from your wall circuit to your light must have 3 wires.

  • Connect the black wire from the fan to the black wire from the ceiling.
  • Connect the blue wire to the red wire.
  • Connect the white wires together.
  • Connect the green/copper colored wires.

In the switch box:



  • Split the incoming hot wire into a "Y" and connect it to a terminal on each switch.
  • Connect the black wire to the screw on switch #1.
  • Connect the red wire to the screw on switch #2.
  • Connect the white wires together.
  • Connect the green/copper wires together.
  • Place all cables back in their boxes.
  • Turn on and test.

Wiring a ceiling fan to a remote control

Most newer fans come with ceiling fan remote controls for added ease of use and convenience. The receiver is placed in the fan housing and the controller is attached to the wall of your room. For a handheld remote:

  • Turn off the power.
  • Remote receivers have DIP switches or a set of buttons and three or four wires.
  • Insert the battery.
  • Once you have the fan mounted and in place, slide the ceiling fan remote receiver into the space above the bottom rail.
  • Connect the appropriate wires from the fan to the remote (white to white, black to black, blue to black, and green/copper to green/copper).
  • Turn on again and test.

Do you need tools and materials to install a ceiling fan? lighting artifacts. We install your ceiling fan for you.www.acdc-electric.com

(Video) How To Install A Fan Box

(Video) How to Remove an Old Ceiling Fan in Order to Install a New One : Ceiling Fan Projects

Videos

1. How to Replace a Ceiling Fan - DIY Step by Step Guide
(Remodel With Robert)
2. How to Install a Ceiling Fan | This Old House
(This Old House)
3. How to Remove the Old Ceiling Fan Base
(ExpertVillage Leaf Group)
4. Ceiling Fan Installation | Sunbury Electrician | Melton Electrician
(Sutton Security & Electrics)
5. How to Remove a Ceiling Fan - Direct Connect
(FIX IT Home Improvement Channel)
6. How to Replace a Ceiling Fan
(Lowe's Home Improvement)

References

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