I am interested to add a ceiling fan to a room with attic access to the ceiling, but there is no elctric/light fixture in ceiling of room.

Can I tap off outlet in room?
If so, what gauge wire? House built in 2002.

I presume I drop electric line down from attic space through dry wall?

Any help would be appreciated, or refer me to a good reference site... thanks

You can run wires from closest receptacle, Smoke Detector?
If you can get to switch location, or new switch in "cut in box", It can be controlled by a switch.
If no place for switch, and you can get power to fan location, you can get a remote unit to control light and fan.

You can run from wall receptacle, but you need to know what the overcurrent rating of the circuit you are using to size your wire. Find the breaker or fuse for the outlet your using and see what the rating is. Use #14 wire for a 15 amp circuit and #12 wire for a 20 amp circuit. Also use a 15 or 20 amp rated switch accordingly.

Be sure to use a fan brace in the ceiling and securely attach to ceiling joists in the attic. They are at Lowe's, etc. Have fun, You shouldn't have any problem.

Another option for you.

If you have a switched outlet in that room, and if you don't have a ceiling light you probably do, you can reconfigure the wires from the outlet to the switch. Then drop cable from attic to switch for fan. Even add a switch for light if you enlarge switch box.

The above two posts are good advice.

Slc258- HERE is something that will help also. Go to Lowe's< HOME DEPOT < ELECTRICAL SUPPLY ECT> Tell them you want a elect gang box, ( CALLED A REMODLE BOX ) for wall switch or receptical, and you can get one for the celing also. Its sort of octgon shape, When you cut out for these boxes mark around the box and then cut out for the box NOTE ON TOP AND BOTTOM OF BOX YOU WILL HAVE TO MAKE A SMALL CUT ON TWO CORNERS IN ORDER TO GET BOX PUT IN WALL < now drill a hole in top plate down into the wall where you want the wire to come down inside of wall, I always used a 5/8 wood bit, be for you put new box into wall get wires down to where you can get ahold of them , put wires through the holes you have to punch out in box ,now set box inside of wall and use a # 2 phillips screw driver and tighten the phillips head screws to where they are tight( NOT TO TIGHT WHERE YOU STRIP THEM OUT ) now install the switch or receptrical. The ceilling box will install the same way, you will need to get
a bar to use as a fan hanger or cut a piece of 2x4 or 2x6 , to use as a good ancor for the fan.:: OH TURN OFF POWER < Before DOING THE ELECT. You may get your hair curreled and not even go to the beauty polar. Ha HA.;; YOU can get your 110 from up in the atticby finding a 110 circuit to use, you will need a metal gang box with a lid cover. Romax connectors, yellow wire nuts black tape 2 or 3 sheetrock screws 1 1/2 " , to anchor metal box down to a ceiling joust to, you will need to set the box as close as you can to a 12/ 2 W GROUND it should be yellow colored wire Before cutting wire :: MAKE SURE YOU Have SOME SLACK IN IT AND MAKE SURE POWER IS OFF TO THAT CIRCUIT . YOPU NCAN GET THE REMODLE BOXES EVEN IN DOUBLE AND TRIPLE . Good luck GOD BLESS ::: :::::::F.B.E.

Thanks everyone

Some great advice for such a question but I would have thought people would recommend getting an electrician out to do the job because of playing with the mains electricals?

Anyway... I would like to install one of these ceiling fans (http://www.electricalcounter.co.uk/products/Ceiling+Fans/Fantasia+Ceiling+Fans) to a down stairs room with a standard light fitting, do I need to do anything to the ceiling to strengthen it etc?

Some great advice for such a question but I would have thought people would recommend getting an electrician

This is a DIY help site.


playing with the mains electricals?

No referance to playing with mains. You must be non-US.


Be sure to use a fan brace in the ceiling and securely attach to ceiling joists in the attic

Electrical boxes rated for ceiling fan/light installation are available, even when no there is no access from above.

Yes I'm for the UK not US so it might be different for us here, but I'm new to this type of thing so thought it was worth asking before I went of doing such jobs around my house :)

As Harold mentions, here in the US we need to use a ceiling outlet box that is rated for ceiling fans, as a standard fan may not hold the weight of a ceiling fan.

Your best bet would be to visit an electrical distributor and discover what product is available in your area for your specific installation.

As Harold mentions, here in the US we need to use a ceiling outlet box that is rated for ceiling fans, as a standard fan may not hold the weight of a ceiling fan.

Your best bet would be to visit an electrical distributor and discover what product is available in your area for your specific installation.

So would my best bet be to ask around in a couple of specialist shops or websites selling what I would like to buy?

In U.S. they are sold in almost all home improvement (Home Depot, Lowe's, Menards) and hardware stores. Not an uncommon item.