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-   -   Adding an overhead fixture where there wasn't one before. (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=85636)

  • Apr 23, 2007, 09:31 PM
    jwkessel
    Adding an overhead fixture where there wasn't one before.
    My wife and I just moved into our new house a few months ago and we're looking to add a ceiling fan in our master bedroom. The problem is that there isn't a preexisting fixture to replace therefore I need to add power to a box so I can hang the fan.

    I've been up in the attic (I was up there bracing two other boxes that I added fans to) and I know that I have the room to access the location desired for the new fan as well as the wall that has the switch location. Currently, the switch operates the top plugs on two wall outlets.

    I would prefer to get both of those wall outlets completely hardwired and always on and have the switch operate only the fan and light (separately if possible), but I would not be opposed to adding a second switch and leaving the top plug on the wall outlets connected to a switch.

    This is what I need help with. I'm pretty handy with things and I know that I have no problem installing a new box and giving it adequate support, but since I have limited electrical experience (other than replacing fixtures) I could use some advice on how to get everything wired appropriately.

    Any and all help will be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
  • Apr 24, 2007, 07:43 AM
    ballengerb1
    Hey JW, I think I have a picture in my mind of what you are doing. There is a drawback to what I am suggesting since outlets and lights should be separate circuites. When you open the wall switch you will see two colored wires leading to and from the switch. If you don't see a white wire my idea isn't going to work since we need a neutral for the fan. If you open your wall switch and remove the switch you can wire nut those two colored wires together and now your outlets are hot 24/7. You need to fish a run from the attic down to the wall switch and that will require you to find the wall top plate and drill a verticle hole about 1" around. The top plate is a 2x4 running prependicular to and below the joists. If you get all of this done run a new wire between the switch and the fan. Jumper from the colored wires you wire nutted together to the brtass screw on the switch. At the fan end you connect your new run colored wire is your hot and goes to fan black. The wnew white wire is you neutral and goes fan white. Yur green wire is you ground and goes to fan ground. You may want to consider buying a fan with a factory remote or you can add a remote for about $29. This only works if you find a white wire in your switch box so check that first.
  • Apr 24, 2007, 03:43 PM
    ceilingfanrepair
    It's pretty simple. You either fan run a wire to the outlets, or to the switch. Running it to the switch will give you the option of having two switches (one for fan, one for outlets) or just one, running the wire to the outlet you end up with what you suggested.

    The outlets have two hot leads, one switched, one not. You would disconnect the switched hot lead and connect it to the fan hot. You would add the fan neutral and ground to the outlet neutral and ground.

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