[timinator]

Hi, I would like to install a ceiling fan in a bedroom but there is no existing fixture. I'm confident I can get the fan mounted but I'm not sure about the wiring. There is a wall switch that controls the top receptical of a double receptical about 3' from the switch. I have no strong preferrence on how the fan is turned on or off. Where do I run the wire from the to? And what type of wire would be used? Thanks in advance
Tim

[labman]

It will be much easier to fish a wire through the wall if you choose an interior wall even if it is further away from where the fan will be. You do have access to an attic above where the fan is going? Measure carefully and buy about 3' more wire than you need. 14-2 NM with ground should do, but 12-2 shouldn't be much more. Cut the outer jacket off about 6'' and 2 of the wires. Make a hook in the end of the third wire. Shut the power off and remove the receptacle. Push the hook and the rest of the wire up through a hole in the top of the box. Some boxes you may have to knock a new hole in a spot prepared for it. Next, measure carefully and drill about a 3/4'' hole through the 2 x 4 plate as near to the box as possible. Stick a wire with a hook on it down the hole and try to snag the hook in the electrical wire, coat hangers work well. Some times dropping a weight on a string and snagging it from the box works better. Pull the wire up through, and connect to the fan. Bare and green wires connect together or to green screws. White to white of nickel plated screws, and black to black or brass screws. Connect the new wire to either the feed wire or the wire from the switch. If you use #14 wire, you can just strip it and push it into holes instead of using the screws.

Newer construction uses plastic boxes, and you are supposed to staple the wires to the stud. Not sure how you do that without ripping out the drywall.