[katerooni]

I even have pics for you! ;)

Dh managed to break the light switch pull chain on our ceiling fan. I took the light kit apart, looked up the part at the manufacturer's website, ordered the part and now that it is here I can't figure out how to replace it. Dh has worked as a fiber optic cable puller in the past so I have some wiring tools like cable strippers and cutters and things he calls "snips." I watched carefully when he installed the fans so I know about capping and stuff.

Here is the whole light kit's innards:


The old switch has a blue (left) and black (right) wire coming from it. The black one looks like it meets up with all the other black ones from the light bulb receptacles and is capped off. I can figure that out. The blue one goes into the very center of some kind of plastic color-coded grid, which plugs into the fan assembly still hanging from the ceiling.


I understand that I would be pulling out the blue wire. Without taking it apart yet, it looks like the wires inside the grid have metal crimps of some sort on them. Will I be trying to crimp the new wire with the one currently in the plug?

Next question: the new switch only has black wires. If I lay the old switch next to the new one, do I pretend that the wire on the left is blue?


Thanks in advance for all your help & suggestions. If you need more detailed info, let me know. This just seems like such an easy repair, I can't stand the thought of paying $75 for a house call for something that looks like it could take me 10 minutes. Except I've been staring at it much longer than 10 minutes now... please tell me I can do this and it isn't a) busted forever, or b) in need of a qualified electrician!

[donf]

OK, what does "dh" stand for? Yes you should be able to do this work.

Here's what you are looking at:

The two white plastic things are called connector blocks. One is a male and the other is a female. When connected they marry the light package to the fan's electrical wiring.

The black wire from the switch is supplying the source voltage to power the lights. It should be going to the normally closed (n/c) terminal of the switch. The blue wire, if followed through the fan's connect should be connected to black or red ceiling wire, depending on the type of wiring in the ceiling.

To replace the switch, I would connect the lower black wire to the wires under the cap that the old switch leads to after removing the black lead from the old switch.

I would then cut the blue wire near the old switch and strip back enough of the blue insulation to allow you to twist connect the wires together and then cap off with a wire connector. Leave no wire exposed from under the wire nut. For safety's sake you might want to use electrical tape to wrap the wire and wire not, just to make sure everything is covered.

Prior to reinstalling the light package, I would suggest that you take a "Continuity" tester and with one end clipped to the black wire's post and the probe end connected to the blue wire, test the switch. With the switch open, you should not see a light at the probe end. With the switch operated or "closed" the light tip should glow.

Clear as mud?

[KISS]

Colors don't matter for a 2-wire switch. You can't hook it up backwards.

Don't bother trying to remove the contacts from the plug. You would need a contact removal tool and new contacts and a contact crimp tool to boot.

So your left with, cut the wires going to the switch at a convenient length, strip the wires and use the appropriate sized wirenuts or twist-on connectors to make the connections. The connectors that the manufacturer used actually crimp on, but you don't have to use these. Use ones that twist on. A picture of a wirenut is here: http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thu...8_wirenuts.jpg

The package will have a list of permissible combinations; Your looking for 2-#18 or 2 wires, 18 AWG. Cut, strip, twist and twist the wirenut in place. Make sure that none of the conductors can easily short to something else.

[ceilingfanrepair]

I agree. Cut the wires from the old switch, connect the wires from the new switch (doesnt matter which to which), problem solved.

Ceiling fan pull chain replacement and repair - Ceiling Fans N More

[donf]

OK, you got me.

Why are you having this lady cut both leads? I understand the blue lead, which is why I suggested the same thing, however, isn't the black wire going to a wire nut already?

Wait a minute, is the Clear connector a crimp on instead of a wire nut? If so, I understand.

[ceilingfanrepair]

Good point. I was typing too fast.

[katerooni]

Thanks so much guys! Let there be light and whatever! :p

[donf]

Kate,

We did our part, now what does DH mean? Could it be dynamic husband or delightful husband?

[donf]

Kiss,

On a SPST switch like the above, I'm not so much concerned with where the wires go as I am about the physical orientation of the switch itself.

If the installer matches the connections to keep the switch in the proper orientation, then the odds of having a cleaner install go up. It's the mechanicals I'm thinking about now.

[medglenn]

I just reviewed this group of postings, and found it very helpful. I am working on changing out the light switch on a light/fan combo. I was wondering if anyone ever found out what "dh" stands for.

Thanks medglenn

[ceilingfanrepair]

"delightful husband" sounded like an accurate guess.

Why is it relevant?