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How to Install a Ceiling Fan
Installing a ceiling fan is quite a simple job for an electrician. If the wiring is already in place the job just requires some basic mechanical and electrical skills. All electricians are capable of installing a ceiling fan so that you can enjoy the cool breeze, but ceiling fan installation can also be done without employing an electrician – if you have the necessary knowledge for the job. Along with the ceiling fan that needs to be installed you require mounting brackets and screwdrivers.
Shut off the main power switch at the electrical box which connects to the electrical point where you are placing the ceiling fan. Test before you start work by turning on the switch or by putting a circuit tester on the light point.
If there is a fixture on the point, remove it carefully. A light fixture should be removed in stages, first the light bulbs followed by the glass globes or glass covers. There are two or three kinds of electrical wires which have to be disconnected. The two wires are generally power and neutral, black or blue and white respectively. If there are three wires, there are black and white and a ground wire. The ground wire is generally green or it is simply a plain copper wire. Just keep the wire nuts aside; you may be able to reuse them. If you have any doubts about the tasks at hand, remember that it may be better to hire a professional electrician, rather than take unnecessary risks.
Check the electrical box thoroughly making sure that it is robust and fixed firmly to some structural support in the ceiling, because the ceiling fan is heavy and requires a solid mounting hook. Once you are satisfied with the inspection attach the mounting bracket to the electrical box. Use good and solid screws and tighten them well. If the fan is loose, it tends to make noise and wears out fast.
Hang the fan on the ‘working hook’ and start working on the wiring. Follow the standard color coding system while you are attaching the wires. White should be attached to white, black or blue to black or blue, green or bare copper. Attach the ground wire for the house circuit directly to the junction box. Now you have to wrap the ground wire around, for which you need to loosen the screws a bit. With the help of a screwed-on wire nut simply cover the power connections which are the black and white wires. Push in all the extra wiring neatly into the electrical box.
Now connect the fan motor to the mounting bracket with the help of screws. Switch on the power and turn on the wall switch for the ceiling fan. When you see that it is working, just switch off the power again and attach the decorative motor cover. Don’t forget to do it at this stage, because you cannot do it once the fan blades have been mounted. Each fan blade should now be fitted into its mounting bracket.
Mounting the blades into the fan motor is not an easy job, especially if it is a big ceiling fan. You definitely need to get some help to hold up the blades for you while you are fixing them. Electricians and electrical contractors may be able to manage without any help, so hiring their services will ensure that the job is done properly.
Once the blades are fixed, test the fan by putting on all the connections. If there is some wobbling or noise, it can be taken care of by leveling the fixture gently. Some bigger ceiling fans have balancing kits which have small weights that level the rotation.
If you don't have the know-how, or have never carried out any electrical jobs on your own, it is highly recommended to hire a qualified and experienced electrician to help you install a ceiling fan.