Help with ceiling fan install? (Home Depot, installation, room, lighting)
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Looking to install a ceiling fan in our loft. We currently have canned/recessed lighting in the loft controlled by one light switch.
The easiest way to do this, is to run a whip from a light to where ever I want the fan at.
The problem with that is that in order for the fan to turn on, I'd have to turn on all the lights in the loft as well as they would all be on the same light switch.
If I were to install a ceiling fan in the loft, is there a way to control the fan on its own light switch?
Or what is the easiest way if possible to accomplish this?
Location: Visitation between Wal-Mart & Home Depot
8,309 posts, read 38,792,265 times
Reputation: 7185
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jedi5
Looking to install a ceiling fan in our loft. We currently have canned/recessed lighting in the loft controlled by one light switch.
The easiest way to do this, is to run a whip from a light to where ever I want the fan at.
The problem with that is that in order for the fan to turn on, I'd have to turn on all the lights in the loft as well as they would all be on the same light switch.
If I were to install a ceiling fan in the loft, is there a way to control the fan on its own light switch?
Or what is the easiest way if possible to accomplish this?
I've connected recessed cans to a control module in a ceiling fan's housing before and never had any problems, but the manufacturer does not recommend it, I doubt that the NEC would bless that and it may be something that your insurance company could use against you in the event of a fire. Not to mention that you would have to rewire your recessed lights.
The right way to do it would be to install a 2 gang box in the wall, pull a new wire for the fan and install a separate toggle switch or fan control alongside the switch for the lights. It's probably less trouble and less work than trying to bend the rules for a fan/light control anyway.
Naw, nothing having to do with being cheap.
I was just trying to find the easiest way to do this without making a mess or that much work for myself.
So what I can do then is fish the new wires thru the existing pipes. Run them all the way up to the attic and just have them come out at a new gang box for the ceiling fan, right?
What's better; to fish the the new wires thru the existing pipes or install all new conduit for the fan?
I've checked and the current pipe does have enough room for me to run 2 new wires.
The light switches currently have a 2 gang box: one toggle controls the hall lights and the other toggle controls the loft lights.
I'd have to install a 3 gang box which is no problem. What's the best way to get power to the new toggle?
I have done some electrical work before but nothing like this.
So what I can do then is fish the new wires thru the existing pipes. Run them all the way up to the attic and just have them come out at a new gang box for the ceiling fan, right?
Normally there is no "Pipe" inside the wall. Those metal pipes you see on the walls that have wires in them are typically commercial or industrial installations, there are no pipes inside your wall to fish the wires through. Is this pipe on the face of the wall? If so it's not a typical residential installation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jedi5
What's better; to fish the the new wires thru the existing pipes or install all new conduit for the fan?
I've checked and the current pipe does have enough room for me to run 2 new wires.
If there's room, it's perfectly legal to use the existing pipe. If there are individual wires in the pipe, you can use the ground from the recessed lighting for the ground on the fan. Typically 3 wires are run for a fan, so if you wanted to add a light fixture to the fan later, no re-wiring is required, but two will work.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jedi5
The light switches currently have a 2 gang box: one toggle controls the hall lights and the other toggle controls the loft lights.
If it's a two gang box already, no need to make it a 3 gang box. Just get a double switch like this:
Naw, nothing having to do with being cheap.
I was just trying to find the easiest way to do this without making a mess or that much work for myself.
So what I can do then is fish the new wires thru the existing pipes. Run them all the way up to the attic and just have them come out at a new gang box for the ceiling fan, right?
What's better; to fish the the new wires thru the existing pipes or install all new conduit for the fan?
I've checked and the current pipe does have enough room for me to run 2 new wires.
The light switches currently have a 2 gang box: one toggle controls the hall lights and the other toggle controls the loft lights.
I'd have to install a 3 gang box which is no problem. What's the best way to get power to the new toggle?
I have done some electrical work before but nothing like this.
It is called conduit or EMT. It can be common in residential in certain areas. If there is room in it, you may be able to use it. You would pull the existing wire out, run a snake, then tape on all the wires you want. You might or might not want to replace existing wire. Personally, I would. Pushing wire against wire to force more into a conduit with wires in it might not be as easy as you think or have happy endings. A snake is pretty inexpensive, or you could just tape a nylon cord to the end of an existing wire before you pull it out and pull the new batch back through using that cord. If it starts to pull hard, back it out before you damage it, and get the PROPER lubricant, apply it to the wire and re-pull. With a few can lights and a fan and a short run, I don't foresee any overload issues.
One other important thing - with a ceiling fan, proper attachment to a solid framing member or designed support is vital.
Location: Visitation between Wal-Mart & Home Depot
8,309 posts, read 38,792,265 times
Reputation: 7185
Quote:
Originally Posted by harry chickpea
It is called conduit or EMT. It can be common in residential in certain areas. If there is room in it, you may be able to use it. You would pull the existing wire out, run a snake, then tape on all the wires you want. You might or might not want to replace existing wire. Personally, I would. Pushing wire against wire to force more into a conduit with wires in it might not be as easy as you think or have happy endings. A snake is pretty inexpensive, or you could just tape a nylon cord to the end of an existing wire before you pull it out and pull the new batch back through using that cord. If it starts to pull hard, back it out before you damage it, and get the PROPER lubricant, apply it to the wire and re-pull. With a few can lights and a fan and a short run, I don't foresee any overload issues.
One other important thing - with a ceiling fan, proper attachment to a solid framing member or designed support is vital.
With conduit is there any reason he couldn't just pull a couple strands of THNN through? (or is that what you're saying?)
Thanks all for the help and suggestions.
I guess it really isn't going to that much work after all.
I was thinking I had to tear up my wall and then patch up all these holes... which is why I was looking for the easiest route.
How does wiring on a double switch work? Just connect the current wires to the new double switch and add the new wires going to the ceiling fan? I know I simplified the process a lot but am I pretty close?
How does wiring on a double switch work?
Just connect the FEED wire to the new double switch at the FEED wire screw...
and add the new wire to the ceiling fan along with the old wire to the light to their screws?
am I pretty close?
pretty close.
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