Help Identifying Unknown Wires in Ceiling Fan
I’m installing a new ceiling fan in my living room and made what amounts to a rookie mistake. I took down the old ceiling fan but neglected to record which color wire from the old ceiling fan (black, white, blue, green) connected with the wiring in the house. The wires from the house are not…
I’m installing a new ceiling fan in my living room and made what amounts to a rookie mistake. I took down the old ceiling fan but neglected to record which color wire from the old ceiling fan (black, white, blue, green) connected with the wiring in the house.
The wires from the house are not color coded and I am at a loss as to how to proceed:
1. Can I simply do a trial and error approach without risking a short/fire/etc.?
2. Is there a device that I can pick up to somehow tell me which wire is which?
3. Or should I throw in the towel and call a professional?
Thanks.
white is neutral
green is ground
black is the hot for the light
blue is the hot for the fan
if there is no separate switch on the wall for fan and light, you gang the blue and black together to the switched hot on the ceiling
Nice.
forgot to mention – you need structural engineer to validate that ceiling will support the weight of the fan.
signofthetimes is right – you need permit and licensed electrician. But first you need architect to file plan with the city (what if the fan will chop off somebody’s head). Then call fire department to be sure that fan does not interfere with sprinkler system. Then you need to hire asbtos investigators to validate that your ceiling is not popcorn ceiling painted with lead paint. If true – rectify it before calling electrician by calling fully licensed and insured professionals.
If your house in landmark district – file with the department if the fan is visible from the street.
You don’t even need an actual tester to find out which is the hot wire. You can use a pig tail socket with a light bulb. The wire that causes the bulb to light when you touch one lead to it and the other to the box is the hot one.
signofthetimes has a very apt name. IT really is a sign of the times that people are afraid of a little tinkering.
Pick up a meter at radio shack or the hardware store and start with one house wire. Set the meter to ac voltage (should look like this: ~ with a line under it).Turn the light switch on. Put one lead from the meter on one of the house wires and the other lead to the box. If you see 110 that is your hot and it goes to the black. If you don’t it’s your neutral and it goes to the white. If you have voltage on both call an electrician quick. Some fans are tricky. The blue wire can be for the fan or the light kit. Same with the black. Typically blue is for the light. You didn’t say how many wires were coming into the box, if it is 2, put the blue and black together on the hot. The green is the ground; tie it to the electrical box.
Live & learn…next time you’ll pay attention when disconnecting. This may help
http://www.ceiling-fans-n-more.com/ceiling-fan-wiring.php
You don’t need a licensed electrician. Get a cheap tester / multimeter if the house wiring isn’t color coded. Call a handyman if you want to throw in the towel. Make the connections with the circuit breaker or wall switch off & you should be fine.
total bs on above. if you would respond about fan wires it’s easy.