How do you install an electrical fan?

This article was co-authored by Allen Lee . Allen Lee is a Home Improvement Specialist and the Owner of Honest Lee Handyman Services, a licensed and insured handyman business servicing Sacramento, California, and surrounding areas. Working with homeowners and businesses to get their small repairs done in a timely and efficient manner, Honest Lee Handyman Services provides gutter and dryer vent cleaning along with fixture, fence, drywall, and toilet repairs. This article has been viewed 765,563 times.

Article Summary

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To install a ceiling fan, attach the downrod to the fan body, then lift the fan up to the ceiling. Either use a hanging mechanism or ask someone to help you hold the fan in place while you connect the wiring. Connect the neutral, or white, wires first by twisting the ends of the wires together and securing them with a wire connector and electrical tape. Do the same for the ground wires, which are either green or bare, then connect the remaining wires together. Tuck the wires into the fan box, then screw the canopy over the fan box and attach the fan blades. Keep reading to learn how to install a new ceiling box!

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Familiarize Yourself with Wire Colors

The colors of the ceiling fan wiring might be slightly different than other household circuit wires. It's important to understand what each wire does and how it connects with the others. A ceiling fan with four wires is the most common. However, an additional color wire might be included.

The wire colors connected to the house:

• The black wire is the hot wire that leads to the switch.
• The white wire is neutral and completes the electrical circuit.
• Copper or green wire is the ground wire and keeps the fan from experience power surges.
• If there is a blue and black wire coming from the household circuit, there should be two switches on the wall.
• If there is a red wire coming from the ceiling, it is hooked up to the wall switch.

The wire colors connected to the fan: 

• Black wire is for the fan.
• Blue wire is for the lamp if one is included with the fan.
• White wire is neutral.
• Green wire is for the ground.
• Red wire is sometimes included and acts as a conductor to carry power to the light kit.