Now take a close look at the cables coming into the box take notes on how they’re connected. Use a voltage tester to confirm that the fixture and all the wires in the box are de-energized, and make sure they’ll stay that way while you’re working on them. The ceiling light’s circuit should be turned off at the service panel. Just shutting off the existing light at the wall switch doesn’t guarantee that power is off in the ceiling box. Remove the old box, and check the existing wires Although not required by code, it’s advisable to keep the load below 80% of those figures. If the total wattage is more than 1800w for a 15-amp circuit or more than 2400w for a 20-amp circuit, the circuit definitely is over loaded. Add up the wattage of the lights and appliances that are fed by the circuit be sure to include things that may not be used all the time, such as space heaters. The easiest way is to turn off that particular circuit breaker and see what else no longer works. Map out the circuit to determine what’s on it. If the circuit was close to capacity before, you don’t want to overload it. Most fan/light fixtures use two to three times more power than a standard light fixture. Easy or not, there are a couple of important safety issues to keep in mind: avoiding electrical shock and getting the fan solidly attached to the ceiling framing.īefore you do anything, find out if the circuit has the capacity to run the new fixture. Ceiling fans are easier than ever to assemble and install in fact, I recently walked a friend through the process in an afternoon. Written by an electrical contractor, this article discusses the important aspects of a ceiling-fan retrofit: namely, using fan-rated outlet boxes and checking the existing wiring, as well as other installation tips.Ī ceiling fan is a great way to improve your comfort at home, and one of the most common retrofit projects is one that replaces an existing ceiling light with a fan that includes a light.
Synopsis: A ceiling fan improves a room’s climate and its overall appearance, and the units are fairly easy to install - all good reasons why retrofits are so popular.
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