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Ceiling Fan Installation - Series 1 Part 1

Summary: See a ceiling fan wiring and installation in home wiring complete with pictures to help you get it right. This installation of a ceiling fan shows how a 2 X 4 wood block was installed to provide the necessary support for a 4 Inch approved ceiling fan box.

How to Install a Ceiling Fan Box and Cross Support

Make sure to spread out a drop cloth to keep the floor and furniture protected from sheet rock dust and insulation that could fall and make a mess.

This installation provided great attic access to allow me to install a wooden block for necessary support. This saved the cost of a spanner bracket, and since I needed to bring romex wiring to the location anyway, it just made sense to select this approach.

As you can see I came prepared with a spanner box just in case. This Heavy-Duty Metal Pancake Box is designed for the weight of a ceiling fan. The 4 inch hole saw provides a perfect sized hole. After marking my location, the hole was cut and I was ready for installing the block of wood.

Attic Access Allows Installing a Ceiling Fan Box and Cross Support

This is a hole saw that is the same diameter as the metal ceiling fan box which fits in my cordless drill.	This is the approved ceiling fan box that will be installed. This special box comes with an insulated bushing and special screws used to mount the ceiling fan assembly to the box.

This is another type of approved box which may be used for ceiling fans as well. This assembly has spanner brackets that may be adjusted of the ceiling joists. This kit is great to use when the attic space is not accessible or when there is a second floor above.	The homeowner used blue tape to mark where the ceiling fan should be located. I used my awl to make the initial pilot hole for my hole saw.

The hole is drilled carefully while supporting the drill motor to avoid binding between the hole saw and the sheet rock.	A nice clean hole is made which reveals the attic insulation which is between the ceiling joists.
Safety measures must always be taken to get the job done without problems. Take a good light source, wear a dust mask and safety goggles. Plan your work when the attic will be the coolest. Stay on the wooden trusses and ceiling joists and do not put your weight on the sheet rock ceiling below the insulation. Use a tote tray or parts caddy to keep your materials together along with your tools. Its very easy to loose things in the insulation. Take your time and be very careful. Being in good physical shape is a must. If you don't feel comfortable about proceeding with your project, consult a reliable helper or hire a professional to do the job.

The cable was installed from the existing wall switch and brought to the ceiling fan box location.	A view from inside the attic reveals good working space for installing the required cross support or block of wood.

The opening in the ceiling is revealed and we see no further obstructions.	A measurement is made between the two ceiling joists so I can cut the cross support piece block of wood.

The cable leading back to the switch was stapled to the truss for protection.	The cross support is fit snugly into place and ready to be fastened into position.

Insulation is moved out of the way to allow me to secure the cross support between the ceiling joists.	Using my battery operated drill motor, I drove in 3 Inch screws to secure the block.

Ceiling Fan Lights Flash On and Off

Tuesday August 09, 2011, 10:12 PM John, from rolling meadows, Illinois asks: I have 1-2 year old hunter ceiling fan with 4 lights, fan works fine with all speeds and direction, however my lights flash on and off. I have tried turning circuit breaker on and off, which did not help. The bulbs all seem tight enough. I also checked the wall switch seems ok. Trouble seems to be in the ceiling fan itself. Any suggestions? Thank you.

John, does this happen when the fan motor is working? If so I would check all the connections with the light kit including the Blue Wire. There may be a loose wirenut or connection.
Also make sure the light bulbs are the right size, because some ceiling fans have a built in sensor that can cause lamps to go ON and OFF if the total amount of watts is too high.