Electrical Question from Jim about Light Switch Wiring

Received from Jim a Homeowner in Mentor. Ohio

Question: I’m installing a ceiling fan. The switch in the bedroom controls an outlet. I want to wire the fan so it is controlled by the switch. I also want the outlet to be constant hot but not controlled by the switch.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question.
This can be done but the wiring configuration must be identified and verified. Be aware that there may be more than one switched outlet in the room that will be affected.
Basically this is a process of  changing the wiring configuration at the outlet that is controlled by the switch. The wire returning from the switch will need to become a neutral wire and the power wire will need to take its place on the outlet to make that portion of the outlet is powered all the time. This will provide both power and neutral at the switch box which is required for the ceiling fan. A new cable will need to be installed from the wall switch up to the ceiling fan location. This wire can be a 3-wire type cable that could provide separate switching for the fan and the light. A double switch may be purchased which will install in the same size box and provide variable speed control for the fan and a dimmer control for the light.
An approved Ceiling Fan box must be installed and well supported.
Additional wiring must match the existing wire gauge and type.

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