I am considering replacing the existing bare bulb light fixture in my office with a ceiling fan. I do not have access to the attic, nor are there any crawl spaces. The existing fixture is a simple incandescent light bulb. Do I need to fish any more electrical wires through? Are there ways to anchor the fan in without tearing up my ceiling?
2006-07-09 14:30:21 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
DO NOT replace a normal incandescent fixture with a ceiling fan unless the mounting box is an approved fan box (not likely). Fishing wires wouldn't be necessary as long as there is an existing switch. If you attempt to mount the fan to a normal box, you are asking for a SERIOUS accident to come down on you. Sorry about that, but anyone who tells you otherwise is asking you to violate multiple NEC codes that have been established for safety of the end-user. I am an electrician by trade for many years.
2006-07-19 14:06:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a telescoping brace for just such use sold in hardware stores. It attaches to the ceiling joist on each side and allows you to adjust for where you want the box located, which is where you want the fan. The wires should reach and be fine, as long as you put the fan in the same spot as the light. Be careful if you have that old wiring with the cloth insulation, very fragile. I'd suggest fishing newer, safer Romex if that's the case. Or just be really careful. Also select a fan/light with clearance so you don't have it being low enough to be in the way. There are flush mount models which require little clearance, in needed. I'd measure and see where you want the bottom of the fixture to end up. They do make it nice, though.
2006-07-09 16:01:35 · answer #2 · answered by fishing66833 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should not need to fish additional wire through. You may be able to use the existing electrical box if the current fixture is using one. There are ways to anchor the fan to nearby joists without tearing up your ceiling.
See the links below.
2006-07-09 14:43:20 · answer #3 · answered by Mark A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
follow the instructions on the fan box. you shouldn't have any trouble it should work with your existing fixture. However you may need to remove some of the ceiling around the fixture in order to secure the fan to the ceiling joists.
2006-07-20 07:54:50 · answer #4 · answered by Twila N 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you already have a fixture there, then you should have the connection box already in the ceiling, just use the existing wires and mount it to the box that's in the ceiling
2006-07-09 16:05:42 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ceiling fan installing? OK, you have to dismantle one piece of the ceiling and install a fan hook with bolt and nut. fix back the ceiling..Now hang the fan and connect the existing wires to the fan. disconnect the existing switch wire from the switch, pull it out and connect it to the Fan Regulator, connect a new short lenght wire from the Regulator to the switch... Now, screw the regulator to the wall just above the switch.
2006-07-23 04:14:08 · answer #6 · answered by PAL L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use the existing wire in the junction box already in the ceiling. Just make sure the box is SECURELY fastened to something above it. It's not pretty seeing one of these things come down when it's running.
2006-07-16 15:19:04 · answer #7 · answered by Corky R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ryan c has it right! There are expansion brackets for retrofitting a ceiling fan provided you have wood joists. If your office has metal studs that is a different problem since an expansion bracket has spikes that are designed to in-bed themselves into wood. They cannot do this in metal.
2006-07-21 00:23:11 · answer #8 · answered by opie with an attitude 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should be able to utilise whatever cables are already in place, however because of the weight of the unit you will need to secure it to a joist to ensure that it is secured in place properly.
2006-07-16 22:22:21 · answer #9 · answered by Whisper4691 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should not need to run more wires.
You will need to replace the fixture box
and it needs to be ul listed for fans.
Install your new fan box according to
the manufacture's directions.
2006-07-23 05:19:46 · answer #10 · answered by DJPJMALLOY 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋