Breaker Off / Ceiling fans

Ceiling fans

Look at the cable that goes up to the fan. A 2-wire cable runs the fan and light together on one switch; a 3-wire cable lets two switches run them separately.

01Ceiling fan wiring on one switch Two cables in the switch box and one 2-wire cable up to the fan box.
03Ceiling fan wiring with two switches Two switches in one box, and a 3-wire cable (black, red, white) up to the fan.

Questions people ask at the box

What is the blue wire on a ceiling fan?

The blue wire is the hot for the light kit. The black is the hot for the fan motor. Tie them together for one switch, or put them on separate switch wires for two.

Can I put a ceiling fan on a dimmer?

Not on a light dimmer: it can hum, overheat and damage the motor. Use an on/off switch, a fan speed control made for fans, or the fan's own remote.

Does a ceiling fan need a special box?

Yes. A fan must hang from a box listed for fan support (NEC 314.27(C)), marked on the box. An ordinary light box is not made to carry a moving fan.

I have two switches but only a 2-wire cable to the fan. What now?

Put the fan and light on the one switched wire and use the pull chains, or add a remote control kit that splits fan and light at the fan. Separate wall switches need a 3-wire cable.