Explanation of the Colored Wires in Ceiling Fans

Black Wire

• The black wire inside the electrical box is known as the “hot” wire. This wire carries electrical current to the ceiling fan (and sometimes to the lights as well). The corresponding wire on the ceiling fan provides power to the fan motor, and is wired through a pull-chain switch to control the fan speed. If a fan uses a pull-chain switch to operate lights installed on the fan, this wire provides power for the lights as well.

White Wire

• The white wire inside the electrical box is known as the “neutral” wire. This wire acts as a return wire, and is analogous to the “negative” wire on a conventional DC circuit. The corresponding wire on a ceiling fan provides a return path for the electrical current flowing through the fan (and the lights on the fan, if so equipped).

Green or Bare Wire

• An electrical box may contain a wire that has either a green insulation jacket, or no insulation at all. This wire is the ground wire. Electrical appliances often have a ground wire for safety reasons; if the fan develops a short circuit or other electrical failure, the ground wire dissipates electrical current by carrying this current to electrical ground. This action causes a safety device such as a circuit breaker to trip, which deprives the device of electrical power. The corresponding wire on a ceiling fan is green.

Wires in Other Colors

• A ceiling fan may contain a black-and-white striped, red, or blue wire in addition to the wires listed above. This wire is the lead for the lights on the fan. This lead allows the fan lights to be connected to a wall switch circuit. The corresponding wire in an electrical box is the red wire.