How to Wire a Ceiling Light & Fan to Receptacles

One of the easiest ways to add a new ceiling fan to a branch circuit is to tap into the circuit through the power receptacle at the end of the circuit run. Each receptacle has two sets of brass and silver terminals. The wires affixed to one set brings electricity to the outlet, while the other takes the electricity to the next fixture in the circuit. At some point, one receptacle has wires leading to it. This is the end of the run. By using the empty terminals to carry power to the fan and light, you can add a new fan without having to add another branch circuit.

Utility knife or keyhole saw
Screwdriver
Expandable brace bar
Fixture junction box
Drill with screwdriver bit
4 wood screws
Switch box
Switch
Screws
Fish tape
Two-wire NM cable
Electrical tape
Drywall patch kit

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the electricity to the circuit you are working on and locate the end-of-run receptacle. Remove this receptacle from its box by unscrewing the screws holding it in place.
- 2
  Cut the holes for the fan and the switch box. The fan hole should be large enough to allow you to slip the brace bar and junction box above the ceiling. Above the receptacle and the switch, where the wall and ceiling meet, cut a 1-by-2 inch hole for feeding the wires. Save the drywall for replacement later.
- 3
  Install the hardware. Attach the junction box to the brace bar using the hardware that came with the box. Attach the brace bar to the joists above the ceiling with the wood screws. Affix the switch box to the drywall with screws.
- 4
  Run the wiring. Feed the fish tape through the hole above the switch box across the ceiling to the junction box. Attach the electrical cables to the end of the fish tape and pull it back toward the wall. Drop the wire down to the switch box. Repeat this step with the receptacle-to-fan cable.
- 5
  Connect the wires to the switch and receptacle. Using a screwdriver, attach the black wires to the brass terminals and the white wires to the silver terminals. Connect the ground wires to the ground terminals in the switch and receptacle boxes. At the switch, wrap a piece of electrical tape around the white wire to indicate that it is hot. Attach the receptacle and the switch to their boxes using screws.
- 6
  Connect the wires at the fan and light kit. Using plastic twist-on electrical connectors, connect the black wire from the switch to the black wire from the receptacle. Using an electrical connector, connect the white wire from the receptacle to the fan's white wire and the light kit's white wire. Finally, connect the black wire from the fan and the red or black wire from the light kit to the white wire from the switch. Wrap a piece of electrical tape around the white wire from the switch to indicate it is hot.
- 7
  Hang the fan and light according to the manufacturer's instructions. Repair the holes in the drywall using a patch kit and turn on the power.

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