installing a new ceiling fan
#1
07-20-03, 11:48 AM
installing a new ceiling fan
Took off the off ceiling fan (a model with light fixture) and am installing a new one. Out of the ceiling are 4 wires.: black, white, red and ground. The new fan (also with a light fixture) has only black, white, and ground. To which wire do I attach the red wire to thats coming from the ceiling? The white or the black (hot). I'm guessing its the white. Help!!!
#2
07-20-03, 12:02 PM
Member
Fans with lights but no remotes always have four wires coming out. The fact that yours only has three means that you have lost a wire, or the fan has a built-in remote control. Does you new fan have a built-in remote control?
Unless you are contemplating suicide, do not attach that red wire to the white wire!!!!!!! If you are contemplating suicide, please call your suicide hot-line immediately.
Unless you are contemplating suicide, do not attach that red wire to the white wire!!!!!!! If you are contemplating suicide, please call your suicide hot-line immediately.
#3
07-20-03, 12:06 PM
ceiling fan
I found out just before I read your post that the red is a hot wire, but thanks for the suicide prevention tip. The new fan does have a built in remote control. Curiously the old fan I removed had three wires plus ground even though it did not have a remote.
So what to do with the extra red wire coming from the ceiling? The switch that controls the fan/light on the wall has two switches, one for the light and a separate switch for the fan. Does that help?
So what to do with the extra red wire coming from the ceiling? The switch that controls the fan/light on the wall has two switches, one for the light and a separate switch for the fan. Does that help?
#4
07-20-03, 12:20 PM
Member
Unless you prefer to use the remote rather than the wall switches, I suggest that you return this fan and buy one without a remote control. Or if the remote control is easily removeable, perhaps you could remove it exposing the fourth wire you need.
If you elect to keep this fan, and to use the remote control, then simply cap off the red wire. You will then not be using either wall switch (one must be left on, and the other will be dead), but control the fan exclusively with the remote transmitter.
There are downsides to remote controls.
If you elect to keep this fan, and to use the remote control, then simply cap off the red wire. You will then not be using either wall switch (one must be left on, and the other will be dead), but control the fan exclusively with the remote transmitter.
There are downsides to remote controls.
