Hello,
I want to install a ceiling fan, with lights, in my bedroom but there is no existing overhead fixture. The one switch in the room controls a receptacle, on the far wall, which we have a lamp plugged in.

The switch has 2 wires attached to it; 1 red and 1 yellow.

The receptacle has 5 wires attached to it; 2 red wires are connected to one screw, 1 yellow wire attached to another screw,
2 white wires attached to another screw. There is a metal band that connects the screw that has the 2 white wires to an open
screw. There is a total of 4 screws for this receptacle.

How can I install my ceiling fan using the existing wiring or do I have to install a new breaker? I would also like to keep the
recertacle hot.

I would like to replcae the switch with a duplex switch.

I stole some of this from dqsharpe.

Thanks very much for any help you can give me.

 

What you intend to do is possible although it will require a lot of work. First off this ceiling is there an crawl space above it or another floor. If yes to a crawl space or attic it will lessen the work considerabley if not then you will have to go the long way. If not you might have to do some patching repairs after is that OK?
Post back with the answer and I'm sure you can get help.

 

The attic is over this bedroom.

By the way this bedroom is on a 15-amp breaker.

 

One more question just to make sure, what state or country are you in?

 

I live in the suburbs of Chicago Illinois

 

Is this area your in under Chicago Code?

 

No it isn't

 

To do this first thing you will have to know is how much the circuit is drawing now and what this ceiling fan will draw. You can only have 12 amps on a 15 amp breaker. Check and see what is all on the circuit you are trying to tap into. I recommend reading some how to books on electrical wiring if you are not experienced dealing with running wire. Black and Decker have a very good one, with a good deal of pictures to help you along. The next thing is because you only have two wires at the switch the receptacle will no longer be able to be switched unless you are willing to run some new wires from the receptacle to the switch. You will have to make a decision on that. The question I do have is if this is not Chicago code is their conduit involved. I am wondering because of the yellow wire. But if it is conduit and not Chicago code it will make pulling more wires easier. I am curious as to why conduit was run if the code doesn’t call for it?

 

Consider using a "wire-less" fan/lite control. All you need for Branch-Circuit wiring is 120 volts at the COB.

Good Luck and Enjoy the Experience!!!!!!!!

 

I found out we follow NEC code and we can use BX conduit or
Greenfield. Right now there is the normal conduit up there. I want
the switch to control the ceiling fan and its light(s) not the
receptacle. I want the receptacle to be hot all the time.

Thanks Pattbaa for you input

 

In that case you will have to start taking measurements to determine the placement of the existing switch you want to run the light in relation to the attic. Once you have determined that then you would have to drill a whole in the top of the wall from the attic directly above the switch. Then you can fish a wire down from the attic to the switch my suggestion is to run a 12/3 wire down. Use the other end as your feed to the light/fan. At the wall receptacle you will have to identify the incoming power being the old receptacle was switched it would be a good idea to just remove it and replace it with a new one please ensure the power is off at this point. I am assuming the wires going to the switch are in a conduit and not in BX if they are then you can pull two new wires in with a black and white, please check this and post back. Taking the incoming power at the receptacle pigtail two wires about 6 inches long both the white and black and connect one of the black and white wires respectively to the corresponding wires going to the switch, connect the other wires directly to the proper terminals of the receptacle. At the switch box connect the white coming in from the receptacle with the white going to the ceiling. Did you only want one switch to control both light and fan or were you going to install a switch for both these type of double switches are available? If only using one switch then connect the red and black together with a pigtail and connect that to the other side of the switch. If you are using the double switch assembly then you would connect the red to one load side terminal and the black to the other load side terminal. Please ensure the ground is connected to the box. In the ceiling it then just becomes a matter of installing an Octagon box and wiring the fan as per the manufactures instructions. Be careful to install the box so it is firmly planted and can withstand the weight of the fan along with its motion. I hope this helps a little.

 

I will have to digest this and get back to you. Thanks.