Ceiling Fixture Installation Page 2

Installing a Ceiling Fan

Make sure the power to the ceiling outlet is off. Attach the fan motor to the outlet box first and then install the fan blades and light kit. There will be a baseplate included with the fan. Attach this firmly to the octagonal outlet box using the included screws. The motor is secured to the baseplate either with screws that thread thru the base cover or with a ball and socket assembly that attaches to the baseplate. There will be a hook welded into the baseplate to support the motor for fans that attach thru the base. The ball and socket assembly will support the motor on the second type.

Install the base cover plate before suspending the fan motor from the baseplate. Slice the wires. On most fans available in north america the wiring color code will be as follows: the black and blue or two black wires are spliced with the black supply wire. The white wires to the white supply wire and the green wire with the supply ground wire and the ground screw on the baseplate. Twist a wirenut onto each splice twisting clockwise.

Slide the base cover into place and attach it to the baseplate or remove the motor from the hook and attach the fan motor casing to the baseplate using the screws on the sides of the plate. Tighten the screws.

Attach the fan blades to the motor using two screws at each fan bracket. Install the light kit splicing like colored wires from the fan to the light fixture. Slide the light fixture coupler together with the fan and tighten the screws on the side.

Installing a Light Fixture

Make sure the power to the ceiling outlet is off. Locate the base of the light fixture. Make sure there are two screw holes in the base that line up with the holes in the outlet box. If the holes don't line up use an adapter, like the one pictured below, with matching holes. Check that the screws to be used thread freely into the outlet box and adapter.

If there are no hole in the base it will most likely make use of a threaded coupler to secure it to the outlet box. Use an adapter like the one pictured to attach this type of fixture.

Secure the adapter to the outlet box using the screws included with it. Feed the fixture wires thru the rod and the adapter hole. Turn the threaded rod into the adapter so the base of the new fixture will fit snuggly against the ceiling when installed. Measure the depth of the cover plate to estimate where to set the rod. Small adjustments can be made to the position after the base cover is installed.

Be sure all wires are stripped for splicing. See Splicing Wire for help. If necessary support the ceiling fixture while splicing the wires together. Usually the first wire splice will aid in supporting a small light fixture. Have a helper assist with supporting a larger, heavy fixture.

Splice the green fixture wire with the supply ground wire. If the ceiling fixture doesn't have a ground wire, attach the ground supply wire to the metal outlet box. Splice the black fixture wire with the black supply wire, splice the white fixture wire with the white supply wire. Thread a wire nut onto each splice twisting clockwise. Fold the wires into the outlet box and attach the fixture base to the outlet box using the two screws or the threaded nut. Tighten until the base fits tightly against the ceiling.

To add a new ceiling fixture where none exists see Page 1 of this article for framing instructions.