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On warmer days it is necessary to refresh our homes. And although air conditioners are more popular, ceiling fans have their own advantages. Not only do they use less energy, these devices also provide better air circulation to the environment.
However, unlike its more common counterpart, the process for installing a ceiling fan can prove to be a challenge for beginners. Therefore, we have prepared a practical guide for those who want to learn how to install ceiling fans.
Prevention and other necessary care
Before we start teaching you how to install a ceiling fan, it is important to always remember to turn off the power to the house in the power box. In addition to avoiding shocks, short circuits and other accidents with devices, this ensures your safety.
After making sure that everything is properly disconnected, it is necessary to identify the ground, neutral and phase wires. The neutral wire is identified by the light blue color, and it is the wire that serves as a reference for the conductors, always being at a load close to zero. The difference in charge between it and the phase wire is what determines the mains voltage.
The ground wire is part of the protection measures for electrical networks. It connects the electrical installation, in addition to serving as a grounding device for the network. Usually, the ground wire is identified as a simple green wire, or a green wire with yellow stripes.
The phase wire, also known as the conductive wire, is responsible for the electrical charge. Its voltage determines the voltage of the installation, having 127 or 220 volts more than the neutral wire. There are no standard colors for this yarn, but it is not uncommon for it to be red or black.
The way an electrical network works is as follows: the electrical charge passes through the phase wire, starting the circuit and sending energy to the device. The energy then returns, passing through the neutral wire, which closes the circuit and allows the device plugged in to work. The ground wire has this name because it is normally a grounded wire, and it serves to discharge the excess electrical charge, being a necessary safety measure in electrical installations.
Now that we talk about the wiring, we also need to talk about where the ceiling fan will be installed. The ceiling in question must support at least 25 kg, and have a height of more than 2.3 m. Keep the fan preferably in the center of the room, away from furniture, chandeliers and walls, to avoid accidents.
Service Tools
After checking the wiring and where we’re going to install the ceiling fan, it’s time to get your hands dirty. Make sure you have all the necessary equipment, and use the instruction manual to verify that all the necessary items came with the ceiling fan.
In addition, we will need the following equipment and tools:
- Five wires to perform the installation;
- Measuring tape;
- Drilling machine;
- Screwdrivers, phillips and testers;
- Pliers;
- Staircase;
- Insulating tape;
- Threads;
- Screws;
- Bushings.
Of course, always use the manufacturer’s manual as a backup when installing the fan.
Preparing the wiring
Now that you have the tools in hand and have already checked the condition of the power grid and the installation location, you need to prepare the wiring. It will be necessary to use the wires to connect the ceiling fan to the power switch: two for the motor, two for the lamp and one for the ground wire. If any of these wires are not installed, use an extra wire from the wall to the ceiling, with the help of a cable gland.
It is important to remember to never hold the ceiling fan by the wires. In addition to the risk of falling that this practice presents, there is also the risk of damaging the electrical wiring, damaging the product’s useful life.
Pass the Wires
Take the nipple (the small stainless steel pipe, made to assist in the installation) and run the lamp wires inside it. The fan and chandelier wires must be passed through the stem that comes out of the base.
Fit the Rod
Attach the rod to the motor, leaving the largest opening facing the wires. Then, attach the fixing pin and pass the two wires (socket and motor) inside the rod. Finally, attach the safety pin to the rod.
Attach the bracket
Using the dowels and screws, drill the correct holes in the ceiling to place the support. Then, install the bracket and attach the fan to it. At this point, make sure that there is a gap between the fan and the bracket, leaving the fan free to move when turning on the device.
For total security, we recommend fixing the fan on a slab ceiling, instead of wood or plaster. If it is necessary to install the ceiling fan in plaster or wood, we recommend using an auxiliary support to better fix the device. This support is assembled with parts found in any construction store: auxiliary aluminum channel and steel support.
Connect the ceiling wiring
Connect the phase wires of the lamp (usually black) and the motor (red) to the phase wire of the network. Then connect the lamp return to the switch return (black). Then, connect the exhaust wire to the motor fan wire (both white) to the capacitor. Finish by insulating the wires using electrical tape.
Connect the wiring to the control switch
Now that you have the fan installed on the ceiling, it’s time to put the control switch on. Start by replacing the light switch with the control key that comes with the fan. Then connect the control key wire to the lamp return, the two key wires to the motor wires and the power supply wire. Insulate the remaining wire and end the connections with electrical tape.
After passing the tape, make sure that everything is well insulated, so as not to make room for malfunctions or short circuits.
Finishing
The final part of the process of installing ceiling fans is to place the lamps and fit the chandelier, if you have one. Also, do a final check on everything, see if the screws are properly seated and if the fan blades are level. If any shovel is uneven, move it around the base until it is level with the others.
After making sure that everything is well connected and connected, turn the power back on and do a test. If everything is right, it will work without problems. If something goes wrong, the fan will probably not turn on. In this case, check everything again in the instruction manual and review the installation process, to make sure that you have not skipped any steps or that you have not connected any wires in the wrong place.
If everything appears to be right and the fan still does not work, turn it off using the switch and call the nearest service center. The same should be done if the fan stops working at any point during use. Do not attempt to modify the product to avoid damaging the device and voiding your warranty.
And so, you learned how to install ceiling fan
Did you see how it is not necessary to have so much technical knowledge? Installing a ceiling fan or any other more complex appliance is not difficult, it just requires a little research, practice and determination. With a little willpower and guidance, anything is possible.
What’s up? Did you like the guide? Enjoy and leave in the comments if everything went well and, if you can, leave other tips too!
