How to Convert a Light Switch to Operate a Ceiling Fan

Convert a Light Switch to Operate a Ceiling Fan

Free Counter

Essentially what we are starting with is an electrical outlet that you plug a lamp into that you have connected to a switch so that when you walk into the room you flick the switch on and viola “Let there be light.”

In this adventure we’re going to explore hardwiring a switch operated outlet to an “always on” condition. Just like any standard outlet in your home. And as an added bonus, still be able to run a ceiling fan from the switch!

I know it sounds a little complicated but trust me this is a very, very easy thing to do.

What you will likely need for this job is:

1 phillips screwdriver
1 standard screwdriver
1 small flashlight
1 pair of wire cutters
1 wire nut
1 box 25’of 14/2 Romex wire
1 Rotozip (or similar tool)
1 roll of masking tape
3-4 plastic drop clothes
1 voltmeter

The hardest part of this job will be patching the drywall and running the Romex from where the ceiling fan will be mounted all the way over to where the light switch is located.

STEP 1 – Converting the Wall Outlet

Okay, it is best to be doing this job in the day time if possible. Begin by turning off the circuit breaker at the main electrical panel of the house. (Safety First!) Now remove the switch plate from the light switch and then un-mount and pull the switch from the box.

You should see that your switch has a black wire attached to each terminal. So, what you are going to do is simply remove the black wire from the top terminal and add it to the bottom terminal. So that both black wires are connected to the same terminal screw. By doing this simple step, you have re-wired the electrical outlet to be "ON" all the time, and the switch is no longer controlling anything.

Note:(You could stop at this point if you wanted to just remove a switch from a room. You would just take out the switch and use a wire nut to connect the black wires and then just patch up the wall.)

STEP 2 – Installing the Fan Wiring

This is likely to be the most difficult part of this job. Mainly because you have to cut a hole in your ceiling where you want to mount the fan. Then you have to mount an electrical box into the hole you made in the ceiling so that you have something to mount the fan to. Next you have to run the Romex wires from the hole in the ceiling over to the light switch. This may take several holes to be able to route it over there.

(When I did this type of installation in my living room, I had to make one hole for the fan, then 3 additional holes in the ceiling to route the wire over to the wall. Then I had to make a hole in the wall near the ceiling to route the wire over and into the wall and down to the light switch.) When I do this installation in my bedroom, I will be sure to take some pictures and post them here.

STEP 3 – Wiring the Switch to Control the Fan

Surprisingly this can be pretty easy too. Now that you have routed the Romex from the electrical box in the ceiling over to the light switch all you have to do is make a few simple connections and your in business. Since the switch has two black wires on the bottom terminal, that means the other terminal is empty. So, connect the black wire from the fan box to the top terminal of the switch. Now, what you will do is cut the white wire that is in the box or wall and using a wire nut connect the white wire from the Romex, so you will have 3 white wires together. Lastly connect the ground to the ground terminal (green screw)on the switch, or to the metal electrical box that the switch mounts into. This part being done, you can remount the switch into the wall and proceed with the rest of the ceiling fan installation.

Now you have a switch operated ceiling fan, and a wall outlet that is permanently "ON".

Although I could write all about the ceiling fan installation, I would rather assume that you can follow the directions in the box, and if you run into a question, I know that the "Ceiling Fan Install" topic is well covered on Google. Just search it.

Until next time, I'm your biggest fan!



Free Cracker 4 Jack
New to Xomba? Did you enjoy what you read?
Would you like to get paid by writing similar articles?Join Xomba today and get started!