Open beam ceiling and running wire...

Alan

Whats the best way to run wire out to the middle of an open beam ceiling?

I'm going to install a ceiling fan in order to help lower the heat rather than just losing it out of the ceiling, and also to help circulate throughout the rest of the house. Obviously I can't run a wire through the attic in this area.

The people who lived there before installed a box over the dining area for a chandeleir(SP?) and they just routed a groove in the wood between the beams, tacked the wire down and painted it to match. It looks terrible, so i'll be covering that one with something as well, but I want to do MINE the right way. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Christopher

Alan,

If the top of the beam is exposed but not visible, I would run romex cable along the top of the beam. If visibility cannot be avoided then I would use "wiremold"
http://www.wiremold.com/

As possible, connect to a 15 Amp. circuit so that you can use 14-2 cable, which is easier to work with than 12-2, which is mandatory on all branches of a 20 Amp. circuit.

...Christopher

Alan

Christopher,

Thanks for the advice. I made a home depot run today and got it all in, even painted the wire mold and box brown to match the ceiling. It looks spectacular.

Thanks again!