Usually in multi dwelling buildings, you are not allowed to DIY electrical. Call your local building permit office and ask.
Do I need an electrician?
In the living room of my condo I need to get the wiring setup for a ceiling fan to be installed. I can run off the light switch off the wall, but here is no existing wiring so it is a new install.
Can I legally wire this, or do I have to have an electrician do it? Even if I can do this legally, should I have someone wire it for me?
Can I legally wire this, or do I have to have an electrician do it? Even if I can do this legally, should I have someone wire it for me?
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
Check your condo association rules for what you can and cannot do. You may not even be allowed to add a ceiling fan at all.
If you want you can install a fan with a swag kit. No electrical work required.
http://www.amazon.com/18-Ceiling-Fan-Swag-Kit/dp/B00061NON8?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0
http://www.amazon.com/18-Ceiling-Fan-Swag-Kit/dp/B00061NON8?ie=UTF8&*Version*=1&*entries*=0
Short answer - Yes you can remove a light fixture and put in a ceiling fan. The fan motor and fan light would be wired together and each controlled individually from a pull chain. Power to the fan is controlled from the wall switch. Typically the fan LIGHT stays on, the fan MOTOR stays off and the entire fan becomes a light fixture controlled from the wall switch. That way when you enter a dark room you can easily turn on the light from the wall switch.
Long answer, the elec. box that the fan mounts to, must be rated for the weight of a ceiling fan so it won't pull the elec. box out of the ceiling. If the current light fixture is a chandelier (weight) then elec. box might be ok. If you have attic access you can find the box and check it. Look online to see the difference between a elec. box rated for a ceiling fan vs a light fixture. You can also cut a bigger hole around elec. box to check or replace it, then patch the enlarged part of the hole with sheetrock and use a "ceiling fan medallion" to make it pretty.
The elec. box would be the biggest challenge, the fax installation would be the easy part. If you had to cut sheetrock, make sure patched sheetrock is sealed around the elec. box with chalking so that you don't lose conditioned air to the attic.
If you are unsure about it or if deed restrictions require a licensed electrician then don't do it. A licensed electrician would be cost prohibitive for most people.
Long answer, the elec. box that the fan mounts to, must be rated for the weight of a ceiling fan so it won't pull the elec. box out of the ceiling. If the current light fixture is a chandelier (weight) then elec. box might be ok. If you have attic access you can find the box and check it. Look online to see the difference between a elec. box rated for a ceiling fan vs a light fixture. You can also cut a bigger hole around elec. box to check or replace it, then patch the enlarged part of the hole with sheetrock and use a "ceiling fan medallion" to make it pretty.
The elec. box would be the biggest challenge, the fax installation would be the easy part. If you had to cut sheetrock, make sure patched sheetrock is sealed around the elec. box with chalking so that you don't lose conditioned air to the attic.
If you are unsure about it or if deed restrictions require a licensed electrician then don't do it. A licensed electrician would be cost prohibitive for most people.
There is no existing it is a new circuit. Being a condo attic access is doubtful. In this case I think a sparky is called for.Short answer - Yes you can remove a light fixture and put in a ceiling fan. The fan motor and fan light would be wired together and each controlled individually from a pull chain. Power to the fan is controlled from the wall switch. Typically the fan LIGHT stays on, the fan MOTOR stays off and the entire fan becomes a light fixture controlled from the wall switch. That way when you enter a dark room you can easily turn on the light from the wall switch.
Long answer, the elec. box that the fan mounts to, must be rated for the weight of a ceiling fan so it won't pull the elec. box out of the ceiling. If the current light fixture is a chandelier (weight) then elec. box might be ok. If you have attic access you can find the box and check it. Look online to see the difference between a elec. box rated for a ceiling fan vs a light fixture. You can also cut a bigger hole around elec. box to check or replace it, then patch the enlarged part of the hole with sheetrock and use a "ceiling fan medallion" to make it pretty.
The elec. box would be the biggest challenge, the fax installation would be the easy part. If you had to cut sheetrock, make sure patched sheetrock is sealed around the elec. box with chalking so that you don't lose conditioned air to the attic.
If you are unsure about it or if deed restrictions require a licensed electrician then don't do it. A licensed electrician would be cost prohibitive for most people.
Assuming this is a multi tenant building then the liability you would incur if the new wiring should cause a fire would be a financial disaster and possible legal as well . Hire an electrician and check your covenants and rules as to what you can and cannot do. If it's modern construction then the walls and ceilings between you and other units are fire barriers and you can not penetrate them with restoring the original fire rating.
Is there a neutral(doubtful) in the switch box? What does that light switch control now another ceiling light or a switched outlet on the wall?In the living room of my condo I need to get the wiring setup for a ceiling fan to be installed. I can run off the light switch off the wall, but here is no existing wiring so it is a new install.
Can I legally wire this, or do I have to have an electrician do it? Even if I can do this legally, should I have someone wire it for me?
It depends on your jurisdiction and their laws. At my NY location there is no requirement to have an electrician but the extension or modification of an electrical system requires a permit and inspection. We don’t license electricians so anyone can call himself an electrician. Replacing a fixture with a fan-no permit. Running a new wire for a fan-yes to a permit. Check your local laws.
The original poster has been enjoying either the cool breeze or the hot sparks for the past 5 years.Is there a neutral(doubtful) in the switch box? What does that light switch control now another ceiling light or a switched outlet on the wall?
1 - 10 of 10 Posts
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