[pharmacist25]

I need to run a wire to a new ceiling fan we want to install. There is not junction box there. If I tap into one of the outlets or switches and run the wire up into the attic can I just pass the cable overtop of the insulation and pass it down through the box where the ceiling fan will be located? The reason for this I can see into this attic space from the side, but it was not built to be walked on. I was going to send the wire over to the hole for ceiling fan with a fish tape and leave it on top of the insulation. is this ok?

 

[rjniles]

Yes as long as the area is not walked on. Make sure you use a electrical box rated for a ceiling fan. If you are picking up power from a switch location, make sure there is a hot and neutral at that location.

 

[pharmacist25]

should I be worried about the cable siting on top of the insulation? or no?

 

[chetwisner]

should I be worried about the cable siting on top of the insulation? or no?

No, so long as nobody can walk on it, as rjniles said, above.

 

[pharmacist25]

I was going to run it through conduit for first 6 feet to protect it. And strap down conduit. Necessary?

 

[Jim Port]

Conduit sleeve are used to protect the cable from physical damage. It doesn't sound like it is needed.

 

[pharmacist25]

ok ,that makes sense. The wire going into the attic is very close to an outlet. Would it make sense to just wire the fan directly to the outlet and use a remote on/off (no light) and just not use a switch at all? Or is that weird?

 

[diyorpay]

That is not weird and is an acceptable solution.

Especially if fan also will have a light. To have a light operate independently requires another wire (3 conductor: usually black and red, white neutral and another switch. An standard outlet will not get you that.

A fan that comes with/is designed for, a remote control, is ideal as it will give you independent operation of a light that dims and fan speed controls with reverse and off. That type comes with a ceiling dome long enough to hide a receiver unit under itself. The remote is the sender. And all with just 2 conductors.

When you use the fish tape, first stick up a stiff wire of some type up the ceiling hole where the box will go to 'hook' to. Maybe feeding the conductor up from the ceiling hole with the 2 conductor wire stripped into a loop so the fish tape could snag it. You said you wanted "to run a wire to a new ceiling fan" but this would be the opposite actually: pulling wire from a ceiling fan location to an outlet.