However, there is one item I rarely touch, and would rather do so with a 10 foot rubber conduit so I avoid seeing my bones. Electrical is always better left to the professionals. In my excitement to solve problem B in our master bedroom {no light connected to the light switch}, I thought I could handle attaching a light to the ceiling fan that is already installed.
The fan operates with the switch, there was a spot to install a light on the fan; how hard could that be? {Invincible me says - this should take 5 minutes...}
With Brett sitting on the bed, entertained by what he calls my 'Napoleon complex' where no job is too big for me, I first and most importantly shut off the switch and the breaker to the light. After removing the cover for the area that houses the wiring for a light fixture, I was delighted to find two wires that did not complete the circuit. Both wires were labeled 'FOR LIGHT USE'. Each matched the wiring on the light fixture with one black and one white wire.
Suddenly, I felt like Hercules...invincible to the complexity of electricity! Here was my opportunity to show Brett my handy{wo}man skills. First, I secured the mounting bracket to the fan and then adjusted my fixture wires to the appropriate length and stripped them. Once it was adjusted to hang, I attached the green ground wire to the green screw on the bracket. Finally, I attached the black and then the white wires to their correlating wires in the fan {the ones labeled 'FOR LIGHT USE'}. It all took me about 5 minutes; I snapped the cover into place and ran to the light switch for testing. {After the breaker was back on.}
Before I flipped the switch on, I experienced a momentary feeling of worry that sparks might emit from the fan and light. The most depressing feeling followed once I ceremoniously set the switch to 'ON' and was still standing in complete darkness.
When in doubt, seek advice from the professional. Brett got in touch with his electrician brother and good friend, whom both offered a few solutions. One major one, is that the fan might not be hooked up for lighting at the main connection in the ceiling. Hmm...so do we take off the whole unit?
Not one that is a fan of the 90's ceiling fan, I took this as my opportunity to propose a new light fixture all together. Brett took it hook, line and sinker and we opted to find something that we both deemed aesthetically pleasing. Now, where to stow a semi new ceiling fan...any takers?
Here is the replacement that we chose to illuminate the space. It was safely installed with no zaps. Wiring is enough to make me a little nervous; any future electrical projects that are any more in depth will require someone who knows more than I do.
What about you, do you brave the wires and circuits or do you call the pros?
Dar - I would call a pro or Uncle Jim!
ReplyDelete