Ceiling fan

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:56 am

Hi, I have to take down a ceiling fan combined with a light, and replace it with a simple pendant light.

A few weeks ago I had a quick reccie on the wiring and noted that there were three wires coming through the ceiling (presumably one for the switch and two for the lighting circuit???). They all seemed to join up on various "loose" connectors which had to be tucked back into the fitting in order for the fan to be screwed back (I hope this makes sense).

Question #1 - is there an easy way to identify which wire is the light switch wire?

Question #2 - once I know the above, do the other two wires need to be identified so I know which one is coming from the previous light and which is going to the next or does it not matter in terms of wiring it up?

I hope all this makes sense!!!!

Post by **ultimatehandyman** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:32 am

Hi Andrew,

The three wires that are present will be the permanent live (this is so that the fan still works when the light is switched off) switched live and neutral.

The permanent live and switched live should be red or should have red sleeving on them, the neutral will be black.

To identify the permanent live look where it connects to on the light fitting and it should be marked, or the switched live may be marked with a _/ _

If there are no markings switch off the electricity at the consumer unit and remove one of the red wires from the fitting and wrap it it some insulation tape, switch the electric back on and try the light. If the light does not switch on you know that you have removed the switched live- the fan should still work! If the fan does not work, but the light does then you have removed the permanent live.

You then connect the pendant to the switched live and neutral.

I think You need to find out where the permanent live is fed from and disconnect it from there, or you may be able to terminate it into a spare terminal on the ceiling rose- better ask one of the sparks about this as I am not sure.

If it is harmonised wiring replace Red with Brown and Black with Blue above.

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 11:04 am

When I said wires, I meant cables (2 core and earth?).Sorry.

Does this make a difference?

I so shouldn't be let near electricity!

Rich-Ando · Post by **Rich-Ando** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 3:55 pm

without any access to a tester at all Andrew, all you can do is visually trace out the wires ( i am hoping the light has the loft above it)

there is another way but i wouldn't recommend it

it is times like this when i find it annoying that the original sparky did not fit sleeving on his switched live.

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:31 am

No loft above I'm afraid! ground floor flat.

Still, I've been told that all I have to look for is the the cable where the black goes to the live of the fan (the other two going to the neutral of the fan).

That sounds plausable to me, so I shall try that.

They should make cable sleeve a different outer colour for switches!

If the worst came to the worst, isn't there a way / device to attach to the cable at the switch (with the power off!) and another at the other end to see which cable registers the current?!?!

Rich-Ando · Post by **Rich-Ando** » Thu Sep 27, 2007 8:27 pm

yes there is, testing equipment. or a variation of it. i never mentioned it because i took it that you didn't have them.

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 11:18 am

I don't!

Agh, worst comes to the worst, I have a 33.33% chance of being right!

Jaeger_S2k · Post by **Jaeger_S2k** » Fri Sep 28, 2007 12:19 pm

Andrew wrote:I don't!

Agh, worst comes to the worst, I have a 33.33% chance of being right!

If it's as high as that today, I'd go for it, it could go down tomorrow

Andrew · Post by **Andrew** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:15 am

Sorted!!! And I'm still alive, which is nice.

Just had to look for the 1 neutral wire that went to the live, whereas the other two neutrals went to the neutral. That was the switch wire!

Rich-Ando · Post by **Rich-Ando** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 11:54 pm

Andrew wrote:Sorted!!! And I'm still alive, which is nice.

Just had to look for the 1 neutral wire that went to the live, whereas the other two neutrals went to the neutral. That was the switch wire!

n1 Andrew, i knew that was how you would have to do it but there's no way i could recommend you do that could i?

Wood Magnet · Post by **Wood Magnet** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:50 pm

Spoilsport.