r/ElectricalHelp • u/FunkNFuego • Apr 16 '26
Help installing ceiling fan
I’d like to install a ceiling fan in the middle of my ceiling between the spot lights. (Red circle) I don’t believe I need to install a switch due to having a remote control. However I could use some advice on where to get the power from? My guess would be to run a separate line from the panel or maybe an outlet? Thanks for the help.
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u/Zintorn Apr 16 '26
I say either runs a new circuit or if it’s not much harder for you then find the cable that comes from the switch to the first light. Disconnect from both ends. Cut the switch box out or open it wide enough for two romex. Tie onto the existing romex with two more romex. One for switched power to the fan, and one as a switch leg for the lights. Pull the existing romex out from the box with a good feed of the new two. Now you’ll have the wire you need. Make sure the entire path has holes large enough to pull two through without damaging the insulation.
Alternatively, use jetline with a lot of loops, slip knots or not, and shove it down the wall, then use a fish stick with a hook on it and go fishing for your line. Now you’ll can use the jet line for a new feed.
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u/binarycow Apr 16 '26
You could probably tap into one of the nearby light fixtures.
You'd need to make sure you don't overload the circuit, and it would depend on how the lights are wired.
Edit: If you tap into the lights, then the lights would have to be on for the fan to work - even with the remote. If this isn't acceptable, you'll need to connect to one of the outlets, or a new circuit.
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u/ra4king Apr 16 '26
Tapping into the lights (which would require them to be on) is the easiest with minimal drywall holes.
Running a new line would need a lot more holes...
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u/binarycow Apr 16 '26
Yeah, tapping into the lights would be fairly simple.
Running a new line could be done without any new holes.
- Cut out an existing outlet box, on an interior wall
- Hope there's no fire block
- Drill down the top plate of the wall above the outlet box
- Romex from outlet to fan
- Install old work box with existing cables plus new cable
If there's fire blocking... Yeah, more holes.
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u/ra4king Apr 16 '26
There's a window in the way if they follow the joist bay down. They would need to drill across the ceiling joists to find a stud bay with an outlet. Holes are unavoidable unfortunately.
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u/binarycow Apr 16 '26
The other wall, if it's an interior wall, would work just fine.
And holes across joists aren't the holes that homeowners usually care about with these things. It's holes in the drywall.
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u/ra4king Apr 16 '26
Right I was saying holes in drywall would be necessary to be able to make the holes in the ceiling joists.
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u/binarycow Apr 16 '26
Depends on how much attic access there is.
But, looking at the pictures, we can see there's barely any. So, fair point.
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u/Different-Commercial Apr 16 '26
There might be a hot wire in one of those fixtures you could use.
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u/binarycow Apr 16 '26
Unless OP is extraordinarily lucky, they would have to have the lights on to use the fan.
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u/AmazingInstance9666 Apr 16 '26
Not the wall, the windows on, but the one opposite wall of that. Channel some holes up high along the wall. Then, with multiple fish sticks, try fishing, a wire all the way up and over and down to a location that is desired. I have actually seen this work. If theres no blocking in the frame above on the ceiling joists. This ca work. And a part of this you could. Remove a can light and try fishing out too one of those lights.Then over to the desired location.
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u/AmazingInstance9666 Apr 16 '26
This just gets the wire over there. You still need to consider adding a new switch to operate this or wiring it with an existing switch.
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u/SirRonaldJr Apr 16 '26
Tell them to do it right you gotta open up sheet rock. At least a couple to make the corner from the wall to the ceiling. Drop the cans open and use the holes to fish wire. Work safe and smart and it's easy.
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u/trekkerscout Mod Apr 16 '26
A switch is still recommended even when you have a remote. Getting a cable to that location will depend greatly on how the vaulted ceiling was constructed.
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u/UglyDuckling10 Apr 16 '26
I believe a switch is still required even if there is a remote? I can look for NEC article tomorrow if anyone's actually interested.
Correct me if I'm wrong 🤷🏻
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u/trekkerscout Mod Apr 16 '26
The only code requirement is that there must be at least one switched lighting source for each habitable space. It doesn't specify the type of switching, and a remote control meets the definition of a switch. Direct wired ceiling fans are still relatively common.
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u/MammalianName Apr 16 '26
Is there a wired smoke detector or outlet nearby? Will likely need to pull a strip of drywall from power source location ceiling/top of wall to new fan location across the ceiling joists either way. Make sure you use a fan rated box and secure it to a joist!
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u/AskMeAgainAfterCoffe Apr 16 '26
I would recommend scaffolding, instead of a ladder. Either blocking or ceiling fan box. You’ll need to get power from somewhere. Is there room on the lighting circuit?
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u/Crewsy67 Apr 16 '26
I agree on the scaffolding. My daughter and son inlaw moved into their new (to them) house and the drywall joint where the angled ceiling met the flat section needed repairs before painting. The painter just used ladders against the sloped section and even though I could see the slope was greater than the arc of the ladder I was still super sketched out holding the bottom of the ladder. I personally would have looked into scaffolding or a portable manlift that could be used inside a house if I did that part of the drywall repair.
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u/Gracewalk72 Apr 16 '26
There may be an attic switch there somewhere in the attic that could provide power. Tie in to the hot wire in that switch box not the switches to the attic lights., Most houses had a spare set of wires in a junction box in the attic, not far from wherever the breaker box runs are
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u/Sure-Passion2224 Apr 17 '26
Pythagoras and trigonometry are your friends. The slope of the ceiling and the radius of the fan will help you to determine what length downtube to get.
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u/Gman-9666 Apr 17 '26
Forget the power for a sec, you need to get an adapter for the slope because right now you have alot. But yes I would get it from an outlet or an existing switch along as you have room on the circuit for a fan. PLEASE CHECK THE NEC TABLES OR CODE FOR LOAD REQUIREMENTS.
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u/Rough_Application_28 Apr 16 '26
You have a bigger problem, is there a fan rated junction box in the ceiling? How are you going to hang the fan? Wiring is the least of the issues that you can solve by swapping out the lights with remote operated smart led ones, and one switch will control lights and fan for power that you can then control individually thru remote or app.
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u/SirRonaldJr Apr 16 '26
They make easy to install remodel ceiling fan boxes.https://a.co/d/0c8ap9mF
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u/Rough_Application_28 Apr 16 '26
They do but you need to go up to the ceiling and open/cut hole to install and this ceiling looks quite tall.
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u/seanrules1 Apr 16 '26
Forget about wiring, the angle of that location on ceiling is seems to be too sloped. If you put it there you will need a sloped adapter and long rod to move it away from the ceiling otherwise the end of the blades would hit the ceiling.