Help wiring ceiling fan. Amateur!

fredo · Nov 10, 2016

Hi Chaps. I am putting in a ceiling fan. My electric skills are basic. I have 3 sets of wires in my ceiling. 3 lives, 3 neutrals (one is the switched live) 3 earths. The fan has 2 lives, 1 neutral and 1 earth. The fan has a 3 hole terminal block. I will be using the wall switch to turn the fan on/off. How do i wire these together? It is the 3 hole terminal block and the switched live i cannot get my head around? Thanks....

uksrevivor · Nov 10, 2016

Hi and welcome
A little more information is needed i think other than ceiling fan? where is it going i.e bathroom is it an extractor fan you mean or a ceiling fan in the living room that has a light as well. It will also depend on weather it will be classed as notifiable work if it is then you are probably better contacting an electrician.
This post might need moving to D.I.Y section

fredo · Nov 10, 2016

uksrevivor said:
Hi and welcome
A little more information is needed i think other than ceiling fan? where is it going i.e bathroom is it an extractor fan you mean or a ceiling fan in the living room that has a light as well. It will also depend on weather it will be classed as notifiable work if it is then you are probably better contacting an electrician.
This post might need moving to D.I.Y section

Hi. It is a ceiling fan with light in my spare bedroom. I dont know what you mean by notifiable work? Cheers.

Octopus · Nov 10, 2016

Do you mean a light with a fan with blades? Or a fan in the ceiling ceiling extracting to the outside?

westward10 · Nov 10, 2016

A punkah fan

Pat H · Nov 10, 2016

Certain areas of homes are considered "special" in terms of electrical work because the potential risk of shock is higher. But a bedroom isn't such a room.
Its possible the two lives into the fan are for the fan and the light. But it should have instructions and its best an electrician installs it for you to be sure its safe.

westward10 · Nov 10, 2016

Post a pic of it.

telectrix · Nov 10, 2016

wire as if it was just a normal light.thefan is controlled by the dangly bits. 3 speed and off.

uksrevivor · Nov 10, 2016

westward10 said:
Post a pic of it.

Definitely the best way its a bit confusing as the OP states it has a 3 way terminal block but states it has 2 lives ? 1 neutral and 1 earth so i count that as 4 but might be wrong?

fredo · Nov 10, 2016

uksrevivor said:
Definitely the best way its a bit confusing as the OP states it has a 3 way terminal block but states it has 2 lives ? 1 neutral and 1 earth so i count that as 4 but might be wrong?

The fan has two lives, one for the light and one for the fan (i am guessing). All lives go together, all neutrals together and all earths together but where does the switch wire go?

Pat H · Nov 10, 2016

No if you connect the light live to the fan live you will either haver fan and light on all the time unswitched or if connected to the switched live both fan and light will come on with the light switch.
Using the pull cords for the light isn't normally practical as you have to find the cord in the dark.
Assuming the assembly has an independent pull switch for the fan and possibly the light.
You'd connect the fan live to the supply live and the light live to the switched live.
I'd then pull the light cord and leave it on all the time (even remove or shorten the cord)
Use the light switch by the door to turn the light on and off and the pull cord on the assembly to just start the fan.
But as this involves the electrics and the risk of shock you need to be competent to do it safely.

westward10 · Nov 10, 2016

Have you done the obvious a read the instructions.

fredo · Nov 10, 2016

I bought the fan years ago it has been fitted previously but the switch wasn't connected. So instructions have been binned!

fredo · Nov 10, 2016

Pat H said:
No if you connect the light live to the fan live you will either haver fan and light on all the time unswitched or if connected to the switched live both fan and light will come on with the light switch.
Using the pull cords for the light isn't normally practical as you have to find the cord in the dark.
Assuming the assembly has an independent pull switch for the fan and possibly the light.
You'd connect the fan live to the supply live and the light live to the switched live.
I'd then pull the light cord and leave it on all the time (even remove or shorten the cord)
Use the light switch by the door to turn the light on and off and the pull cord on the assembly to just start the fan.
But as this involves the electrics and the risk of shock you need to be competent to do it safely.

Thanks Pat H. So i connect the live wires to live and neutral to neutral, earth to earth and the light live to the switched live? So the fan should really come with a 4block connector and not a 3?

Midwest · Nov 10, 2016

I'm not shy, I've hit the report button. Too many of these DIY post coming through to the main forum. We have no idea of the OP's expertise, he could be putting himself in danger.

Pat H · Nov 10, 2016

Yes you need a 4 way to have separate live for fan and light.

But as I've said before you need to be competent to undertake such work to ensure you and it are safe.

uksrevivor · Nov 10, 2016

Thanks Midwest I didnt know how it was done i posted it may get moved to DIY but didnt know how to get it moved many thanks m8 I will remember it for the future.

uksrevivor · Nov 10, 2016

Thanks Midwest I didnt know how it was done i posted it may get moved to DIY but didnt know how to get it moved many thanks m8 I will remember it for the future.

GMES · Nov 10, 2016

fredo said:
Hi Chaps. I am putting in a ceiling fan. My electric skills are basic. I have 3 sets of wires in my ceiling. 3 lives, 3 neutrals (one is the switched live) 3 earths. The fan has 2 lives, 1 neutral and 1 earth. The fan has a 3 hole terminal block. I will be using the wall switch to turn the fan on/off. How do i wire these together? It is the 3 hole terminal block and the switched live i cannot get my head around? Thanks....

You state your knowledge is basic so please seek the services of a Competent Electrician, I am sure we will have a member close to your location who would do this for a minimal fee, it isn't worth the time in A&E if it goes wrong.
Members please be careful of what information you hand out to anybody attempting diy with electrics.

GMES · Nov 10, 2016

Pat H said:
No if you connect the light live to the fan live you will either haver fan and light on all the time unswitched or if connected to the switched live both fan and light will come on with the light switch.
Using the pull cords for the light isn't normally practical as you have to find the cord in the dark.
Assuming the assembly has an independent pull switch for the fan and possibly the light.
You'd connect the fan live to the supply live and the light live to the switched live.
I'd then pull the light cord and leave it on all the time (even remove or shorten the cord)
Use the light switch by the door to turn the light on and off and the pull cord on the assembly to just start the fan.
But as this involves the electrics and the risk of shock you need to be competent to do it safely.

this is twice in as many days now Pat that you have tried to give step by step instructions to someone who clearly isn't an electrician, whilst I admire your kind nature, do you really want to be the one that gets someone injured.

GMES · Nov 10, 2016

Op can you see a nameplate on the fan with a model number etc, If so with the power off take a picture and post it up and see if a local member can get round and help you out.

sparksburnout · Nov 10, 2016

GMES said:
Op can you see a nameplate on the fan with a model number etc, If so with the power off take a picture and post it up and see if a local member can get round and help you out.

Ah excellent you hairy devil.

fredo · Nov 10, 2016

Pat H said:
Yes you need a 4 way to have separate live for fan and light.

But as I've said before you need to be competent to undertake such work to ensure you and it are safe.

Thanks Pat, i will proceed with caution, i appreciate the info!

fredo · Nov 10, 2016

WOW! Some of you need to chill! I have a circuit breaker fitted, if i wire things incorrectly then it trips. I cant afford a sparky to come out as work is slack at the minute and the coffers are empty. Better that i get some expert advice than reading a load of rubbish on the net and giving myself a 240V shock!

GMES · Nov 10, 2016

fredo said:
WOW! Some of you need to chill! I have a circuit breaker fitted, if i wire things incorrectly then it trips. I cant afford a sparky to come out as work is slack at the minute and the coffers are empty. Better that i get some expert advice than reading a load of rubbish on the net and giving myself a 240V shock!

Read the bit I have highlighted, isn't that exactly what you're doing now, Trusting the word of someone on the net,as for chilling out , I am chilled but As a Moderator I have to monitor the advice that is given out by our members.
Re- being unable to afford a sparky, that can be quite insulting to a member that you don't want to pay them but expect them to talk you through the job for free. You may be surprised at how affordable it would be to get someone in, after all no offense but that job would take me approx 10 minutes to sort and that would include a cup of tea and an Hobnob.

sparksburnout · Nov 10, 2016

fredo said:
WOW! Some of you need to chill! I have a circuit breaker fitted, if i wire things incorrectly then it trips. I cant afford a sparky to come out as work is slack at the minute and the coffers are empty. Better that i get some expert advice than reading a load of rubbish on the net and giving myself a 240V shock!

Hi Fredo. With the greatest respect, no, we don't need to chill. You have stated your electrical knowledge is basic, you are therefore dabbling with something that could kill you. What would you do if you needed a new gas appliance fitting, would you say "I can't afford a gas-safe plumber, I will have a go myself"? A lot of sparky's charge very reasonable rates, and if you choose one wisely then you will get a good job done and no risk. This is not something that you should try and do via an idiots guide, even if that is the impression some on here will give you.

GMES · Nov 10, 2016

I think it is time to put this thread to bed, I don't like the idea of the op having a go at something that could end in disaster, Op please take my advice and get someone in to sort this and please feel free to pm a member that is close to your location.
Thanks for everyone's input.