On Thu, 21 Aug 2008 15:14:58 -0400, metspitzer
wrote:

On Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:35:30 -0700 (PDT), Mash
wrote:

We have a large family/living room area and I want to put two ceiling
fans in this area. So the fans will be on the same floor about 25 feet
apart or so.

I'm going to add a new circuit for these fans/lights. I'm comfortable
with the electrical wiring part of the job but I'm not actually sure
how to run the wire.

The room in question is on the 1st floor. Above that is the 2nd floor
with our bedrooms, Above the 2nd is an attic.
How do I run the wire through the 1st floor ceiling? Obviously I have
to cut a hole in the ceiling where the lights will be mounted. Do I
also have to cut holes in the ceiling so I could drill a hole in the
joists and run the wire through them?

To complicate things we have a ceiling with a popcorn finish so I
don't know how hard it will be to patch any holes I make. I'd like to
minimize the destruction to my ceilings...my wife would appreciate
that too
Thanks

I am sure you will get many answers.

If it were me, I would cut a 14-16 inch wide piece of sheet rock out
between the two fixtures. Leave half of the sheet rock overlapping
the end studs so you will have something to screw the end pieces of
rock too.

There may be many methods that you can "try" to keep from making such
a large hole, but opening the entire ceiling between the fixtures will
prevent any surprises you may run into.

http://i37.tinypic.com/5u3j3s.png
Joists in yellow. Fixture box in yellow. Opening in black.

BTW it would be a much easier project if you can get the feed from an
existing ceiling box.

Make sure you use ceiling boxes designed for ceiling fans.