On Fri, 11 Jan 2013 18:23:42 -0500, RBM wrote:

On 1/11/2013 5:48 PM, mike wrote:
On 1/11/2013 12:48 PM, gary wrote:
I need electricity for a ceiling fan. In my attic, I found an
existing wire that powers a light switch. I want to run a new wire
from the existing wire to the ceiling fan. How do I tap into the
existing wire?

You need to read the electrical code in your jurisdiction, wherever
that is.
Tapping into a wire is trivial. Making it pass inspection may take
more knowledge
than you currently possess. And the thing that trips you up will
seem trivial or even stupid.

A lot depends on your definition of "ceiling fan".

My neighbor came home with a ceiling fan...the bladed
decapitation type.
I read the instructions and suggested he take it back.

According to the instructions, you can't install the fan
into an existing box in the ceiling. You need a box
approved for ceiling fan use. Near as I could tell,
the approved box differed in three areas.
It had a sticker that said, "approved for ceiling fan use".
And a price sticker with a substantially higher price.
And it required opening the ceiling and patching it back up.
I'd hope that there's more of a difference between a standard ceiling
box and a fan support box than just a sticker, price, and necessity to
open the ceiling


Ther IS. The ceiling fan box is designed to support the weight of the
swinging ceiling fan and transfer the weight to the ceiling joists.

He wasn't gonna get a permit or have it inspected. I didn't
want to be party to denial of a fire insurance claim.

This stuff is easy and you can always get away with it...until
you get caught with your house on fire.

Funny story...
About 50 years ago, there was some problem with the window
air conditioner. It got unplugged.
Dad had difficulty getting the plug back into the wall,
but made it happen.
Next day, I was riding my bike home from school.
"Cool, look at all the fire trucks!"
Imagine how my mood changed when I discovered it was MY house.
Point being, simple stuff can cause BIG problems.

And that wasn't the last time I got burned out of my house.
But that's a funny story for a different day.