"KOS" wrote in message
oups.com...
Hi, I am attempting to connect a new ceiling fan to
an older house.
There was a ceiling fan here but it isnt working. The
fan that I will
install has no light.

As the wires are very old its hard to tell which is
white and which is
red.

Is there a test that I can do to tell which is which?
red or black?
Thanks


Yes, if you have a multimeter there are a few different
ways. But, I have to ask:
-- Do the wires have cloth insulation? If so, it
might be deteriorating to the point of becoming a
serious problem. Messing with it can bring about those
problems just by a tug here and a push there.
I only ask because it's common in old houses to find
substandard wiring like that. Been there, had it,
exchanged it. ANYway, on to your question:

-- Black is supposed to be the "hot" wire, the one
that carries 120V ac. Current comes from the mains box
thru it.
-- White is supposed to be the neutral wire; no
voltage shows on it, in general. Current returns to
the mains box thru it.

You don't give an experience level, so please realize
it can be VERY dangerous, even DEADLY working on
electrical wires without the requisite knowledge of
electricity. IT's no skin off my nose if you kill
yourself or maim yourself into a vegetable, but your
family or friends might care.

Get a cheap multi-meter from Radio Shack or wherever,
that will measure ohms and volts ac.

If there's a wall switch to the fan, turn it ON.
With the wire leads on and the wire ends exposed,
measure between each wire and earth ground, the "third"
wire or conduit or whatever supplies it.
If there is no third wire or conduit or ... , stop.
You cannot safely install a fan. I've no more to say
because it cannot be done safely.

If there is a third wire, measure between each of the
two exposed wires to the earth ground
wire/conduit/whatever.
The "black" wire will show 120V ac to it.
The "white" wire will show zero or very close to 0
Vac. At the 120V ac scale, it'll show zero but you
might see some small voltage if you've set the scale
lower or it's an auto-ranging meter. As long as it's
nearly zero, that's probably OK.
If you should see between, say, 45V and 120V on it,
then STOP. Something is wrong. Nothing more can be
done by the neophyte.

Best bet would be to call an electrician or someone in
the business who is licensed to do electric work. That
way, with a house that old, if the wiring happens to
also be that old, it'll get noticed and you'll be told
about it.
It is never a good idea to work on electric
circuitry if you don't nkow anything about it. The
most general rule is NEVER let both hands/arms get near
any of the wires. Electricity can kill in a few
sixteenths of a second.

HTH,

Pop