Ceiling Fans With Lights Problems

Ceiling Fans With Lights Problems

Mounting A Pot Rack To A Ceiling

I recently bought a ceiling mounted pot-rack for my kitchen. I researched the Internet and other resources to find a mounting procedure. The pot rack I bought has installation and assembly instructions, as do most pot-racks. However, the directions do not explain how to physically mount the pot-rack to the ceiling, or specifically recommend a junction box that can handle the load of the pot-rack.

Normally I would not be that concerned about this, such as, I have a fan in my kitchen that is mounted to a ceiling junction box and I have had no problems with the installation. That is, it has not shown any signs of failing. Moreover, I replaced the fan about every 6 years and never had a problem,

But a pot-rack weighs significantly more than a fan, and I was concerned that the junction box for the fan would not hold a pot-rack. I asked the salesman in the store from where I bought it how do I mount the pot rack to the ceiling, they told me they weren't sure. I asked several electrical contractors about what they would do, one electrical contractor was very helpful and gave the help I needed.

He suggested I use a special mounting bracket that has an adjustable rod that fits between two joists, the rod has threads in it and when the rod is turn it will expand or contract to fit between joists 16 to 24 in apart. There are claw like ends on the rod, as the rod expands the claws grab on the joists. Please use appropriate instructions. In my case I have 16" spacing. He said that these are available at home improvement stores located in the fan section. The nice thing about these mounting brackets is that you don't need to go up in an attic to install it, provided that power is available and accessible.

I found several models of this type. Some looked stronger than others. The prices ranged from 10 -20 dollars. The important thing to look for is the weight capacity of the mounting bracket. The average weight of a hanging pot rack is about 34- 80 pounds. Check the manufacturer for the actual weight. Usually the box that the pot-rack came in will not show the weight. My pot rack weighed 35.7 pounds, the rating on the mounting bracket was 120 pounds with a ceiling joist of 16 inches.

Locating where to hang the pot rack: Place the pot-rack center over the center of the area of where it will hang. Place some masking tape on a counter where the center of the pot-rack is to hang and make mark on the tape. Use a plumb bob to find the spot on the ceiling that lined up with the mark on the counter. This point on the ceiling will be the center the junction box.

Making the hole in the ceiling: Prior the making a whole for mounting bracket verify that the joists are in a position such that it would not interfere with center position of the pot rack and the bracket. Otherwise the center point will need to be moved to another location. Find an acceptable location, cut a 4 inch diameter hole in the ceiling using the marked point on the ceiling as the center point.

Warning "Shock hazard" remember to turn off the circuit that powers the fan. Check to see if a voltage is not present using a volt meter or other device. There may be other circuits in the ceiling that are not part of the ceiling fan circuit. To verify this, you may need to go up in the attic to see what is physically there.

If you are removing the ceiling fan.Remove the ceiling fan and used the power wires to power the lights on the Pot rack (optional). Install the mounting bracket through the ceiling wall board (follow the directions on the package). Snake the power wire from the fan over to mounting bracket. Connect the wires to the pot-rack lights using wire nuts, be sure to use the appropriate grounding points. Turn power back on to the circuit. Test that the lights on the pot-rack are working using the switch that will turn them off and on. Attach the pot-rack to the mounting bracket. Finish assembling the pot-rack as instructed. Repair the hole in the ceiling where the fan was. If all is fine, you are good to go.

Be sure to follow all local and federal electrical codes. If you are not sure, I suggest using a licensed electrical contractor.

http://hubpages.com/hub/Using-a-Voltage-Tester

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Electrical problems with ceiling fan?

I installed a ceiling fan. Everything is hooked up properly. Green wires from fan with bare copper from ceiling. White from fan with white from ceiling and black from ceiling hooked up with black and black wire with white stripe from fan. Turned on power and heard pop (short I imagine) Checked wires and all is good. At this point I am not getting any power at my ceiling now which I had before. Bought new switch hooked it up turned power on and again heard a pop. What should I do? My wireing is good there is no loose wires any where. I have installed many fans and never had a problem. When it makes a pop sound it trips the breaker. Everything that is hooked up to the breaker works fine. I have power at my light switch. Could this possibly be a bad fan? Please let me know

Is the popping sound coming from the junction box or the fan ?

I would be 100% sure that there is either damaged insulation on one of the hot wires, or you have compressed a wire between metal surfaces.

Popping sound usually indicated that there is arcing, so somewhere should be burned evidence.

If the switch is popping, then you have connected a hot wire to a neutral or ground. Again, it could be the feed wire insulation damage when you were hooking up the wires.

OR

The white wire in the junction box, is actually the hot wire.

Disconnect the fan, and determine which wire is hot, with a meter or sensor.

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