Thanks! Actually if the power goes to the fan box first, you should use 14-4 or 12-4 so that you have a neutral in the switch box. If the power goes to the switch box first, then 12-3 or 14-3 is indeed sufficient.

What kind of wire do you need for a ceiling fan?

After you’ve shut off the power, run the wire from the electrical panel or other power supply you’ll be using to the fan. Use 14-2 wire, with ground, unless you are tapping into a 20-amp circuit. In this case, all of your wire should be 12-gauge. Run a 14-3 wire with ground from the fan to the switches.

Do ceiling fans need 12 gauge wire?





No Strings Attached



The main obstacle to installing an adjustable switch is the electrical run: Standard lighting or fans require 12-2 wire, and adjustable switches require 12-3 wire (14-gauge wire can also be used).

Can I use 14 2 wire for a ceiling fan?

there is no unbalanced load..the white wires are tied together at the ceiling fan box and switch box..a 14/3 wire would be ok also but two 14/2 wires is acceptable..running two 14/2 cables as you did is good✅ there is no unbalanced loads for they share the same circuit..a unbalanced load occurs at the panel for example …

Can you use 18 gauge wire for a ceiling fan?

Fixtures can use wire as small as 18 awg. If there is not enough room to splice 14 awg, 16 awg wire would work but it cannot be used beyond the box / mount. 402.6 allows 18 minimum size.

Do I need 12 or 14 gauge wire?

A 12-gauge wire is required for an outlet circuit that is regulated by a 20-amp breaker while in a case where an overloading light circuit is not required a 15-amp breaker and 14-gauge wire is necessary.

How many ceiling fans can I run on a 20 amp circuit?





On the other hand, you can run about 20 ceiling fans on a 20 amp circuit. You can complete the wiring by using a 12 gauge wire.

What size electrical wire do I need for a ceiling fan?

For most home ceiling fan wiring the electrical box should have either 14 or 12 gauge solid copper wire in it. 14 gauge wire is for 15 amp 120VAC circuits and 12 gauge wire is for 20 amp 120VAC circuits. The copper wires are sheathed in a cable (Romex Cable) and include a black, white and bare copper wire.

Can you connect 16 gauge wire to 12 gauge?

Strip the 12 gauge wire extra long so it goes all the way through the butt connector with the tip extending just a bit out of the metal barrel. Then insert your 16 gauge wire into the other end so it’s side-by-side with the 12. That’ll give you the build you need for a good crimp.

What is the difference between 12 2 and 12 3 Romex?

A 12-2 Romex will have a black(hot) and a white(neutral) wire as well as an unsheathed copper wire for ground. A 12-3 Romex will have a black(hot), red(hot), white(neutral), and bare copper. The red on a 12-3 is used for three-way light switches which are covered later.

How far can I run 12 2 wire?



You can run a 12 gauge wire up to 70 feet on a 15 amp circuit. That number drops to 50 feet if you run 12 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit.

When would you use a 12 3 wire?

ROMEX® 12/3 wire is used in buildings for circuits that use higher amperage than the standard 20 amps. Most people are not familiar with this type of wire because it is used to hook up heavy-draw appliances such as water heaters and central air conditioning.

What is 4 wire Romex used for?

Four-wire is used for “two-way” circuits, and for cases where two circuits are running to the same place (independent control of a ceiling fan and its lights, for example). In the US color coding conventions, red is the “second hot” needed for these applications.

How do you wire a ceiling fan with 4 wires?




Quote from Youtube video: And light fixture to install connect the green and grounding wires. Together then the white wires. Together. Then connect the fans blue and black wires to the homes black and red wires.

What is the difference between 3-wire and 4-wire?

3-wire is the industry workhorse for good reason. It provides solid accuracy that typically exceeds industrial needs and is the most economical with respect to simplified electronics and less wire (more on this below). 4-wire will give you better accuracy, especially with long wire runs.