Any Electricians?

[CYDJ]

CYDJ - Thanks for the comments. A couple of things to clarify.

1. A fan was previously installed, now switching to just a light fixture. So really no need for the fan switch at all and am just going to remove the hot connection from that switch all together.
2. Yes the yellow circle is supposed to be the light fixture.
3. I can confirm that there is only one set of wires running to the switch box. It has a ground, neutral, hot, and red. The red does go into the light box, but it is capped with a wire nut.
4. Looks like it was setup to be a switch loop, so probably need to make sure it is set up the right way, which it is definitely not currently.
5. I will try to snap a couple of photos later today. I think I at least have an idea of how it should be wired now as a switch loop though.

Thanks for your help so far trying to get this figured out.

OK, huge difference here. If I remember you had a red wire coming out of the fan switch and not the switch loop. That makes a LOT more sense and something just got messed up along the way.

You posted a new picture and you are almost correct. (I also want to state I do not know the ACTUAL code on this), but I think your qualified electrician should:

1) shut off the power before doing anything
2) disconnect the neutral of the switch loop from the main neutral in the fixture box
3) trim the neutral back to its insulation (so there is no bare wire showing in length), put a wire nut on it and tape it with electrical tape in both the fixture and switch boxes.
4) hook it up as you have shown. (Note: IF there is a hot side of the switch, it will be a bronze color compared to the silverish colored screws for the other ones. If that is there, hook the black up to it. if they are all the same, no need to distinguish between them.)
5) Note: if the switch box or fixture box is metal make sure they bond them with the ground as well. (They should know this, but I have seen it missed before.)

 

[clone4life82]

Dad, is this fan supposed to glow and throw off sparks?
Honey, relax, I got an electrical engineering degree at EIU.

Edited for accuracy…

 

[Pat]

Ha. Well I am wanting to be generous to get it done. Electrical is not something I am going to take a shot at, and those Ive spoken to are too busy or its not a big enough deal for them to make the time.

I understand the hesitancy, but unless there’s a firebreak (horizontal 2x4), you (I mean YOUR ELECTRICIAN) need a blue plastic old-work box, a few feet of 12/2 Romex, outlet and cover plate, screwdriver, drywall saw (or steak knife), and a wire stripper (or pliers and some patience). Unless you take the cover off and see a rat’s nest of wires in the box, this is an easy way to get your feet wet (AFTER flipping the breaker) and save a few bucks. Before you know it, you’ll be on CF asking for ceiling fan help!

 

[CYDJ]

I understand the hesitancy, but unless there’s a firebreak (horizontal 2x4), you (I mean YOUR ELECTRICIAN) need a blue plastic old-work box, a few feet of 12/2 Romex, outlet and cover plate, screwdriver, drywall saw (or steak knife), and a wire stripper (or pliers and some patience). Unless you take the cover off and see a rat’s nest of wires in the box, this is an easy way to get your feet wet (AFTER flipping the breaker) and save a few bucks. Before you know it, you’ll be on CF asking for ceiling fan help!

Well... Besides the firebreak, IF it is an outside wall, they could run into insulation, which can be a pain in the behind. But a fishing stick should help. (something the electrician would have too.) ha!

 

[Cyclone06]

I understand the hesitancy, but unless there’s a firebreak (horizontal 2x4), you (I mean YOUR ELECTRICIAN) need a blue plastic old-work box, a few feet of 12/2 Romex, outlet and cover plate, screwdriver, drywall saw (or steak knife), and a wire stripper (or pliers and some patience). Unless you take the cover off and see a rat’s nest of wires in the box, this is an easy way to get your feet wet (AFTER flipping the breaker) and save a few bucks. Before you know it, you’ll be on CF asking for ceiling fan help!

Thanks for the nudge but man I am hesitant. Funny thing is with some assistance I have done multiple ceiling fan replacements.