What does the red wire do when a ceiling fan is installed? The red wire is the ungrounded (hot wire) conductor of one switch, while the black wire is the ungrounded (hot wire) conductor of the other switch. One switch would energize the red wire in the original installation, causing the fan to turn on.
What do I connect the red wire to?
The answer is that the Red Wire is the Hot Wire from the switch itself. You are wiring your fixture into a junction box where buku wires come together. Hook the white to white, ground to ground and RED to the BLACK Light Fixture Wires. The other conglomeration of black wires does not connect directly to your fixture.Sep 22, 2001
What is the red wire for in a ceiling fan wiring?
For the light to be controlled by a switch that's separate from the fan, the wiring between the switch and the fan unit needs a fourth conductor, a red wire to carry the hot feed for the light kit. Turn off the circuit breaker at the breaker panel that provides power to the ceiling fan circuit.
Can I just cap off the red wire?
2 Answers. Nope, can't do it. Code absolutely requires a wall switch in the room that works. There's a variance that lets you have that wall switch operate a receptacle, and then you're supposed to plug in a floor lamp and leave it switched on 24x7 at the lamp (or just remove the switch knob; that's what I do).Apr 29, 2020
How do you wire a ceiling with a red wire?
Connect the green wire to the household ground wire (copper/bare wire). Connect your white wires together and secure with wire nut. Connect the red wire in the ceiling to the black wire in the light kit and the black wire in the ceiling to the black wire in the fan. Tuck the wires back into the box.
Why do I have a red wire in my ceiling light?
The exact purpose of a red wire for a light fixture can vary. Except in rare cases, it is a hot wire or a switched hot wire. ... If turning the switch off turns the wire off, the red wire delivers power from the light switch. Note: Never touch wires or their connection points while the circuit is energized.
What do I do with red wire from ceiling?
A red wire up in the ceiling fan junction box usually indicates that the wiring has been installed which provides separate switch for the light and a separate switch for the fan motor. If your ceiling fan does not have a light fixture, then simply cap off the red wire and attach the fan motor to the black wire.
Can I leave the red wire alone?
4 Answers. Absolutely do not leave the wires alone wrapped in electrical tape. Electrical tape does not have enough longevity to safely protect the exposed leads and can create a hazard in the future. ... The polite thing to do for your future self or future owner of your home would be to connect the blue and red wires.
Why does my ceiling light have a red wire?
The exact purpose of a red wire for a light fixture can vary. Except in rare cases, it is a hot wire or a switched hot wire. ... If turning the switch off turns the wire off, the red wire delivers power from the light switch. Note: Never touch wires or their connection points while the circuit is energized.