Any home would benefit from the installation of a ceiling fan. It not only has a nice appearance and a nice flow of air, but it may also save you electricity all year. The fan pushes warm air down into the living spaces throughout the winter. It pulls warm air upward and away throughout the summer. Despite their technological wonders, many ceiling fans rely on a very low-tech method of control: a chain. And where there’s a chain, there’s certain to be a break.
A typical issue is a broken ceiling fan chain. Even under typical use, a moderate tug on the flimsy beaded metal pull chain can easily shatter it. The good news is that you won’t have to replace the complete ceiling fan or even hire a professional to make this repair. Fixing a broken ceiling fan pull is a cheap, easy, and quick fix that will save you a lot of time and hassle.
Broken Ceiling Fan Chains: Internal vs. External
Ceiling fan chain breakage can be either exterior or internal to the fan housing. The initial repair is straightforward and takes only a few minutes to complete. The second repair is more difficult and often necessitates disassembly.
External
Outside of the fan housing, the ceiling fan chain frequently breaks sometime towards the middle. The break is plainly apparent and approachable. An extension chain can be used to fix this type of break.
Internal
The whole visible piece of the ceiling fan chain falls off when it breaks within the fan housing, and the remaining chain disappears inside the fan housing. This becomes a project to replace the pull chain switch.
Safety Considerations
By turning off the switch on the wall, you may turn off the electricity to the ceiling fan. Locate the circuit breaker that controls the ceiling fan at the electrical service panel and turn it off. After you’ve opened the ceiling fan casing, use a voltage tester to double-check that the power is turned off.
When working on the ladder, exercise caution. Hire a personal assistant to support you.
You’ll Need
Tools / Equipment
- a 6-foot stairwell
- Tester for voltage
- Stripper for wires
- Screwdriver (manual)
- Pliers are a type of tool that is used (if needed)
- a supple rag (if needed)
Materials
- Pull chain switch kit or pull chain extender
- Nuts for electrical wire
8 steps to fix a cleiling fan chain
1. Repair an External Ceiling Fan Chain Break
You only need to install a ceiling fan chain extender if the remaining ceiling fan chain on the ceiling fan reaches at least 1/2-inch out of the fan housing. This is the ideal option if you have enough existing chain to work with.
Connect the extension to the remaining ceiling fan chain and snap the end of the chain into the connection by pushing forcefully.
If there is no ceiling fan chain visible, the pull within the ceiling fan has most likely broken near or inside the ceiling fan pull switch. Proceed to the following step if this is the case.
2. Take the Metal Collar off.
Remove the metal collar that the ceiling fan cord should pass through. To begin, try rotating the collar counterclockwise using your fingers. If it doesn’t work, put a soft cloth around the metal collar to protect it and the fan housing.
3. Open the Ceiling Fan Base
Remove all of the ceiling fan’s light bulbs. Remove the screws securing the detachable bottom piece of the ceiling fan motor base from the ceiling fan motor base with a manual screwdriver. Remove the screws and set them away. Pull the detachable part gently away from the body. Leave it tethered to the ceiling fan’s base by its cords.
4. Pull out the Pull Chain Switch
The ceiling fan chain switch may be found here. It should be a compact plastic item with a clear side, if possible. The damaged pull may even be seen within the switch unit. Pull this down with care. Three or four wires are commonly used to connect it to the fan.
Warning: Repairing the pull chain switch is not a good idea. Instead, it’s faster and safer to toss out the old switch and install a new one. Pull switch kits for ceiling fans are affordable and widely accessible online.
5. Cut the Wires to the Ceiling Fan Chain Switch
Cut the three or four wires that connect the ceiling fan chain switch to the ceiling fan base with the wire stripper’s cutting part. To make reinstalling the new pull chain switch easier, leave at least 2 inches of wire connected to the ceiling fan base.
6. Attach the New Pull Switch to the Ceiling Fan
Attach the three or four wires of the new ceiling fan chain pull switch to the fan’s wires after removing the plastic off the wires to reveal the copper wire. Twist the wires together. A plastic wire nut completes each connection.
Pro tip: Make sure the wiring from the old switch matches the wire from the new switch.
7. Thread the Pull Chain Through the Hole
Replace the pull chain switch in the ceiling fan base gently. Pull the pull chain through the housing’s hole.
8. Reassemble the ceiling fan and test it
Hand-tighten the metal collar. The lowest portion of the ceiling fan should be reattached. Any light bulbs can be used. Restart the circuit breaker and any wall switches if necessary. Pull on the ceiling fan pull gently to test the fan.
Replacing a Pull Chain Switch
If you’re not experienced with wiring, fixing a switch is a little more difficult than changing a pull chain. If that isn’t a problem, turn off the power, fetch a pair of wire strippers, and prepare for a trip to the hardware store.
To begin, you must disconnect the switch from the wire. Most of the time, you may simply twist the wire caps off the switch and disconnect it from the fan. At this stage, we strongly advise taking a close look at the wiring or even snapping a photo with your phone to use as a reference when you reinstall.
If you have your ceiling fan’s manual, you may be able to find the component number and purchase it online. A trip to the hardware shop, on the other hand, is faster, and a helpful employee can assist you in swiftly identifying the part you require. If the wires aren’t pre-prepped, you’ll need to remove a small portion of insulation from the ends of the cables once you’ve found the right switch.
Reattach the wiring to the old wires by twisting them together with your fingers while holding the new switch. Cover the ends with a wire nut or twist connection to prevent a short, then replace the replacement switch in the housing. Reassemble the fan by reattaching the fixture nut that holds it in place and following the instructions mentioned above.
Conclusion
To repair a broken chain on a ceiling fan, you don’t need an electrician’s license, but you should be cautious and take your time. Before dealing with any wiring difficulties in your house, make sure the power is turned off, and if in doubt, get a competent expert to handle the wiring.
Now, you may be fix ceiling fan chain broke.
Kanoe.info wishes you the best of luck!
