Do not rely on a wall switch to protect you from electrical shock.
Install a ceiling fan electrical box.
Electrical box and a ceiling fan wiring hanger bracket family handyman feed the existing wire through the cable clamp in the top of the new metal ceiling fan junction box slip the box over the saddle screws and tighten the nuts to clamp the box to the shaft with a nut driver or a deep well socket.
Pry out the box s mounting nails and pull the box down from the ceiling.
Hold a 1 2 inch thick pancake box against the ceiling centered on a joist and trace around it with a pencil.
Turn off electrical power to the fan at the electrical panel and use an appropriate testing device to ensure no power is present at the light fixture before you begin work.
The family handyman editor in chief gary wentz will show you how to remove an old light and install a ceiling fan brace so you can properly install a new c.
Install a new ceiling fan mounting box.
Feed the electrical cable coming from the ceiling through the knockout hole in the pancake box.
Attach new electrical box.
Pry the tab and pull the cable out.
If the box has a cable clamp remove the locknut.
Hold a vacuum cleaner wand next to the saw to catch the dust.
It can be made of metal or plastic it s usually round and it attaches to a ceiling.
The box shown has a slot that the cable slides through.
Disconnect the cable from the box.