Can I test a ceiling fan before installing?

[radhak]

Just wondering if its possible to do it - some jig or something. Say, by opening up a power-oulet and using wires from there.

[HarmsWay]

If you can figure out a way I'd try it. You could temporarily wire it to an outlet without the blades on. That would be reasonably safe and would tell you if it was completely dead. There can be more subtle problems though. I helped my brother install a fan this past summer. It took three fans from Walmart before we got one that didn't buzz. Good luck!

Bob

[LarryG]

Agree on testing it without the blades.

Easier than opening up an outlet would be to cut the female end off an old extension cord and wire-nutting the fan's leads to those in the cord. Then plug the male end into a wall outlet.

I have also tested things by inserting their stripped wire ends into the female end of the cord, with a wrap of electrical tape applied to hold everything together. Sounds dicey but it works fine if you're careful and remember that such a lash-up should never be used as an actual, working connection.

[LCHIEN]

Larry G describes what we electrical engineers call a suicide cord. So while that sinks in I'll suggest if you didn't know how to do it in the first place then you don't have enough experience to be using one.

Now, have you figured out why its called what it is?

[ironhat]

Why not just connect the wires into a male plug and plug that into an extension cord to avoid the safety traps?

[Tequila]

I've used the wire-nut to an extension cord before, with some extra safety precautions. Run the extension cord into a junction box so that the splice is properly shielded. If you know what you're doing and follow the rules, it can be done safely, for testing purposes only.