Repairs Your Ceiling Fan May Need To Get It Working
If you have a ceiling fan that no longer works, the problem could be in the fan or with the electrical wiring. Since working around electricity can be dangerous, you may want to call an electrician to determine the problem. Have a new fan on standby so the electrician can replace the old fan during the same visit if it is broken. Here are some reasons your ceiling fan might not be working and what kind of repairs could be needed.
Problems Inside The Fan
It's possible the wiring and electricity are fine going into the fan and the problem is inside the fan itself. This is the first thing the electrician checks because that determines how the work will proceed. The fan might be old, clogged with dust, have loose wiring, or have some other problem that keeps it from working. If the problem is isolated in the fan, you can replace it or have it repaired. Unless it happens to be an expensive fan, it's probably cheaper and quicker just to have a new fan installed.
Problems With The Electrical Supply
If the electrician tests the electricity at the fan and determines there is no power, then it's time to track down the problem in the electrical system. It could be a loose connection or a problem with the switch. The electrician may check a few places along the circuit to isolate the problem. A wiring connection to the fan might be loose or a wire could be bad from the fan to the switch. The switch itself may need to be replaced, but if there is no electricity to the switch either, then the problem is either in the electric panel or the wiring to the switch.
The circuit that supplies power to the fan probably supplies power to other things in your home, too, such as lights and outlets. If those have power, then the electrical panel is probably okay. If the entire circuit is out, then the electrician may need to put in a new breaker or make repairs to the panel. Repairing a ceiling fixture that doesn't work requires detective work since many things could be to blame. Repairs could be as simple as tightening a connection or as complex as repairing an electrical panel.
When you have a fixture or outlet that no longer works, it could signal a more serious problem with your electrical system that should be repaired for your safety. It's best to have an electrical problem diagnosed and repaired so your home is safe from fire and you're not at risk of an electrical shock.
Contact a service, like McDonald Electric, for more help.