Ceiling Fan With Yellow Wire

ceiling fan yellow wire

I have a ceiling fan with a yellow wire and can’t figure out what it connects to. The switch has a black and red wire and a blue wire (if the fan has a light attached). Is the yellow wire for a fan/light combination or is it just a ground wire?

If your circuit box is a GFCI it will only have the three wires that run to the switch. If it’s a standard switch there will be two wires that come out of the box, black and white. The black wire leads to the fan and the red/blue striped wire leads to the light kit if there is one. If your fan has a light then the red/blue striped wire will also connect to the blue wire from the switch which allows you to control the light and fan with the same wall switches. The yellow wire will be connected to the household ground wire (copper or green).

It may help to get a diagram from the fan’s installation instructions. In any case, be sure to shut off the power at your breaker before you begin. Always work with a partner or friend when working with electricity.

It’s best to use a non-contact voltage tester to test for live wires before making any connections. This is an inexpensive tool that can save you a lot of frustration and potential danger. It’s also a good idea to tape over any wire nuts after you have tightened them. You can pick up a small package of electrical tape in the electrical department at any home improvement store.