Installing a Ceiling Fan With a Swag Kit

Swag kits allow you to power your ceiling fan from a nearby wall receptacle. It’s basically a long extension cord that flows from the ceiling fan’s canopy down to the outlet, where it gets plugged in. The electrical cord is run through a linked chain, which is hung on hooks in the ceiling to keep the cord out of the path of the fan’s spinning blades. Installation is simple and in no time, you’ll be relaxing in your living room, caressed by the cooling breeze of your ceiling fan. Here’s how to install a ceiling fan with a swag kit.

Step 1 - The Hanging Bracket

Because your ceiling fan is not going to be installed to a mounting bracket inside the ceiling, it is extremely important that the hanging bracket is screwed directly into a ceiling joist. This is the only way you can support the weight of the fan. Find the centermost ceiling joist in the room, measure out the center point and screw the hanging bracket to that joist.

Step 2 - Assemble the Fan

Assemble the ceiling fan as per the instructions that came from the manufacturer.

Step 3 - Place the Fan on the Bracket

Lift the ceiling fan and hang it on the hanging bracket.

Step 4 - Thread the Wire

If the swag kit does not have the wire already threaded through the chain, you will have to manually do it. Weave the wire in between links to keep the wire from hanging loose in spots. This will not only help to keep the wire safe, but it will look much cleaner as well.

Step 5 - Connect the Wires

Make your wire connections between the fan and the power cord. The electrical cord consists of a hot and a neutral. Split the cord into two wires and strip ¾” of insulation from the ends of each wire. Depending on the swag kit, the wires may be different in color; one may be darker than the other. If so, connect the darker wire with the black ceiling fan wire and the lighter cord wire to the white ceiling fan wire. Cap each pair with wire connectors.

Step 6 - Install the Ceiling Hooks

Install the ceiling hooks in a direct line toward the outlet you will be using. The distance between the hooks depends on the distance between the fan and the wall. Make sure that the wire is not hanging too low between hooks. When you install a hook, hang a link of chain on it to view your progress.

Step 7 - Install the Canopy

Install the canopy on the ceiling fan. Make sure that no wires are sticking out from under the canopy, other than the swag line.

Step 8 - Plug it In

Insert the swag line plug into the electrical outlet and pull the chain in your ceiling fan to test it out.

Swag kits not only make installing your own ceiling fan a quick and easy job, but they also allow you the flexibility of quickly moving the fan to another part of the home if you feel the need.

Dave Donovan is a freelance copywriter living in Atco, N.J. An electrician for 15 years, an injury forced him to pursue his true passion—writing.