A ceiling fan.
If your ceiling fan stops working and you're fairly certain the fan itself isn't the problem, the next likely culprit is the wall switch. Switches work by interrupting power to the fan, and if a switch goes bad the result will be either that the fan won't turn on or it won't turn off. If it won't turn off, there's no doubt the problem is a bad switch, and you can jump right to Step 5. If the fan won't come on, there are a few other possible causes that you should check first.
Instructions
1. Make sure the fan hasn't just been turned off by a switch on the unit itself. If not, then check the circuit breaker or fuse to see if it's dead. If that's the problem, then turn the circuit breaker back on or replace the fuse; if not, proceed to Step 2.
2. Turn off the power at the circuit break or fuse box that serves the fan. Use your screwdriver to take off the wall switch plate. Test the switch to make sure it's dead by sticking the two prongs of your current tester along the side of the switch, where the two wires are attached. The tester should confirm there's no power.
3. Remove the screws that are holding the switch to the electrical box and pull it out from the wall (but still wired). Visually inspect the switch and the electrical box for signs of black burn marks or damage. If there is obvious damage, skip to Step 5. If there's no obvious damage, proceed to Step 4.
4. Test whether the circuit is getting power by bypassing the switch. Do this by removing the two black wires that are attached to the switch and connecting the wires to one another, using a wire nut and wrapping the connection in electrical tape. (Note: Never connect differently colored wires to one another.) Turn the power back on at the fuse box and see if the fan comes on. If the fan comes on then the problem is a bad switch and you can proceed to Step 5. If the fan doesn't come on, it means the fuse or circuit breaker is bad (even if it doesn't appear to be) and must be replaced.
5. Replace the switch, if the problem isn't the circuit. First double check that the power is turned off at the circuit box. Remove the damaged old switch by unscrewing the wires that are attached to it.
6. Attach the new switch to the existing wires, putting them in the same configuration as they were on the old switch (generally, two black wires connected to two receptor screws on the switch, and one bare copper grounding wire connected to a green grounding screw on the switch). Cover all connections with electrician's tape.
7. Turn on the power and test the switch to make sure it works. If so, turn the power off again and install the switch over the electrical box, tucking the wires inside and mounting the switch with the provided screws. Turn the power back on.
Tags: , circuit breaker, proceed Step, black wires, obvious damage, power back