Ceiling Fan Glossary of Terms

Balancing Kit - A packet containing a plastic clip and lead weights used to balance a ceiling fan.

Blade(s) - The flat wooden things that move through the air and create air flow. Sometimes called paddles.

Blade Arm - The blade arm is the metal bracket that attaches the blade to the motor.

Blade Pitch - Blade pitch, measured in degrees, is the angle between the fan's blades and the horizon. Generally, the higher the pitch, the more air that is moved, if RPM's are the same.

Canopy - The decorative cover which encloses the mounting bracket.

CFM - Cubic Feet per Minute is a means to measure air flow. The higher the CFM figure, the more air the fan is moving.

Collar Cover - A decorative cover which hides the mounting hardware connecting the fan's downrod to the motor housing.

Damp Location - Fans and light fixtures designed for locations that are susceptible to weather extremes such as abnormally damp or humid conditions. For example, beach front homes, covered verandas, and patios. The outlet box and the fan must be completely covered, and NOT exposed or subjected to water spray or rain.

Downrod - The metal pipe that extends from the ceiling bracket to the top of the fan. Most fans come supplied with a downrod that's 3-5 inches long. Longer downrods are available for high ceilings.

Fitter - The metal part of a light kit which attaches to the fan and contains the light socket(s). Often sold separately from the glass shades.

Hub - See "Switch Housing"

Hugger - A fan style where the motor mounts directly to the ceiling. A hugger fan may be used on a lower ceiling.

Junction Box - See "Outlet Box"

Light Kit - A light fixture that can be attached to the bottom of a fan.

Motor Housing - The decorative body of the fan which encloses the motor.

Mounting Bracket - The device that connects the fan to the ceiling.

Multi-Mount - A multi-mount fan may be hung without the downrod, giving the same effect as a hugger fan, but retaining the more common appearance of a traditional fan. It can also be used on high and sloped (up to 30 degree) ceilings.

Outlet Box - This is the metal box, mounted above the ceiling, where the fan's wires are attached to the house wiring. It is also the point where the fan is attached to the ceiling. Fans should always be hung from boxes that are marked "For Use With Ceiling Fans". Never use plastic boxes for a ceiling fan installation, unless they are marked "For Use With Ceiling Fans".

Paddles - See "Blades"

Remote Control - A remote control device works just like the remote control on your television. It allows you to operate your fan from a remote location without the need to run extra wiring from a wall switch to the fan.

Rotor - The part of the fan's motor that turns.

RPM - Revolutions Per Minute is the number of times per minute that the fan turns. High RPM's don't always mean a lot of air is being moved. Air flow is a combination of fan speed, blade pitch and other factors.

Sealed Bearings - Most modern ceiling fans use two sealed ball bearings (one on top of the motor, one on the bottom) which are permanently lubricated.

Sloped Ceiling Kit - An optional mounting system that allows a fan to be hung from ceilings with pitches above 30 degrees.

Stator - The part of the fan's motor that is stationary.

Switch Housing - The part of the fan, below the motor housing, where the switches are located.

Wall Control - An electrical device which replaces a wall switch and is used to control the fan. A light dimmer is NOT a ceiling fan wall control. A combination fan/light switch is available but requires the running of an additional wire from the switch to the fan.

Wet Location - Fans and light fixtures designed for locations that are susceptable to direct exposure to the elements. They have been subjected to a water spray test by UL (Underwriter's Laboratories). During the test, fans are subjected to water spray in the direction most likely to cause water to enter. When installing a Wet Location fan, the outlet box must be recessed and mounted to the 6" side of a 4" x 6" wooden beam. The outlet box has to be sealed such that no water enters it, and the canopy cannot overhang the beam on either side.