Guide to: Ceiling fan extension drop rods
The installation height is a decisive factor regarding a ceiling fan’s efficiency in terms of cooling, ventilation and heat recovery (reverse winter mode). If the unit is mounted too high, you might not be able to achieve any results despite a powerful motor. That is where extension rods come into play.
Contents:
- Standard drop rod
- When do you need an extension rod?
- Long wiring looms for ceiling fans?
- Controllers and lighting
- Special case TDA ceiling fan
- Extension rods and wobbling
- Installing the extension rod
Standard drop rod
All ceiling fans except hugger style models are supplied with a standard drop rod. This metal rod is installed between the canopy and the motor housing. It prevents resonating vibration noise on the ceiling and ensures smooth operation.
Some models come with longer rods with up to 46cm length, others feature shorter rods. Generally speaking all rooms with more than 3m height (e.g. old buildings, hotels, flats, attics) require a special extension rod if the one supplied in the box is too short.
Hugger-mount ceiling fans have a shorter overall depth and are suitable for rooms with low ceilings. The motor housing is mounted directly to the ceiling, there is no intermediate rod. Seeing that the space between fan blades and ceiling decreases considerably, the blades cannot take in as much air from the sides. Hugger fans therefore provide less airflow than standard ceiling fans. For that reason we recommend using a fan with a rod in rooms with normal ceiling height.
When do you need an extension rod?
A ceiling fan should not exceed a distance of 3 metres between floor and blades. Ideally, the blades are hanging somewhere between 2.5 to 3m above the ground. This is to ensure optimum performance in summer and winter mode. If the fan is too close to the ceiling it is not able to circulate and take in as much air from underneath. Like the name suggest, a longer drop rod drops the fan further down into the room. The rod is installed between the motor housing and ceiling mount and increases the gap between the ceiling and the blades (not the size of the actual motor housing).
Oftentimes brands we are working with offer appropriate rods for their models. These items are not only a perfect match in terms of diameter and drilled holes, but also in colour. In addition, we also offer a variety of standard extension rods in different colours, diameters and lengths that are compatible with almost all current brands.
In the summer you might want cool air in all levels of the room, however to not extend your fan too far down. A safety distance of at least 2.2 metres must be adhered to so that users will not get harmed by the rotating device. If you want strong circulation, opt for a ceiling fan with a high-performance motor and five or six speeds, for example the Bayu from the Pepeo range.
A wide gap between fan and ceiling also makes recirculation of heat in the winter a bit harder. The reverse function of a ceiling fan takes in cold air from the ground. The air passes the motor and the blades and forces warm air from the ceiling down into the room. This evens out the overall temperature in the room and prevents cold spots on the floor. If the distance the cold air needs to cover is too long, it loses momentum halfway. The cold air stays on the ground, the warm air on the ceiling.
Normal ceiling height:
Standard ceiling heights between 2.2 and 3m do not require extension rods. Usually, the supplied rod is sufficient.
Sloping ceilings or transition from a slope to the straight ceiling can be a problem. Make sure the fan blades rotate without hitting the walls and there is a minimum safety distance of at least 20cm to walls and furniture.
⮩ Information about slopes and suspended ceilings
High ceilings:
Starting at a height of 3 metres you are likely to need an extension rod for your fan. The standard rod supplied in the box is replaced by this new rod.
Benefits of an extension rod:
optimised circulation of air
icnreased cooling effect in summer
compensates for tall and inclined ceilings
some models include wiring loom
often compatible with a variety of different brands
Careful:
rod must fit the model (check item description)
some DC motor fans require special cables
distance from ceiling to blades should not be too big (heat recovery)
check length and diameter
thin, suspended ceilings require special mounting brackets
not all fans can be used with rods
Long wiring looms for ceiling fans?
Ceiling fans with a normal mounting rod usually include a wiring loom with up to 46cm length. Most longer drop rods require an additional cable set. In our accessory section we offer cable sets with easy connector plugs in the sizes 61 and 120cm. Some energy-saving DC fans need a special cable set, please make sure to check the item description for more information.
Controllers and lighting
Controlling the ceiling fan is done with your usual remote control, wall controller or pull switch. A longer drop rod or wiring set does not impact how you control your appliance. However, please keep in mind that once you install a longer rod, the light will also shine lower in the room. Dimmable bulbs come in handy, they allow you to adjust the brightness to your liking. We even offer a motion-controlled Instalux LED bulb for E27 sockets.
Special case TDA ceiling fan
The TDA ceiling fans NORDIK HEAVY DUTY BASE and NORDIK HEAVY DUTY INOX feature additional extension rods with up to 92cm length. In that case the reversing feature cannot be used anymore. Our other TDA ceiling fans are also compatible with extension rods. These products come without a reverse function as it is not needed due to the special design.
Extension rods and wobbling
In our online store we offer extension rods ranging from 31cm to 1.5 metres. 1m and longer extension rods will cause the fan to swing slightly, however that is no cause for concern. It is not a construction fault, but a thing of physics. The natural rotation of the motor is visually enhanced by long rods. As long as you install the rod and fan properly, the entire construction will be safe. Furthermore, the supporting ceiling above the fan must be able to carry the weight of the fan and its increased weight due to the movement. We recommend using special mounting brackets in case of suspended ceilings, beams or gypsum board. Make sure all screws have been tightened properly before turning on the fan. Start on low speed and slowly switch over to the higher speed levels. After initial installation, the ceiling fan should run non-stop for 24 hours (low speed is sufficient), so the device can run in properly.
Installing the extension rod
Mounting an extension rod to the Westinghouse Arius ceiling fan.
In this case, the metal rod is an original Westinghouse accessory. We always recommend choosing an extension rod that fits the colour of the fan. Using a metal saw and drill the rod is cut to size and prepared f or installation. This step is only necessary if you need an individual length though. We already have a wide selection of different sizes available so cutting a rod to a shorter size is usually not necessary.
If you already have a ceiling fan that is installed and now want to replace the existing rod, cut off the power on the fuse box. Dismantle the entire unit, remove screws, the safety pin as well as the shorter rod.
If you ordered an extension rod along with your ceiling fan, carefully put the rod over the wiring. The wiring protrudes from the motor housing.
Starting from a size of 46cm you need an additional cable set. They are also available in our accessory section. The longer wiring loom is connected to the cable from the ceiling fan. Check for coloured markings and symbols.
Fit the drop rod to the motor housing and the ball beaering. Make sure all screws are fixed properly.
Insert the ball bearing into the ceiling bracket and connect all wires to the mains supply.
Put on the canopy and make sure the fan is secured properly. Suspended/false ceilings might call for special mounting brackets for additional safety.
If you need any help with choosing the right extension rod, get in touch with our creoven service team. Give us a call or send us an email to info@creoven.com
Emails with attached pictures of your room help us to get a clear picture of your situation.