Can You Use A Dimmer Switch To Control A Ceiling Fan

Watch out for regular switches being sold as fan controllers.

Can you use a dimmer switch to control a ceiling fan.

Step 1 set up. Dimmer switch ceiling fan compatibility. If you try using a light dimmer switch on your fan you will most likely hear a loud humming sound on low speeds. The more complicated answer we are engineers after all.

You cannot use a dimmer switch on a fan motor but you can find fan speed controllers why. Converting a three speed ceiling fan to variable speed is even easier if the original fan was wired to a light switch to turn. Start by turning off the light and ceiling fan at the fuse box. A wall mounted dimmer switch may be installed to control the ceiling fan lighting if the lights are compatible with the dimmer switch and there is a separate wire provided for the light fixture only.

Lately i ve noticed a few wifi smart switches being sold as fan controllers. You may need an electrician for this. That works with lights but will burn out a motor and maybe burn down the house a fan speed controller is a much more complex electronic device that reduces the amperage to the motor without reducing the voltage avoiding this kind of innocent mistake. The wall dimmer switch reduces power flow and interferes with the fan control.

If your ceiling fan has wiring already in place where you have a separate switch for fan control then you can have the separate controls wired to independent switches. A regular dimmer switch simply reduces the voltage. Installing dimmer switches is a seemingly easy way to control a ceiling fan and or a lighting fixture. Be aware that a standard light dimmer switch will not work with a ceiling fan.

This is potentially dangerous and you would need to buy a special dimmer switch and a fan speed control. In this circumstance the light kit could be connected to a dimmer switch and the fan motor connected to a toggle switch. It can have a big impact and be an inexpensive way to control the fixture. There is a growing misconception that this is safe to do but the logic behind it is flawed.

When using a remote control fan speed control or a dimmer switch the pull chain switches on the ceiling fan should be in the full on position. Using a dimmer switch is not recommended for use with a ceiling fan. A dimmer switch for motor speed control can be installed with a few precautions and considerations in mind. Replace the wall dimmer switch with an on off switch.

Even worse the ceiling fan motor could be damaged over time.