Can I Put A Dimmer On A Ceiling Fan

I know intuitively it seems like it would work but its not a good idea.

Can i put a dimmer on a ceiling fan. A regular dimmer switch simply reduces the voltage. There is a growing misconception that this is safe to do but the logic behind it is flawed. How to wire wall switches for a ceiling fan. There are a few better options available to you.

If they ran two wires even if they connected them both to the switch you should be able to split off the light for a dimmer. You can t put the motor on the dimmer. A dimmer switch should never be wired as the main controlling switch for a ceiling fan or ceiling fan remote control. If you see the text for incandescent only.

Using a dimmer switch is not recommended for use with a ceiling fan. Install a fan control switch. That works with lights but will burn out a motor and maybe burn down the house. A broken ceiling fan motor and a house fire are obviously not ideal outcomes however there is some good news.

You need to open up the switch box and or the fan connections to see. A dimmer switch should only be used for controlling lights that are compatible with the dimmer switch. The new switch does require an additional electrical wire. You can install a ceiling fan light dual dimmer switch to operate the fan speed and light intensity from the original wall switch location.

A typical ceiling fan motor is an ac induction motor. Don t try to use a dimmer switch as a fan speed control. Although this will eliminate your ability to dim the light on the ceiling fan it will also reduce the risks of damage to the fan or your home. Using a standard dimmer with a ceiling fan can damage the motor and or cause the dimmer and or motor to overheat and cause a fire.

You cannot use a dimmer switch on a fan motor but you can find fan speed controllers. The best option you have for a ceiling fan that is wired to a standard dimmer switch is to change it out for a simple toggle switch. Wiring ceiling fan switches. Hi todd sorry to hear about your ceiling fan and yes wiring a ceiling fan to a dimmer switch most likely burnt up your ceiling fan and here s why.

For a switch to effectively slow down that type of motor it requires a variable frequency drive vfd or a triac with some extra circuitry. Or something similar you should not use this dimmer with a motor load. Converting a three speed ceiling fan to variable speed is even easier if the original fan was wired to a light switch to turn. By all means you can connect a ceiling fan directly to a dimmer switch but you may run into problems along the way.