Can I Put A Dimmer On A Ceiling Fan

A dimmer switch should only be used for controlling lights that are compatible with the dimmer switch.

Can i put a dimmer on a ceiling fan.

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. I know intuitively it seems like it would work but its not a good idea. How to wire wall switches for a ceiling fan. There is a growing misconception that this is safe to do but the logic behind it is flawed.

Or something similar you should not use this dimmer with a motor load. A typical ceiling fan motor is an ac induction motor. 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. Converting a three speed ceiling fan to variable speed is even easier if the original fan was wired to a light switch to turn. You need to open up the switch box and or the fan connections to see. 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.

You can install a ceiling fan light dual dimmer switch to operate the fan speed and light intensity from the original wall switch location. 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. A broken ceiling fan motor and a house fire are obviously not ideal outcomes however there is some good news. There are a few better options available to you.

The new switch does require an additional electrical wire. Wiring ceiling fan switches. If you see the text for incandescent only. Don t try to use a dimmer switch as a fan speed control.

You cannot use a dimmer switch on a fan motor but you can find fan speed controllers. 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. By all means you can connect a ceiling fan directly to a dimmer switch but you may run into problems along the way. If there is only one switched wire going to the fan light combo then no.

A regular dimmer switch simply reduces the voltage. 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. An example of this is that the motor in your fan could be damaged and rendered useless. A dimmer switch should never be wired as the main controlling switch for a ceiling fan or ceiling fan remote control.