
- Fan control switch how to#
- Fan control switch install#
Using a wiring connector cap, connect one of the black conductor wires in the wiring box to one of the black wires on the new switch. The white neutral wires are probably connected with connecting caps. Two are black conductors, two are white neutral wires, and two are bare ground wires. The sheathing is stripped off the cable so there can be 6 wires inside the box. Typically, two romex cables enter the wiring box. Disconnect the black conductor wires and bare wires from the old switch and remove. Remove the faceplate and pull the switch from the wiring box. Turn off the circuit breaker for that circuit at your breaker panel. Usually, it doesn’t matter which black lead you connect to the black conductor wire going to the fan load or line. New fan switches come with two black leads (load) and one green (ground). If you’re replacing an old switch, all you’ll need to do is to swap out the existing equipment and connect the new fan control switch. Be sure to set the fan to the highest speed, which is generally done using the pull chain, to avoid problems with the new control switch. If you’re setting up multiple ceiling fans to one controller, you’ll need to add their amps together and get a control that matches their total. Most ceiling fans use less than 1 amp so it’s best to use a control dimmer that’s a little higher, like 1 to 1.5 amps. To choose the correct fan control switch, check the amperage on your ceiling fan. Fan control switch how to#
How to Choose the Right Speed Control Switch Light dimmer switches work by raising the electrical resistance which in turn reduces the voltage and so dims the light, but if hooked into a fan could cause it to hum loudly, or the dimmer might heat up and even catch on fire.
Fan controls and light dimmers do two different jobs. If instead your equipment says something about incandescent fixtures only, it is intended to be a light dimmer and will not work with your fan. Generally, fan speed control switches should be labeled as such somewhere on the plate. Ensure You’re Using a Fan Control Switch, not a Light Dimmerīefore you start your installation, make sure you have the right switch for the job. Read on to learn about how to replace a ceiling fan switch and make sense of that tangle of wires inside the box.
Fan control switch install#
To complete the job, you still need to install a ceiling fan speed control switch to get the most from your new fixture.įor an experienced handy person, wiring up the control in the wall receptacle is a fairly easy task, but some homeowners find the job to be pretty confusing and intimidating. Your work isn’t over once the fan itself is in place, however. Installing a ceiling fan is a useful home improvement job that can help keep air circulating in your house and save you money on your heating and cooling bills.