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can you put a dimmer on a fan light

by Leif Hoeger Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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You can install a dimmer switch on your ceiling fan light to control the area’s brightness. Theoretically, you can control the main power and fan speed, aside from the ceiling fan brightness. When installed in a ceiling fan light, every dimmer switch generally has this capability.

Standard dimmer switches should never be used to control the fan motor on a ceiling fan because the dimmer could damage the fan motor, or overheat and start a fire.Oct 26, 2010

Full Answer

Can I use a light dimmer for a ceiling fan?

While technically yes it can be done, a dimmer is for lights. For a fan, you want to use a speed control. The type of control you use will depend on the fan motor. A fan that operates on low med high well need a position switch, while other fans can use a variable speed control.

Can you put a dimmer switch on a fan?

You cannot use a dimmer switch on a fan motor, but you can find fan speed controllers. Why? A regular dimmer switch simply reduces the voltage. That works with lights, but will burn out a motor (and maybe burn down the house).

How does a fan dimmer work?

  • The speed control knob protruding out of a ceiling fan dimmer switch is actually a potentiometer or a variable resistor.
  • Every time we move or rotate this knob the internal setting of the variable resistor is changed.
  • As per this setting, a capacitor is kept charged to a particular point of the phase rising to its positive or negative peak.

More items...

What is the best dimmer for LED lights?

Best of the Best. TP-Link. Kasa Smart LED Light Bulb Dimmable 50W Equivalent 1-Pack. Check Price. Most Comprehensive. Bottom Line. Combines reliable dimming ability, superior light, and versatile "smart" technology. By far the best dimmable option available today. Pros.

Can you put a motor on a dimmer?

Can you install a dimmer without a cable?

Can you use a combination dimmer control with a switch?

Can you put a dimmer on a fan?

Can you install a ceiling fan remote?

Is Honeywell a regular dimmer?

Does Honeywell have a remote control for ceiling fans?

See 4 more

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Can you make a fan light dimmable?

Ceiling fan lights can be dimmed, but only with a switch compatible with their wiring. Using a dimmer switch without being sure it won't damage your ceiling is hazardous and could quite literally burn your house down.

Can any ceiling fan Use a dimmer switch?

A dimmer switch should never be used on a ceiling fan. A fan motor needs a specific amount of power to run properly. Sending too much power to the motor could overload it potentially causing an overheat and fire. Too little power and the motor will work improperly or be damaged.

What kind of dimmer switch do I need for a ceiling fan?

You can purchase specialized purpose-built dimmer switches (Amazon) that separately control the speed of the fan, and the brightness of the bulb in one console. This type requires that your wall wiring has three wires coming out, meaning a separate one for fan and light.

Can I use a dimmer plug on a fan?

In fact, you could burn out the fan or, in a worst-case situation, cause a fire by trying to use some type of dimming mechanism to control the speed of a fan. So in short: don't do this! Powering a motor, such as that in a fan, requires a lot of electricity up front in order to get the motor up to speed quickly.

What happens if you put a ceiling fan on a dimmer switch?

Standard dimmer switches should never be used to control the fan motor on a ceiling fan because the dimmer could damage the fan motor, or overheat and start a fire.

How do you wire a dimmer switch to a ceiling fan?

1:282:58How to Install a Dual Ceiling Fan & Light Dimmer Switch - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe red wire carries the power to your lights only there's your dimmer switch. The black wireMoreThe red wire carries the power to your lights only there's your dimmer switch. The black wire controls the fan motors. So when you flip that switch on.

Do you need a special switch for a fan?

Most new ceiling fans can be wired to either a single switch or a double switch. With single-switch wiring, power to the fan is controlled by a standard single-pole wall switch, like a regular light switch.

Can you use a dimmer switch on a non dimmable light?

Dimming LED lamps can save energy and changes the visual appearance and mood of your space. You can use a dimmable LED lamp in a non-dimmable circuit. You should NOT use a non-dimmable lamp in a dimmable circuit as it may cause damage to the lamp and or circuit.

Which type of switch is used to control a fan?

ONE-WAY (SINGLE-POLE) ELECTRICAL SWITCH A one-way or single-pole electrical switch is the most common one in use. They are used to control lights, fans, or other devices from a single location.

How does a fan dimmer work?

Phase angle-controlled regulators employ active semiconductor devices and are commonly known as dimmer switches. The voltage across the semiconductor device is varied to alter the voltage across the fan, eventually, speed is continuously varied.

Can I use a smart dimmer to control a fan speed?

Without any issues, ceiling fans may get controlled by smart switches. Any smart switch will do if all you want to do is turn the ceiling fan on and off. However, a specific smart fan controller is required if you wish to regulate the fan speed. The light dimmer and fan controller get included with double switches.

Are Hunter fan lights dimmable?

All Hunter remotes (pack-in + accessory) have the dimming feature enabled by default. You can toggle the dimming feature on/off at any time. Dimming bulbs can be used with pull chain fans, but they will not dim unless a suitable control with dimming capabilities is installed.

Can you use a dimmer switch on a non dimmable light?

Dimming LED lamps can save energy and changes the visual appearance and mood of your space. You can use a dimmable LED lamp in a non-dimmable circuit. You should NOT use a non-dimmable lamp in a dimmable circuit as it may cause damage to the lamp and or circuit.

What is the difference between fan regulator and dimmer?

Correspondingly, the functioning of fan regulators is very similar to that of light dimmers. Like the latter, fan regulators modify voltage before it reaches the appliance—in this case, the fan. The only difference is that of the appliance itself.

Are Hunter fan lights dimmable?

All Hunter remotes (pack-in + accessory) have the dimming feature enabled by default. You can toggle the dimming feature on/off at any time. Dimming bulbs can be used with pull chain fans, but they will not dim unless a suitable control with dimming capabilities is installed.

How do I install a dimmer switch?

1:472:44How to Install a Dimmer Switch - Ace Hardware - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipA single-pole dimmer like this one has two wires that you're going to connect to the wires comingMoreA single-pole dimmer like this one has two wires that you're going to connect to the wires coming out of the box and a separate ground wire. Go ahead and take the stripped wires twist.

electrical - Trying to install a dimmer switch for my light attached to ...

thanks in advance for the help! I am attempting to install a dimmer switch to solely operate the light on my ceiling fan light fixture. I have read that installing a dimmer for the fan is dangerous, however I have been told that having the dimmer only control the light, not the fan and the light, is okay.

How to Avoid Burning Up a Ceiling Fan with a Dimmer Switch

Dimmer Switches and Ceiling Fans Electrical Question: I turned my ceiling fan on, it was fine for a few minutes then the lights made loud popping noises and shut off. There was a burning smell in the air. Now the fan and lights don’t work at all. The fan is new, I installed it 3 months ago.

Can you put a motor on a dimmer?

You can't put the motor on the dimmer. 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 need to open up the switch box and/or the fan connections to see.

Can you install a dimmer without a cable?

If there are two black and two white insulated wires, and the two black are connected to the switch, then you cannot install a dimmer without running additional cable.

Can you use a combination dimmer control with a switch?

There are many combination dimmer / speed controls available that will do the job with the existing one switch control. They come as remotes that are portable or in controls that replace the existing switch. Check box stores or fan dealers.

Can you put a dimmer on a fan?

ronnatalie, you can put a dimmer on some fans. my parents house has one onthe fan inteh den. no light on the fan, the dimmer controls the speed of the fan itself. i forget the brand, but it does not even have a pull cord switch made into it. it was sold to use on a dimmer to control the fan speed.

Can you install a ceiling fan remote?

I would install a ceiling fan remote. You can get them so that there is wall (in box) control, a handheld control or both. This would give you full control over the light dimmer and the fan speed without ever having to pull a chain again. You can follow easy step by step instruction here: How to Install a Ceiling Fan Remote

Is Honeywell a regular dimmer?

nope, it was a regular dimmer. it may hav esupposed ot been a fan speed control, but the orignal one and the one i replaced it with when someone broke the shaft were both regular old dimmers. Honeywell makes a remote control for a ceiling fan which has variable speed for the fan and dimming for the lights as well.

Does Honeywell have a remote control for ceiling fans?

Honeywell makes a remote control for a ceiling fan which has variable speed for the fan and dimming for the lights as well. In addition, it has a setting that will turn the lights off on a delay (so you have light while you leave the room) and another feature to randomize the lighting of the ceiling light so that anyone casing you hour home might be misled into thinking someone is home. The models that I've looked at are the honeywell 40013 (backlit touch screen remote) and 40012 (physical buttons) and the prices range from 29.95+ on the 40012 and 39.98 on the 40013 (@ Lowes, which is lower than at the Honeywellstore.com site).

Why use a dimmer switch for a ceiling fan?

Ceiling fan dimmer switches are great alternatives to boring push switches when you want to spice up your home. You can create an ambiance with the lighting, use it to start winding down before sleep, or simply use less energy than you were previously. What makes dimmer switches so great is that they also only take a matter of minutes to install, making them a great DIY project for busy homeowners.

How many blades does a ceiling fan have?

A ceiling fan is traditionally mounted onto the ceiling and uses four to six rotating blades to circulate air around the room and offer a cooling effect to anyone in the room. They also often have a light fixture in the middle of the blades so that you can position both your light and fan in the optimal position of the ceiling.

Can you use a dual switch instead of a single switch?

Said wire will reach a box on the wall which you can change for a dual switch rather than a single switch. You may need a building permit to do so, so make sure that you do your research before starting this DIY project to avoid fines or angry letters. While you may have to get used to wires reaching down your wall, this is a good method of ensuring that you incorporate dimmer switches into your home and ceiling fan.

Can you wire a fan and light switch?

If there is separate wiring for the light setting and fan setting, you may be able to wire each set of wires onto two different switches. For example, you can wire the speed of the fan setting up to a simple toggle switch, although you won’t be able to control the speed of the fan, and you can wire the light function up to a dimmer switch.

Can you swap out a ceiling fan switch?

To do this, we’d suggest swapping the current switch out for a simple toggle model. While this won’t give you the customization aspect for your ceiling fan that you may have wanted, it definitely beats having a potentially hazardous fan in your house, right?

Can ceiling fans be used as dimmer switches?

However, ceiling fans are not always the best choice of electrical items to use dimmer switches with. You need to make sure you have the right kind of dimmer switch, and that your wiring is up to the coding requirements needed to safely carry something like this out.

Can a dimmer switch cause a fire?

Having said that, nothing is perfect, and unfortunately dimmer switches are much more likely to become overloaded than other types of switches. If a switch is overloaded for too long, it could cause a fire.

What happens if you don't use a dimmer switch?

If you don’t use a dimmer switch that’s fully compatible with your new LED dimmer bulbs, you could get problems that include: Flickering instead of dimming. Drop out: This means the LED bulb will completely turn off rather than dimming to a lower level. Pop on: This is the opposite of a dropout.

What is a dimmer switch?

Most dimmer switches were designed to work with filament lamps and incandescent bulbs. An LED bulb works differently. Among other things, it is low-voltage, and traditional bulbs are high-voltage.

What type of dimming is used for LED lights?

Choose your dimming type: LED bulbs can either have pulse-width modulation (PWM) dimming or constant current reduction (CCR). Each type has its negatives and positives. A qualified electrician can help you decide which type of dimmer is best for your home or business.

Why use dimmers?

When you use dimmers, you can create a soft light that’s relaxing and friendly. It’s ideal for family gatherings and entertaining. Dimmers are part of your overall lighting design. Save energy: Using LED bulbs is already a big energy saver, and adding dimmers saves even more.

Why dim a light bulb to half its capacity?

When you dim a bulb to half its capacity, you save energy, save money and add to the bulb’s already long lifespan. If you do that on several lights throughout your house, you can count on some serious savings.

What does "pop on" mean on a dimmer?

Pop on: This is the opposite of a dropout. As the dimmer brightens, it will suddenly “pop on” to its full brightness.

Can you see a dimmer?

You can see dimmers, but there are some tips and tricks you need to know. This is a great time to add dimmers. SESCOS has a special on LED lighting sales and installation.

Can you put a motor on a dimmer?

You can't put the motor on the dimmer. 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 need to open up the switch box and/or the fan connections to see.

Can you install a dimmer without a cable?

If there are two black and two white insulated wires, and the two black are connected to the switch, then you cannot install a dimmer without running additional cable.

Can you use a combination dimmer control with a switch?

There are many combination dimmer / speed controls available that will do the job with the existing one switch control. They come as remotes that are portable or in controls that replace the existing switch. Check box stores or fan dealers.

Can you put a dimmer on a fan?

ronnatalie, you can put a dimmer on some fans. my parents house has one onthe fan inteh den. no light on the fan, the dimmer controls the speed of the fan itself. i forget the brand, but it does not even have a pull cord switch made into it. it was sold to use on a dimmer to control the fan speed.

Can you install a ceiling fan remote?

I would install a ceiling fan remote. You can get them so that there is wall (in box) control, a handheld control or both. This would give you full control over the light dimmer and the fan speed without ever having to pull a chain again. You can follow easy step by step instruction here: How to Install a Ceiling Fan Remote

Is Honeywell a regular dimmer?

nope, it was a regular dimmer. it may hav esupposed ot been a fan speed control, but the orignal one and the one i replaced it with when someone broke the shaft were both regular old dimmers. Honeywell makes a remote control for a ceiling fan which has variable speed for the fan and dimming for the lights as well.

Does Honeywell have a remote control for ceiling fans?

Honeywell makes a remote control for a ceiling fan which has variable speed for the fan and dimming for the lights as well. In addition, it has a setting that will turn the lights off on a delay (so you have light while you leave the room) and another feature to randomize the lighting of the ceiling light so that anyone casing you hour home might be misled into thinking someone is home. The models that I've looked at are the honeywell 40013 (backlit touch screen remote) and 40012 (physical buttons) and the prices range from 29.95+ on the 40012 and 39.98 on the 40013 (@ Lowes, which is lower than at the Honeywellstore.com site).

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1.Videos of Can You Put a Dimmer On a Fan Light

Url:/videos/search?q=can+you+put+a+dimmer+on+a+fan+light&qpvt=can+you+put+a+dimmer+on+a+fan+light&FORM=VDRE

17 hours ago  · You can install a dimmer switch on your ceiling fan light to control the area’s brightness. Theoretically, you can control the main power and fan speed, aside from the ceiling …

2.Can you put a dimmer switch on a ceiling fan with a light?

Url:https://www.quora.com/Can-you-put-a-dimmer-switch-on-a-ceiling-fan-with-a-light

22 hours ago  · When a ceiling fan is wired to a light switch, the switch can be used to power the fan on and off. However, many homeowners have wondered whether dimmer switches can be …

3.Putting dimmer on ceiling fan light? Can I do this? - Houzz

Url:https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2653566/putting-dimmer-on-ceiling-fan-light-can-i-do-this

6 hours ago Answer (1 of 5): You can't use a dimmer to control fan speed. You CAN use a dimmer to control the light if your power wiring between the switch location and the fan location includes two …

4.Dimmer Switches: Can They Be Used with Ceiling Fans?

Url:https://www.homedecorselection.com/ceiling-fan-dimmer-switch/

20 hours ago If there is only one switched wire going to the fan/light combo, then no. You can't put the motor on the dimmer. If they ran two wires (even if they connected them both to the switch) you should …

5.Can you use a light dimmer to control fan speed? - Quora

Url:https://www.quora.com/Can-you-use-a-light-dimmer-to-control-fan-speed

24 hours ago While technically yes it can be done, a dimmer is for lights. For a fan, you want to use a speed control. The type of control you use will depend on the fan motor. A fan that operates on low …

6.How to Install a Dual Ceiling Fan & Light Dimmer Switch

Url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMyShlNNreY

28 hours ago  · How to Install a Dual Ceiling Fan & Light Dimmer Switch. Part of the series: Ceiling Fans & Light Fixtures. Installing a dual ceiling fan and light dimmer sw...

7.Using Dimmers with LED Lights: What You Need To Know

Url:https://www.sescos.com/using-dimmers-with-led-lights-what-you-need-to-know/

7 hours ago  · Technically, a dimmer switch can control a fan’s speed, but it’s not wise to use a standard dimmer switch with a ceiling fan. A standard dimmer switch is used to regulate …

8.Dimmer on exhaust Fan? - DoItYourself.com Community …

Url:https://www.doityourself.com/forum/lighting-light-fixtures-ceiling-exhaust-fans/428660-dimmer-exhaust-fan.html

6 hours ago  · You can, but the results may not be what you want. Most dimmer switches were designed to work with filament lamps and incandescent bulbs. An LED bulb works differently. …

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