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TOPIC: Fan on dimmer switch

Fan on dimmer switch 13 years 10 months ago #32225

  • Bert de Haan
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On a ceiling fan that has lights on a dimmer switch, shouldn't the fan be wired in such a way that the dimmer does not control the fan?  That is what I wrote in the report but have not sent it off yet. 

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Bert de Haan
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Re: Fan on dimmer switch 13 years 10 months ago #32235

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I have never seen one that had one that controlled the fan Bert, so that would make me wonder as well. I don't know that is necessarily prohibited, but I have never seen it done that way.

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Re: Fan on dimmer switch 13 years 10 months ago #32242

Definitely improper wiring and against manufacturer installation instructions. Putting the fan itself on a dimmer would burn out the motor. I don't think it's against code though, but I could be wrong.

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Dominic Maricic
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Re: Fan on dimmer switch 13 years 10 months ago #32243

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Thanks.  My reasoning was that the fan is designed to run at a certain speed (or in some cases, at one of three speeds.)  A dimmer switch would cause the fan motor to run at a speed lower than what it was designed for.  I tried to look it up but I find conflicting reports.  A practical point is, how do you enjoy dim light but full fan?
If there are dimmer switch/fan combinations available, maybe I overstated it in my report.  I guess worse case is, I may have erred on the side of caution.  When in error, that's the side I want to be on.

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Bert de Haan
www.KitchenerWaterlooHomeInspector.ca
Benchmark Home Inspection Services Kitchener-Wateroo and Guelph area Home Inspection
Serving Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph, Orangeville, Mount Forest and surrounding areas.
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Re: Fan on dimmer switch 13 years 10 months ago #32244

There are switch/dimmer combinations that you can purchase where the dimmer only controls the light and the switch controls the fan. You just need to run an extra pair of wires.

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Dominic Maricic
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Re: Fan on dimmer switch 13 years 10 months ago #32246

Fans should never be on dimmer switches Bert.  They have built-in speed controls.

But what do I know?  I not licensed electricity.

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