Dimmer switch on ceiling fan question

I dont know if this the place to post but I have a question.

I have a ceiling fan with lights built into as one unit in the home dining room, the fan/lights, each have there own pull string controls, for the light on/off. the fan has a forward/reverse pull string control and variable speed pull string 3 speeds I think on a pull string. There is also one wall mounted switch controlled by a dimmer.

My question is it safe to use a dimmer switch or is it better to use a typical on /off switch? Something tells me that I should be using a on/off switch verses a dimmer as this would fry the fan if it was not on full power, or cause house fire at the switch box. Being a novice can someone tell me the SAFE way to solve this problem. As the dimmer thats there is now burnt, I bought the house with a dimmer there.

I never run the fan but did use the dimmer to control light brigthness.

Any help appreciated.

Reply to
CME
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There are special multispeed switches for fan motors. Check the fan department at HD and you will find them there. Light dimmers are not suitable for fan motors.

If the previous owner did this I would be concerned that the whole job is a mess and that the fan is not adequately attached to the structure of the house. In other words if he put a fan in a box made only for a ceiling fixture it will probably fall down some day and make you very unhappy. Since you are a novice you might want to have an electrician check it out.

problem. As

dimmer there.

brigthness.

Reply to
Art Begun

You've got to separate the circuits, on off for the fan, and the dimmer for the lights. It's very possible to do, but complicated to explain.

Dave

Reply to
David Babcock

If he has only 1 wall switch he has only 1 circuit powering the fan. Even if the fan has 2 circuits the previous owner may have wired them together. Sounds like a mess with a dimmer attached.

structure

electrician

Reply to
Art Begun

the old dimmer swith on the wall tbat was just for a light is useless for a ceiling fan... you cutting down on the voltage and for the lights thats OK, but the the fan motor thats not gonna work.....

Reply to
jim

If you never use the fan, pull it down and get a light fixture and replace the dimmer. I agree that if someone put this fan on a dimmer the fan is probably not hung properly. Take it down before it falls on you.

Nick

Reply to
Nick

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