Wire a Ceiling Fan Speed Switch
A fan speed control allows a fan's rotation to be adjusted from a wall-mounted switch. These switches look similar to light dimmer switches, but their functions are different. The switch is installed in-line with the fan, and is a simple switching circuit akin to how a light switch may be installed in the path of a light outlet. Installing a switch for an existing fan will require locating the power line for the fan.
Instructions
1. Turn off power at the breaker to the circuit you will be working on. Be sure the power is off before making any alterations to the circuit.
2. Cut out a mounting location in the wall along the path of the wiring carrying power to fan (usually black). There will also be a grounding wire connected to the fan (typically a bare copper wire). The hole should be large enough to hold the electrical box that will connect to the fan speed control switch.
3. Split the hot lead wire at the point where the electrical box will be mounted and feed the ends of the clipped wires into the box.
4. Splice a piece of properly gauged (12/2 or 14/2) wire into the grounding line and feed it into the electrical box.
5. Install the box securely into its mounting location.
6. Connect the ground wire to the ground pigtail on the back of the switch and use a wire nut to secure the connection.
7. Connect the black lead pigtails from the back of the switch each to one of the black leads running into the electrical box. Which is connected where will not matter.
8. Install the switch and faceplate into the electrical box and restore power to the circuit. Test that the fan speed control works. If it does not, disable power to the circuit and double-check that all wiring is correct.
Tags: into electrical, speed control, back switch, Ceiling Speed, Ceiling Speed Switch