Two standard features of nearly all contemporary ceiling fans are a multiple-speed fan switch and a three-way light preset. An easy way to expand these arbitrary light brightness and fan speed settings is to replace the existing "on-off" wall switch with a rheostat control, commonly referred to as a "dimmer" switch. A dimmer switch, or more accurately, a dimmer "slide," regulates the electrical current flow to determine the lighting level and fan speed, offering greater airflow control and increased energy efficiency with a simple electrical "switch."
Instructions
1. Switch off the electric current to the ceiling fan circuit at the fuse box or breaker panel.
2. Disconnect the existing light switch that controls the ceiling fan. Separate the three circuit wires from the wall box. The circuit will consist of a black wire, referred to as the "hot lead," a white wire, or "neutral lead," and a bare copper "ground" wire.
3. Connect the new dimmer switch to the circuit wires. Match the wire color for the correct connectivity, black wire to , white wire to white wire, then secure each connection with a wire nut.
4. Attach the green wire from the dimmer switch to the bare copper wire from the wall box to complete the grounding of the switch.
5. Slip the wire connections into the wall box, then press the dimmer switch body into place. Attach the dimmer switch to the wall box with the two flange screws.
6. Install the new cover plate over the dimmer switch and secure with the two small screws provided. For knob-type dimmer switches, attach the dial knob by sliding it onto the center control stem.
7. Switch the power to the circuit back on at the fuse box or .
Tags: dimmer switch, black wire, white wire, bare copper, breaker panel, circuit wires