I love dimmer switches; I use them to control almost every light in my house.Installing a dimmer switch is a common enough DIY project, but like any other DIY project, I often find them installed improperly.  The most common problem I find is when dimmer switches are connected to a ceiling fan.

Standard dimmer switches should never be used on ceiling fans because they could damage the fan motor or they could overheat and start a fire.  To know whether a dimmer switch is intended for use with a fan, all you usually have to do is remove the switch cover; there is typically fine print right on the front of the switch saying whether or not it can be used with a ceiling fan.

The photo below left comes from a fan speed controller - this is what needs to be used on a ceiling fan.  The photo below right comes from a standard dimmer switch, and this should not be used on a ceiling fan.

Fan Speed Controller Front Incandescent Dimmer

When I find a dimmer switch that is designed for incandescent fixtures connected to a ceiling fan, I always recommend repair.  A safe repair can be as simple as replacing the dimmer switch with a standard toggle switch, but you also lose the ability to dim the light.

If the wiring for a ceiling fan is already in place in your home (ie - you have separate wires for the fan control and the light control), it should be fairly easy for a qualified person to wire up separate controls for the fan and the light, which will include the ability to dim the light.

Universal Ceiling Fan RemoteIf the ceiling fan was a retro install, there probably won't be proper wiring in the wall for separate fan and light controls; not to worry though.  You can actually purchase a device that will do this - it consists of a wireless remote and a receiver that gets wired directly in to the fan.  These devices work very well, and as far as I know, they can be used with any ceiling fan.

 

Reuben Saltzman, Structure Tech Home Inspections

        

 
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60 Comments on Dimmer Switch On Ceiling Fan = Fire Hazard

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

OCT
26
2010
227,118 Points 86 Featured Posts

Hilary - and if you don't want to study, at least read the instructions.

Sarah - I've found the same thing.

Nancy - while a fire is unlikely, it's certainly a possibility.  What's more likely is that you'll ruin the motor on the ceiling fan.
9:13pm • #41
OCT
27
2010
165,795 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Thanks, I just moved into a house with this situation.  Good to know! Thanks and keep it up!
2:22am • #42
108,542 Points 1 Featured Post

Great information Reuben.  I did not know this.  Thanks.

Aaron
8:37am • #43
1 Featured Post

Good point.  So, why don't they tell you that at Home Depot or Lowe's when you are checking out?  

I've seen a lot of ceiling fans that are controlled by a chain, which doesn't work so well if you have high ceilings.  Too often it's difficult to differentiate between the chain for the light, chain for the fan, and how to get it at the speed you want.
5:54pm • #44
227,118 Points 86 Featured Posts

Curt - good timing!  It's a simple enough fix.

Aaron - thanks for reading.

Mary Jo - ha!  That would be a lot of reading of fine print for the cashiers :)  I have one ceiling fan at my house that I don't have a remote for, and I still can never remember which pull chain is for the light and which is for the fan.
9:51pm • #45
OCT
28
2010
174,695 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thank you for the clear information about what to look for, so many times dimmers are one of those DIY improvements.
10:53am • #46
859,692 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Reuben, thanks for your post about dimmer switches on a ceiling fan...the "right" and "wrong" photos are very helpful. I'm going to re-blog this! :)

Leilani
6:25pm • #47
103,862 Points 2 Featured Posts

Very good information Rueben. 
6:50pm • #48
OCT
30
2010
158,202 Points

Great post once again.  I've recently started linking some of your blogs in my reports, including this one. Very well written & informative.  I recently linked your "Extended kitchen sink soap dispenser" blog & the client thought that was a fabulous idea and thanked me for sharing the info.
7:38am • #49
OCT
31
2010
227,118 Points 86 Featured Posts

Steve - I agree, just about all dimmers are DIY, and usually it's not a problem.

Leilani - thanks for the re-blog.

Troy - thanks.

Joshua - thanks, and thanks for the links!  I've written a number of blogs, including this one, for that exact same reason; instead of writing a long explanation of why something is wrong in my inspection report, I include a link to one of my blogs or someone else's blog with a detailed explanation.  It makes for a shorter inspection report and it saves time.
11:43am • #50
NOV
01
2010

Hi Reuben

Nice article.  Probably something a lot of people don't consider but they should. 

It was great to meet you last week at the networking event.

Donna
1:54pm • #51
NOV
03
2010
227,118 Points 86 Featured Posts

Donna - thanks, and it was good meeting you at the network event.  Thanks for coming, and I hope to see you back again!
5:20pm • #52
NOV
08
2010

Great information.  I have seen this many times but never actually had an inspection on a property with a dimmer switch issue.  The story in the Washington Post (posted by Fred Griffin, post #10) is a sad one to me.  I hate to see all of our manufacturing go overseas like it is so often.  I still think there are applications where incandescent lighting is far superior to the CFL's, and therefore worth a few cents a year to keep running them.
5:29am • #53
227,118 Points 86 Featured Posts

Derrick - I agree, I don't plan to make a full switch to CFLs until they're dimmable.
5:58am • #54
1,653,168 Points 134 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Isn't it amazing how many people think they can do electrical work adequately?????
10:03pm • #55
NOV
29
2010

You know, Reuben, at this time of year where we live I think they cost more to operate in an unheated garage.  Especially if only on for short periods of time as is often the case in an unheated garage here.
10:40am • #56
NOV
30
2010
227,118 Points 86 Featured Posts

Judi - I know I've done my own share of scary electrical stuff :)

Derrick & Sara - dimmer switches or ceiling fans?  I haven't heard that before.
6:12am • #57

Sorry about the last comment without clarifying, Reuben.  I was still talking about incandescent light bulbs as opposed to CFL's.
2:15pm • #58
227,118 Points 86 Featured Posts

Derrick - and those CFLs take a long time to brighten up when in garages when it's cold!
2:36pm • #59
DEC
26
2011
166,754 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master
Reuben as so many others have pointed out this is a valuable tip. While inspectors should catch it, it doesn’t hurt for agents to double check that the inspector checked it.
2:51pm • #60

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