ceiling fan on dimmer

[Stevenfyeager]

A customer asked me to repair/replace a 30 year old dimmer for his 20 foot high ceiling fan. It only works on high now. I told him, I've always heard its not good for a fan motor to be on a dimmer. Is a three speed wall switch any better ? Thank you.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Most fans can be dimmed however the 3 speed switch is a better option. The infinite dimming causes fans to hum and is usually not wanted in a home. In a commercial building where there is plenty of noise it isn't much of an issue.

 

[ActionDave]

A customer asked me to repair/replace a 30 year old dimmer for his 20 foot high ceiling fan. It only works on high now. I told him, I've always heard its not good for a fan motor to be on a dimmer. Is a three speed wall switch any better ? Thank you.

Depends on the fan. It also needs to be determined if the fan really is on a dimmer.

 

[LarryFine]

There are variable-speed fan controllers. Dimmers go from off to low to high, while speed controllers go from off to high to low. That way, they start at full voltage.