Does It Ask A Wall Switch?

It can be exciting to install a novel, convenient device like a remote-controlled ceiling fan; it tin can as well live a bit of a daunting job if y'all take to operate a new wire to your wall’s switch panel, or fifty-fifty install a new wall switch altogether.

Technically, remote-controlled ceiling fans don’t ask wall switches, but for reasons involving safety, convenience, too potential code compliance, it’s likely you lot’ll take to anyway. We’re going to explain the specifics of what is and isn’t allowed, as well as nosotros’ll encompass the benefits of having a wall switch for your fan inwards add-on to the remote.

Remote-controlled ceiling fans do non need wall switches unless the fan has a light. Even and so, solely the calorie-free has to be connected to wall switch. The remote and receiver system are connected to the ability provide, and then it can operate without the switch. They switch does provide safety as well as convenience.

How Do Remote-Controlled Ceiling Fans Work?

Remote-controlled fans are able to function because of 2 devices—the receiver and transmitter.

The receiver is located within the fan’second canopy; the bowl-shaped construction where the fan attaches to the ceiling.

The transmitter is located within the remote. As its bring up would imply, the transmitter “transmits,” or outputs a betoken that is and then picked upwardly past the receiver.

This bespeak is communicated via radio frequencies—the transmitter in addition to receiver are both gear up to communicate via the same frequency amongst another device called the dual inwards-occupation parcel, or DIP switch.

There is a set of DIP switches within both the transmitter as well as the remote. Each switch changes the electrical circuit, thereby altering the frequency that the transmitter together with receiver are attuned to.

A transmitter too receiver are aligned to the same DIP switch frequency, which is what allows the ii to communicate without interfering alongside other frequencies.

Wall Switches Are Not Necessary to Function

The remote command itself is all that’second really needed to go a remote ceiling fan. So, long as there is no problem with the remote itself or amongst the receiver inwards the fan, together with every bit long as the fan is hooked up to ability, it volition function only fine.

That way that it is alone possible to install a remote-command ceiling fan without attaching it to the wall switch as the wall switch isn’t necessary for the fan to role.

Check alongside Local Building/Electrical Codes

While wiring a fan to a wall switch is not necessarily required, having the light attached to the wall switch is according to the National Electric Code.

Knowing that, it’second likely easier simply to wire everything up to the switch.

However, even if you nonetheless prefer not to wire your fan to the wall switch, yous should double-cheque and accept a expect at your local building as well as electrical codes showtime. It is possible that wiring your fan upwards to the switch is required inward your area anyway as this does have safe benefits.

Benefits of Wall Switches in Addition to Remotes

On the theme of condom benefits, wiring your fan up to a wall switch means that you lot accept an additional prophylactic mensurate available when working on your fan.

You should ever flip the breaker off when doing whatever variety of electric work inwards your domicile. However, having your fan hooked up to the wall switch allows y'all to plow both the breaker as well as the wall switch off when working on the fan.

This makes it so yous’re less probable to face up electrical injury if a passerby accidentally flips 1 of the switches dorsum on.

Outside of safe, having your remote-controlled fan wired to the wall tin merely live convenient.

For example, if your remote malfunctions or its battery dies spell you lot don’t accept spares, you’ll be able to plow your fan off or on as needed without the remote. If yous don’t have the wall switch, you lot’d take to endeavor i or more option methods.

Similarly, if somebody misplaces the remote, the fan tin nevertheless live operated until the remote is found. In my sentiment, this benefit makes wall switches worthwhile even inwards chain-controlled fans because those chains are ever snapping!

Dead battery remote ceiling fan, man wondering where is the misplaced remote ceiling fan, man with a hand in thumbs up and suggesting that a switch can be used to turn on and off the ceiling fan

The last benefit is only a tiny convenience. Sometimes it is easier to but accomplish within a room to plough the fan on or off, rather than having to walk across the room to grab the remote.

Some mightiness consider that final argue a bit lazy, simply every bit a forgetful someone, I know that those extra ten seconds tin relieve my retention on my way to completing some other task!

Should You Remove/Install a Wall Switch?

If your fan is already hooked up to the wall switch, it’second likely improve simply to get out it lone. If y'all prefer to solely role your remote, in that location’sec no reason yous tin can’t still do that.

Leaving the fan wired to the switch, notwithstanding, notwithstanding provides y'all with all the benefits listed to a higher place, should you ever have reward of them.

Plus, if yous were planning to completely remove too piece over the switch, y'all won’t have to get through the try of filling in addition to picture over the hole.

If your fan isn’t already wired up to the wall, at that place are exclusively ii reasons y'all would ask to install a wall switch.

You demand to wire your fan inwards social club to live compliant alongside your local edifice or electric codes.
You desire to make purpose of the benefits listed inward the previous section.

If you lot don’t need to wire your fan to the wall to come across code requirements together with you don’t really tending for the additional benefits, you’re costless to permit your fan live controlled past your remote alone.