Eaton Wiring Fan Controllers
What is a fan controller?
If you can use a wall switch for light control, why not fan control? A fan controller allows you to turn your ceiling fans on and off as well as sets the fan speed. Fan controllers replace a standard light switch and allow you to turn your fan on or off without having to reach up to pull the cord. Keep in mind that although the rotary switch looks like a dimmer, you cannot use a dimmer to control the fan settings.
Options for fan controllers include single speed, 3-speed and fully variable. A single speed ceiling fan switch connects to the power supply to turn the fan on or off, while a 3-speed switch allows the user to set the fan to high, low, or medium speeds. It uses a hot wire and a neutral wire to connect the voltage at 3 different points. A fully variable control allows for a more precise speed setting, similar to how a light dimmer allows for a precise light setting. 3-speed controllers tend to use 1.5 Amps, while the fully variable ones use 5 Amps.