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Ceiling Fan Remote Control Wiring

How To Wire a Remote Control Unit for a Ceiling Fan: I wired in a new remote ceiling fan replacing an existing ceiling fan not remote. After hooking up I turned the power back on and the fan motor started.


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How To Wire a Ceiling Fan Remote Control

Electrical Question: I wired in a new remote ceiling fan replacing an existing ceiling fan not remote. After hooking up I turned the power back on and the fan motor started.

Background: Rick, a Homeowner from Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical question Rick.

Wiring a Ceiling Fan Remote Control

I have attached links to all the detailed information about how to wire ceiling fan remote controls.

How To Wire a Remote Control Unit for a Ceiling Fan

Ceiling Fan Wiring

Application: Ceiling Fan Remote Control.
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience and ability to work with tools.
Precaution: Identify the light circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring.
Materials: Make sure the remote control unit is fully compatible with the ceiling fan you have and the size of the lamps that will be installed in the fixture.

Wiring a Ceiling Fan Remote Control
ceiling-fan-installation
How to Install Ceiling Fans

Ceiling Fan Wiring

electrical-wire
Electrical Wire for the Home
Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects including ceiling fan installations, with electrical code information which serves as a selection guideline.


The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.


Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


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FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

6 Responses to “Ceiling Fan Remote Control Wiring”
  1. TONY says:

    I NEED HELP WITH A CEILING FAN WITH REMOTE CONTROL UNIT. FROM THE CEILING I HAVE A BLACK, WHITE, RED AND GROUND WIRES. THE CEILING FAN AND REMOTE HAS BLUE, RED, WHITE AND BLACK AND THE SAME EXCEPT ON THE REMOTE IT STATES THE WHITE WIRE IS AC AND THE RED WIRE IS AC. SO THE WAY I HAVE IT WIRE NOW IS BLUE TO BLUE, WHITE TO WHITE, BLACK TO BLACK, GREEN TO GREEN AND THE RED OUT OF THE CEILING TO THE BLUE ALSO. PLEASE ADVISE IF THIS IS CORRECT, THANK YOU!

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Tony,
    You will need to identify which wire from the ceiling will be used from the wall switch or hot all the time. When wiring a ceiling fan remote control it becomes a problem when the remote unit is connected to a wire that is controlled by a wall switch, or when someone pulls a pull chain switch on the ceiling fan. Both of these scenarios will mess up the control process and the remote control will not be able to do it’s job and function correctly.
    Dave

  3. phil raymond says:

    I currently have a ceiling fan installed in my bedroom and it is controlled by a remote. I am wondering if it is possible to add down-lights to my room and wire them off the fan wiring so that all of the lights in the room are activated by the remote?

  4. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Phil,
    I would think that adding additional lights to the remote module would be OK, however you need to consider the following:
    The remote control module has a maximum watt limitation, therefore this total should never be exceeded, and an 80% load is best.
    The type of bulbs must be compatible with the control module.
    The dimming level effect for different light fixtures will be different, depending on the light fixture and light bulbs.
    It may be interesting to note that more than one remote receiver module may be controlled by the same remote control transmitter when the dip switch address is the same. This is very handy for large rooms where two or more receiver modules may be controlled at the same time. The same is true where more than one remote control transmitter may be used in the same area for one or more ceiling fans or light fixtures.
    Disclaimer: If the remote control module specifically states that it is to be installed for Ceiling Fans ONLY, then it means what it says. All remote control modules must be installed according to the instructions and all applicable codes.
    Dave

  5. kay obrien says:

    How can I fix my remote control to an outdoor ceiling fan? The remote has 2 wires: red and black. The black wire became disconnected. Would I have to have the black wire soldered again or is there another fix? Thank you in advance.

  6. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Kay,
    If the black wire has broken off of the ceiling fan remote module then it may be best to get a replacement module. Reattaching the wire would be very tricky and there may be other internal damage on the control module as well, therefore I would replace the module.
    Thank you for sharing your ceiling fan question with us,
    Dave