Fan switch question....

[Roosterrusek]

Yo, I have and attic fan, it has an Off - Low - High switch that is going bad. Any reason I cannot get a dimmer switch and put it on there?

[imcarthur]

No. Light dimmers vary the voltage which won't work with a motor. You need a proper fan switch to vary the speed.

Ian

[Roosterrusek]

Originally Posted by imcarthur

No. Light dimmers vary the voltage which won't work with a motor. You need a proper fan switch to vary the speed.

Ian

Gotcha...makes sense. Thanks

[968rz]

+1 on Ian's comment. A normal light dimmer will hum very loud and get hot. Buy a heavy duty 3 speed fan switch.

[rick-l]

Need more info. It sounds like you have a (fairly big) fractional horsepower motor that now has 3 wires going to it. That type of switch should not be very expensive.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by Roosterrusek

Any reason I cannot get a dimmer switch and put it on there?

Tried that back in the 1970's on a Garrard turntable that played too fast. No dice.