How Do Remote Command Ceiling Fans Work

Operating a ceiling fan seems fraught amongst issues. Chains break or get clicked by accident when the wall switch is off, which way you lot accept to get through the whole clicking wheel simply to reset them and so that the switch volition make what you lot want it to do. I know these are small fry issues inwards the K scheme of things, simply I tin can’t be the entirely 1 this bothers!

“Remote-controlled ceiling fan” was a phrase that entered my life similar an epiphany in addition to I couldn’t wait to become stuck into researching how these worked, especially when I found out that I could install the remote arrangement on my electric current fan too I didn’t involve to buy a whole novel unit of measurement.

Remote-controlled ceiling fans purpose a transmitter too a receiver to relay information from the remote command to the fan’sec power provide. The frequency of the transmission betwixt the transmitter (the remote) too the receiver (inwards the fan too connected to the power render) determines how the fan responds.

Remote Controlled Fans Have Receivers

Remote-controlled ceiling fans take a transmitter too a receiver. The remote command is the transmitter too it communicates amongst a receiver that is wired into the ceiling fan.

Girl in a gray sofa holding a remote to control a black three-bladed ceiling fan with receiver wired to the fan

In almost cases, the receiver is wired to the power furnish as well as enclosed in the ceiling fan’second neckband with all the wiring.

This wiring setup means that when you lot press a push on the remote command, the receiver is triggered to exert its preset power over the hot wire, which tells the ceiling fan what to do. We will go into this in more than detail, simply start—wiring.

Wiring of Remote Controlled Ceiling Fan

Ground Wires

Ground wires, as well called world wires, are important because they render a safety path for excess electricity to flow. These wires create a low-impedance path for displaced electricity to “ground”, effectively neutralizing the electric electric current too greatly reducing the risk of electrical accidents too injuries.

Typically green inward colour (except for the home earth wire, which is oftentimes a bare copper wire), ground wires should all live connected to i another.

The receiver is non connected to the earth wires because ground wires are designed to acquit excess electricity away from the ability provide line of work.

Neutral Wires

Neutral wires are typically white together with they connect the circuit dorsum to its master copy ability rootage, completing the electrical circuit.

The neutral wire of the fan, the receiver wire, as well as the “household” neutral wire are all connected together. For reference, the “family” neutral wire is the ane that is connected to your home’sec wiring.

Power Supply Line

The fan’sec receiver is powered past the render line or hot wire, which is typically represented past a black wire.

After the remote transmitter sends a bespeak, the receiver allows the current provided by the furnish occupation to come in the fan together with attain the desired function. Alternately, it blocks the current to turn the fan off.

Generally, the receiver has every bit many output wires every bit functions. For instance, if it is only a fan, then there is probable to be alone i output wire. If the fan too has a light, so at that place will be 2 output wires.

Output Wires

Output wires lead out from the receiver together with connect to the wires of the fan. Typically, in that location is at least ane, which operates the fan. But if in that location is a light too, so this will live controlled alongside a sort wire connecting the receiver to the calorie-free.

How the Transmitter together with Receiver Communicate

The receiver and transmitter communicate via a frequency. The remote control sends out a betoken at a sure frequency, in addition to the receiver picks upward that betoken using its antenna.

The receiver so decodes the bespeak in addition to sends a corresponding betoken to the ceiling fan past allowing the electric current from the power furnish job to get into the appropriate output wire or past preventing this current from flowing.

The ceiling fan responds, causing the blades to rotate or finish. If the fan has a lite, the receiver tin likewise mail a signal that will plough it on or off.

Illustration of Ceiling Fan with light Wiring with Remote Control and Receiver

In lodge to communicate, the transmitter in addition to receiver must live programmed to the same frequency. Most remote-controlled ceiling fans come alongside a receiver that tin live programmed to multiple frequencies then that it can function with multiple remote controls.

There is commonly a switch or dip-switch on the receiver that yous tin can role to gear up the frequency. You will require to consult your ceiling fan’sec documentation to detect out which position on the switch corresponds to which frequency.

As for the transmitter, nearly remote controls come amongst a default frequency that they function on. If y'all want to plan the transmitter to a different frequency, you lot volition call for to consult your ceiling fan’s documentation to observe out how to make that.

How is the Fan Speed Controlled?

If you lot are like me, then y'all might be wondering how the remote is able to accommodate the speed of the fan if in that location is solely i wire connecting the fan to the receiver (and, thence, to the ability source). Surely, this agency y'all tin alone either take it on or off.

Rotating white four bladed ceiling fan with light installed in a wooden ceiling

Well, the respond to this is actually quite logical. Just as alongside a dimmer switch or a three-fashion light, the amount of current beingness fed to the fan from the receiver is adjustable.

When yous suit the speed of the fan using the buttons on the remote, a point of a sure frequency is sent to the receiver. This point is interpreted according to the preset functions. In other words, the receiver is programmed to know that a item frequency is linked to slowing or speeding the fan upwards inwards certain increments each fourth dimension the point is received.

Once the point is correctly interpreted, the receiver adjusts the amount of electric current flowing to the fan to yield the desired issue. Less electric current way the motor plow more slowly; more than electric current means that it rotates faster.

Can You Make Any Fan Remote Controlled?

In general, yeah. You tin can buy universal kits at any big box shop that will permit you to rewire your fan to be remote-controlled. Universal kits include a remote in addition to a receiver that you lot install inside the fan. However, before purchasing a universal kit, make certain that your ceiling fan’second canopy is large enough to household the receiver.

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Sometimes, LED bulbs won’t go good alongside a remote control ceiling fan, then you should check this as well.

If yous have an older ceiling fan, y'all may take to rewire it to arrange a remote command. This is non a hard procedure, simply it volition take approximately basic electric knowledge. You’ll need to know how to connect wires in addition to wire the remote control receiver to the fan.

Some ceiling fans may live more than hard to wire than others. If yous’re unsure if your ceiling fan tin family a receiver, or if yous don’t experience confident in your wiring skills, it’second ever best to consult a professional electrician. They volition be able to provide guidance too as well rewire your ceiling fan to conform remote command function if that is what you lot want.

Power to Fan Not Controlled By Remote

Remember, the remote as well as receiver do not control the power render to the fan unit of measurement as a whole (including the receiver). Yes, it controls how much goes to the fan, merely if you lot were to plough the fan off with the remote too fiddle about alongside the wiring, yous would be in for a rather nasty surprise.

To safely go on the remote-controlled ceiling fan, you volition require to disconnect it from the ability supply. Some people say that turning it off at the wall is skilful enough, merely I tell rather live safe. If you take a wall switch, plough this off, just as well cut the ability at the breaker box.

Man's hand turning off circuit breaker with many switch

On the upside, the fact that the remote does not control the ability going to the whole fan unit means that you lot tin can yet control the fan if the remote goes missing or the batteries perish together with in that location are none rolling about inwards your junk depict to salve the twenty-four hour period.

Now that you lot know how they operate, why not read through Remote Control Ceiling Fan Will Not Turn Off to observe out how to make them when they stop working!