Install Light Dimmers and Fan ControlsInstalling a dimmer or fan control is really quite easy. These simple step-by-step instructions will have you on your way to enjoying the perfect ambiance in no time.Dimmer or Fan ControlElectrical TapeFlat-Head ScrewdriverMasking TapeMounting HardwareNeedle-Nose PliersPhillips ScrewdriverWall Plate (if needed)Wire Connector NutsWire CutterWire StripperInstall Your Dimmer Switch or Fan ControlEven though they look alike, dimmer switches and fan controls have different functions. Always use the proper switch for your application. Check the packaging to see whether the switch is for a light or a fan motor, and follow the instructions included with your particular switch.When working with electricity always:Turn OFF electricity at the main fuse box (or circuit breaker box) that controls the power to the fixture or the room you're working on.Test the wires to ensure the power is OFF.Place the wall switch in the OFF position.All electrical connections must be in agreement with local codes.

Check with local authorities to see if a permit is required.If in doubt, consult a qualified electrician.Do not use bulbs with wattage greater than specified for this fixture (if applicable).Step 1Remove the wall plate and switch mounting screws so the switch can be pulled from the wall and the wires exposed. Don't touch any of the wires until you've confirmed they aren't carrying electrical current.Step 2Use masking tape to mark the wires that are connected to the switch. These are the wires you need to connect to your new dimmer. If you have a digital camera handy, take a picture of the existing wiring in case you need to refer to it when installing the new switch.If you’re replacing a three-way switch, use masking tape to mark the common wire. This is usually connected to a darker terminal (than the other two wires) on the switch.Disconnect all wires from the old switch by loosening the screws and unhooking the wires. Step 3For a single-pole application of a dimmer switch, which means the light is only controlled by the switch you're replacing, connect the green dimmer wire to the bare copper ground wire in the box using a supplied connector.

Twist clockwise to tighten.For a three-way application of a dimmer switch, which means the light is controlled from this switch and another switch location, connect the common wire from the dimmer, which is typically black, to the common house wire that you marked off earlier with masking tape. Used Bookstore Dickson StreetConnect the other two house wires, called traveler wires, to the other two dimmer wires, as with a standard switch. Shower Curtain With HorsesIn a typical three-way switch configuration, the traveler wires will be red or white with black markings.Gun Dogs For Sale New ZealandStep 4Carefully tuck the wires back into the electrical box.Mount your switch to the wall. Align the switch and tighten the screws.Mount the wall plate to the switch.

Secure it with the wall plate screws.Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker panel or the fuse box.Dimmers, Switches & Outlets Electrical Tools & Accessories SHOP LUTRON OCCUPANCY SENSORS SHOP OUTLETS & RECEPTACLES Shop by Color Family SHOP ADDITIONAL WIRING DEVICES Audio & Video Wall Plates Electrical Tape & Wire Connectors WE'LL HELP YOU GET IT DONE Installing a Dimmer Switch Installing or Replacing a Receptacle Replacing a 3-Way Switch Add a Wall Switch to a Ceiling Fixture Adding an Outdoor Outlet Replacing a Single Pole Switch with a Timer Electrical Testers & Meters Reliability, Trust, Personalized Service & Flexible Financing. Our team of hand-picked, licensed and insured electrical contractors uses top-quality electrical products with a minimum of a one-year labor warranty. With our free MyInstall tool, you'll receive start-to-finish project management to help you keep track of your electrical project every step of the way.

HOME DEPOT FOR DIMMERS, SWITCHES & OUTLETS Get connected and put the perfect finishing touches on your home with the help of The Home Depot. If you are tired of the same old electrical brands, look no further as you can find innovative ideas ranging from traditional to designer looks. We have the ideal product needed, regardless of the design or style you are looking for.Personalize your living space while saving energy and money when you use dimmers for your lighting. Our diverse line of dimmers will help to extend the life of your bulbs while allowing you to reset the mood of any room by varying the intensity of the light.Make the most out of your homes electrical needs with our wide range of switches. Electrical switches are one of the most important parts of your homes electrical system. Delivering high reliability and performance, we have the perfect electrical switch for your project.Most people don't pay a lot of attention to their outlets until they are not working anymore.

If you are planning to do any project using electrical outlets, it's important that you know how to work with them. At The Home Depot, we can help you get the electricity you need, when and where you need it, both safely and securely.If you need assistance, consult our Home Depot Project Guides and we can help to lead  you every step of the way. You can also come to one of our stores and our knowledgeable associates will be glad to answer any questions you might have.Install a new switch to operate you fan from the wall. A single switch often provides only electricity to your ceiling fan, requiring you to utilize chains to turn the lights off and on, and choose a fan speed. You can install a ceiling fan light dual dimmer switch to operate the fan speed and light intensity from the original wall switch location. The new switch does require an additional electrical wire to separate the light from the fan in order to operate correctly. Turn on your ceiling fan at the light switch. Ensure the blades are turning and the lights are burning.

Find the 15- or 20-amp breaker inside your breaker box that powers the ceiling fan. Turn the breaker off to disconnect the electricity. The ceiling fan lights will be off and the fan blades will stop turning when you turn off the correct breaker. Hold a noncontact voltage tester against the ceiling fan wall-switch cover plate. The indicator bulb on the tester will not light when electrical power is not present at the switch. Remove the screws holding the cover plate on the ceiling fan switch. Touch the tester to the two black electrical wires attached to the side of the ceiling fan switch to ensure the power is disconnected. Release the ceiling fan canopy from the hanging bracket on the ceiling by removing the two to four screws holding it. Let the canopy rest against the ceiling fan motor so you can test the wires connecting the ceiling fan to the electrical wires inside the fan's electrical box. Hold the tester against the black electrical wires connected together with a wire connector.

Although you turned off the correct breaker, double-check for power before disconnecting the wires. Untwist the connectors holding the wires from the electrical box to the ceiling fan's electrical wires. Lift the ceiling fan from the hanging bracket and set it on a stable work surface. Release the ceiling fan wall switch from the wall by removing the two screws holding it in the electrical box. Loosen the two terminal screws on the side of the switch in order to release the black electrical wires. Dispose of the original ceiling fan wall switch. Bend the ends of the black, white and bare copper electrical wires inside the electrical box in the ceiling into a hook. Create a hook in the end of a length of 12-3 nonmetallic electrical cable. Hook the wires from the ceiling box to the 12-3 NM cable together. Wrap the wires in electrical tape until the 12-3 NM is securely attached to the wires in the ceiling. Look inside the electrical box that held the ceiling fan switch. Find the wire connectors holding the white wires together and the bare copper wires together.

Untwist these connectors and pull the two sets of wires apart. Grasp the white, black and bare copper electrical wires that run from the electrical box in the wall to the electrical box in the ceiling. Pull the wires from the box in the wall. As you pull the wires, pull the new 12-3 NM cable attached to the wires in the ceiling through the wall and out through the box in the wall. This replaces the original 12-2 NM with the new 12-3 NM cable. Pull the cable until you expose at least 8 inches of 12-3 NM cable at the electrical box in the wall. Cut the tape from the electrical cable to release the old 12-2 NM and discard it. Leave at least 8 inches of new cable exposed at the ceiling box. Insert the ends of the new 12-2 NM cable into the center hole of a cable ripper. Squeeze the ripper’s handles together to rip open at least 6 inches of exterior sheath on the cable ends. Use wire cutters to cut the loose sheath from the cable ends and expose the four electrical wires inside the cable.

Strip about 3/4 inch of insulation off each of the exposed wires, using wire strippers. Place the ceiling fan into the hanging bracket on the ceiling. Connect the black electrical motor wire from the ceiling fan to the black electrical wire from the electrical box. Twist a wire connector onto the black electrical wires to secure them together. Repeat this connection again for the two white electrical wires. Twist a wire connector onto the green electrical wire from the ceiling fan to the bare copper grounding wire from the electrical box to connect the two wires together. Connect the remaining red electrical wire from the ceiling to the remaining electrical light fixture wire from the ceiling fan. Depending on the manufacturer, this electrical wire could be blue, black with a white stripe or black with a yellow stripe. Slide the canopy over the hanging bracket. Secure it with the screws you removed previously. Reconnect the white electrical wire inside the box in the wall to the new white electrical wire, using a wire connector.

Do the same with the two bare copper electrical wires inside the box. Carefully push the two sets of electrical wires to the back of the box. Find the black electrical wire labeled as “line” attached to the ceiling fan light dual dimmer switch. Connect it to the original black wire from the wall box with an orange wire connector. Connect the black electrical wire from the dimmer labeled as “load” to the new black electrical wire you pulled into the wall box with another connector. Connect the red electrical wire from the wall box to the remaining electrical wire on the switch labeled as “light” with a final orange wire connector. Position the dual dimmer switch in the wall box. Secure the top and the bottom of the dimmer switch to the wall box with the screws that came with it. Install cover plate provided with the dimmer switch. Turn the breaker on to reconnect the electricity to the ceiling fan. Things You Will Need Noncontact voltage tester Screwdriver 12-3 Nonmetallic electrical cable Electrical tape Cable ripper Wire cutters Wire strippers Orange wire connectors References Home Depot: Westinghouse Installation and Operation Instructions for the Westinghouse Dual-Slide Ceiling Fan/Light ControlHunter: Quiet Fan Control With Light Dimmer Photo Credits Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images Suggest a Correction