Wiring – Is it possible to replace a ceiling fan speed controller with a switch

ceiling-fanlightingwiring

Is it possible to replace a ceiling fan speed controller with a switch? I just bought a house that had a ceiling fan with no light, which used a fan speed controller on the wall with different speeds. I added a light to the ceiling fan and would like to replace the fan controller with a light switch, that will turn both the light and the fan on. You would have to control each with the chains that hang from the fan. I replaced the fan controller with a light switch and it didn't work. Does it need to be connected differently? I only connected the 2 black wires and the ground. It is a one pole switch.

Best Answer

Sure you can do this. The fan speed controller should have 2 terminals, swap it with a single pole switch. If it's a digital controller it might also have a neutral - just put a wire nut over it and only connect the switch between the hot wires.