petek57

In troubleshooting an Emerson ceiling fan recently I opened up the light/speed switch area and found the speed switch shattered in pieces inside. Simple me decides to pick up a speed switch from a big box store to replace. Lo&behold I have to figure out which wire goes where. Never did figure it out satisfactorily. Ended up installing a remote which took care of everything.

The question is how do most ceiling fan speed switches work? There was a solid state device also in this "junction area" I am guessing that is where the speed is controlled. What could I have done differently?

MDShunk

No, multiple taps of the motor. The numbers molded in the switch might not be in the same place on the replacement switch, but make the wire that was in "2" before go in the "2" hole on the new switch, etc.

__________________
One reason not to give DIY advice:
Catch a man a fish and you can sell it to him.
Teach a man to fish and you’ve ruined a good business opportunity.

Magnettica

The 1, 2, and 3 positions just add more coil turns to make the motor run faster right?

waco

I don't see how repairing a ceiling fan is cost effective. Seems to me, it is a remove and replace, throwaway item.

mattsilkwood

if its a high dollar fan i can see replacing a $5 switch.

MDShunk

Yeah, price a Casablanca fan cd a switch.

__________________
One reason not to give DIY advice:
Catch a man a fish and you can sell it to him.
Teach a man to fish and you’ve ruined a good business opportunity.