anyone know what you call the speed switch in a ceiling fan?

JohnCU

Banned
Dec 9, 2000
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you know, when you pull the string, and it switches from off -> high -> medium -> low, that switch. i pulled it the other day and the string broke off inside the thing. i took it apart and there's basically 4 wires and a rotating element and when you pull the string it switches to a different contact.

i wired it up to just be on high 24/7 but eventually i need to find a replacement. anyone know where i can get one?
 

lokiju

Lifer
May 29, 2003
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You could take the opportunity to just install a remote for it since with those you just leave it on high anyway.

It reduces the power to the motor to slow it down IIRC.

Something like this.
 

mugs

Lifer
Apr 29, 2003
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I've bought pull switches before at Home Depot, I'm sure they had four-way switches too. You don't need to know what it's called, you just need to know what it does.
 

JohnCU

Banned
Dec 9, 2000
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Originally posted by: mugs
I've bought pull switches before at Home Depot, I'm sure they had four-way switches too. You don't need to know what it's called, you just need to know what it does.

haha okay thanks, i didn't figure they would have ceiling fan parts but i'll go look.
 

Elstupido

Senior member
Jan 28, 2008
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We carry them at Home Depot, it's called a 3 speed ceiling fan switch. Ask any electrical dept. associate.