Ceiling fan need physical switch?

[jpcjguy]

Hi all,

I am wiring my screen porch. We will have a single ceiling fan without a light. Does it need to have a physical switch by code?
I currently have a three gang box and will change that to a four gang that will have four independent lights (dining area lights, sitting area lights, flood lights, detached garage lights)
This is an existing switch panel in the house so I would have to cut it out and install an old work four gang.
It would be awesome if I don’t have to have the fan on a physical switch. I feel like most of them are remote controlled anyway.
I have not seen five gang old work boxes and since this is next to the door, I am not sure there is even space between the studs!

 

[Bert_]

I always put the light on a switch, but you don't have to. I wire the fan to constant hot and just use the chain to control it.

I made sure any fan that I buy did NOT have a remote. I have removed and thrown away a few remote / receiver modules for customers.

 

[mm08822]

If it were the only light in a room, then it needs to be switched. You could also have a switched receptacle for a table/floor lamp.

I always run a 3-wire cable to any ceiling outlet, even if 1 conductor becomes a spare based on customer's purchase.

 

[whateg01]

If it were the only light in a room, then it needs to be switched. You could also have a switched receptacle for a table/floor lamp.

I always run a 3-wire cable to any ceiling outlet, even if 1 conductor becomes a spare based on customer's purchase.

For clarity for those who don't know... 3 plus ground

 

[larry4406]

I have had to use stacked switches in new construction when framing prevented a larger box.

 

[jpcjguy]

Good idea about the stacked, but we are going to use toggle dimmers like this:

 

[jpcjguy]

If it were the only light in a room, then it needs to be switched. You could also have a switched receptacle for a table/floor lamp.

I always run a 3-wire cable to any ceiling outlet, even if 1 conductor becomes a spare based on customer's purchase.

It is a screen porch and there will be two areas with 4-6 gimbal lights each on their own switch. Fan will be stand alone with no light.

 

[jpcjguy]

Larry4406 - have to ask why the sad emoji on that switch? I have three of them in my detached garage for almost six years with a bunch of LED lights and working perfectly.

 

[mm08822]

It is a screen porch and there will be two areas with 4-6 gimbal lights each on their own switch. Fan will be stand alone with no light.

The fan on a pull chain is fine........if that's what you want.

 

[jpcjguy]

The fan on a pull chain is fine........it that's what you want.

Planning on remote control. my main question is if code requires a switch?
I plan to use the same brand new circuit I am running for the lights.

 

[mm08822]

Planning on remote control. my main question is if code requires a switch?
I plan to use the same brand new circuit I am running for the lights.

Code only discusses lighting for safety and you are already covered with that otherwise. So you are good with the remote only for the fan. (I'd still run a 3-wire.)

 

[larry4406]

Larry4406 - have to ask why the sad emoji on that switch? I have three of them in my detached garage for almost six years with a bunch of LED lights and working perfectly.

The sad emoji was because my suggestion was negated by your desire to use slide dimmers. So, my suggestion of a stacked switch was not useful.

My house in the garage, I have (2) 2-gang boxes vertically stacked. Framing would not permit a 3-gang or 4-gang box. I’ve had to do this in new construction as well due framing limitations.

 

[jpcjguy]

The sad emoji was because my suggestion was negated by your desire to use slide dimmers. So, my suggestion of a stacked switch was not useful.

My house in the garage, I have (2) 2-gang boxes vertically stacked. Framing would not permit a 3-gang or 4-gang box. I’ve had to go this in new construction as well due framing limitations.

Ah! Sorry - thought the sad emoji was because you had bad experience with these. I totally forgot about the stacked though, so your idea might be used elsewhere!

 

[wyliesdiesels]

those wireless remotes can **** out and then you have no control. I have had to replace many of them in customers' houses

 

[sparky 1971]

Get a fan with pullchains and add an aftermarket remote. That way, when the remote fails, you can throw the remote away and either replace it or run the fan the old fashioned way. Fans that are remote controlled only are fine until they don't work.

 

[Dig Doug]

I have 3 ceiling fans in the garage tied to 1 remote control and they are All on high

the remote has a little holster and it’s next to the surface mounted light switch …

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Get a fan with pullchains and add an aftermarket remote. That way, when the remote fails, you can throw the remote away and either replace it or run the fan the old fashioned way. Fans that are remote controlled only are fine until they don't work.

this

 

[dave*99]

The nice thing about remotes is you can have 3 fans running at 3 different speeds and 2 different directions. So then you can yell at your wife for not knowing how to work the fans.

 

[ripperd]

It is a screen porch and there will be two areas with 4-6 gimbal lights each on their own switch. Fan will be stand alone with no light.

That is essentially our screenporch config. 4 puck leds on a physical dimmer and outside the circle of the fan to prevent strobing. I hardwired the fan to always on power and the inspector didnt say anything. We use the remote 100% of the time for fan control. Although it does have a pull cord in case we cant find the remote.