Before you install your remote controlled ceiling fan – what kind did you purchase? Or have you made your purchase yet? The two most common kinds of remote controlled ceiling fans are wall control switch, and hand-held remote control. The advantage to the wall switch is you can’t lose the remote, as you can with a handheld. If you are bad with remembering where you put things, then it might be in your better interest to purchase a ceiling fan with a wall switch.

Installing the receiver

A small box shaped like a rectangle with tiny buttons. This small box will be your receiver and it will have three to four wires coming out of it. The receiver has DIP switches, these are the tiny little buttons that you see. First, take the battery and insert it into the proper place on the receiver (look for labels, diagrams or instructions). The wires you have will probably be black, blue, copper, white and green.

Setting the DIP switches

If you are installing just one ceiling fan in the home, you don’t need to worry about the way the dip switches are set. As long as the dip switches are set the same way on the fan as they are on the remote, you’re good.

The tricky part comes when you are installing more then one fan into the home. Setting the dip switches alternately, or differently from one fan to the next, is important in this case. The reason for that is because if both fans have the dip switches set the same way, it can cause conflicts. If dip switches are set the same way on both the fans, one will turn on when the other turns on. One will turn off when the other turns off, etc.

Preparing the junction box

Ensure that the junction box can support the weight of your new fan. Common weight for a fan is around 40 to 60 lbs. Ensure the electricity is off in the home before attempting to wire the fan or touch the wires at all.

Attaching the housing to the ceiling

Once the plate is installed, you’ll need some kind of hook or way to hang the fan. You don’t have three hands so this can be a bit of a pain. You may need to have someone hold the fan for you while you’re working. Make sure the receiver is nicely situated inside and follow instructions for connecting the housing to the plate. Seal the deal with set screws.