I just bought my first house, and I want to add a chandelier to my dining room (there used to be a broken ceiling fan here). Unfortunately, there is not a light switch going to this area. I guess they just used the pull switch on the fan before? I would not mind doing this, but I need to find out if there a kit I can buy to add a pull switch to my chandelier, and if so, where would I find it? If not, is there a way to wire some sort of switch to this area that wouldn't cost too much? I'm on a very tight budget and I really need a light in this area soon. Thanks!!
Julie, Welcome to the Forum
There are wireless switches that will do the job for you.
They consist of a Transmitter that contains a small very long life replaceable battery that sticks to the wall. Some transmitters use a piezoelectric switch to eliminate the battery. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piezoelectricity
The Transmitter sends the wireless On/Off signal to a small receiver that is mounted in the ceiling box that contains the chandelier wiring. The receiver switches the AC power On or Off to the Chandelier. Some models are styled to look like a standard Decora style light switch, while other brands work the same but have a non-standard shape. An additional identical Transmitter can be used at another entrance to the room for convenience in turning the chandelier On or Off. Light dimming can also be done but is usually much more expensive.
The Receiver
There are two main types of Receivers. One type replaces an existing wall outlet and is good to turn On or Off a floor lamp. The second type of receiver goes in the ceiling box and is wired directly between the AC power wires and the chandelier wiring. The Receiver has either a Relay or solid state switch to switch power to the light
No, The only Wireless Switches that I have seen use an RF signal to turn an AC switch (usually a Triac) ON or OFF
AC Dimmer circuits use a low power variable resistor circuit to change the trigger level of the Triac.
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the remotes for every ceiling fan in my house will dim lights, so i am guessing they do exist. in my old house i had X-10 and that would dim the lights as well ( just not flouresent lights)
from a budget standpoint, it would cost a lot less to wire a switch, then to buy a remote ( assuming you can DIY)
You screw it into your always hot fixture, screw bulb into it. buy an x-10 remote and your all set. downside is you need a light fixture that will allow you to hide it. i've seen them in the candelabra base size, but not sure if they still make them
the remotes for every ceiling fan in my house will dim lights, so i am guessing they do exist. in my old house i had X-10 and that would dim the lights as well ( just not flouresent lights)
from a budget standpoint, it would cost a lot less to wire a switch, then to buy a remote ( assuming you can DIY)
You screw it into your always hot fixture, screw bulb into it. buy an x-10 remote and your all set. downside is you need a light fixture that will allow you to hide it. i've seen them in the candelabra base size, but not sure if they still make them
As stated above, there are ceiling fan remote kits that include dimmer functionality for lights. The receiver for the remote usually hides inside the mounting base of the fan. You'd have to make sure that your light fixture could accomodate the receiver (which could be a challenge). Additionally, you'd need to make sure that any leads from the receiver intended to power the fan were capped to prevent hot shorts to the light fixture.
That being said, if you can access the ceiling junction box and pull wires to a new location, it would probably be cheaper to install a dimmer control than go for a wireless solution. Do you have attic access above the dining room?
Mr Chips is right, a remote can do it.
The remote RF signal must use variable frequency changes to change the voltage trigger level of the lamp dimmer Triac.
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