Development of Power Line Communication for DC Ceiling Fan Control

This paper presents the design and development of a power line communication (PLC) system for controlling DC ceiling fans, aiming to replace conventional infrared (IR) remote control. The proposed system transmits control commands via existing AC wiring, addressing key limitations such as remote signal crosstalk, loss, and maintenance overhead. A low-frequency 120 kHz carrier is used to ensure minimal interference while remaining compatible with Malaysia's power line standards. The transmitter modulates control signals onto the power line, while the receiver extracts and decodes these signals to emulate IR commands. Experimental results confirm reliable end-to-end operation with minimal modification to the original fan hardware. This work demonstrates a low-cost, infrastructure-friendly solution for integrating legacy appliances into smart control systems.