Fan Speed Controller

[Dave9]

Hi, i got a 60W osc fan and i was wondering if I can use this to control the speed...

I heard you can't control AC motors because they require the correct voltage and a fixed amount of ampage.

So my questions is: Does this part have a variable frequency?

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/VLFC1.html

cheers

and for the record... I dont think it will work because this isn't like a "dimmer", but more like a switch... am i right?

 

[Dave9]

any advice please guys?
reason i ask because its too loud on the lowest setting, I cant sleep with it on.

I guess i need to buy something like this:

Just a simple Yes or NO will do, thanks

 

[Steve]

osc fan?

 

[Dave9]

osc fan?

yeh oscillating fan, just a normal household fan.

 

[Steve]

I expect either of those switches will be able to control a simple household fan. I cant help thinking they are just dimmer switches in disguise. But a dimmer says "dont use with motors or inductive loads" so there must be some extra circuitry.

the box will need to have cord grips, and preferably, glands, if this is to be portable and wired in flex.

 

[Dave9]

thanks champ, yup of course i will add the safety bits & pieces
yeah I read you need one that will lower the frequency (hz) or a device with some sort of variable resistor.

a dimmer will decrease the amps & volts which works well in lights as bulbs have filaments, but the fan cannot be done this way as ac motors can only run at a certain voltage & amps (i think).

 

[Steve]

thanks champ, yup of course i will add the safety bits & pieces
yeah I read you need one that will lower the frequency (hz) or a device with some sort of variable resistor.

a dimmer will decrease the amps & volts which works well in lights as bulbs have filaments, but the fan cannot be done this way as ac motors can only run at a certain voltage & amps (i think).

not meaning to be picky, but a normal dimmer cuts out part of the sine wave that forms AC. so 50 times a second, it cuts out either the first or last part of each cycle, thus lowering the RMS voltage from 230V. The frequency stays the same, but part of the cycle is missing, so no flickering is visible still at 50Hz.

Lowering the frequency of the mains will make a motor turn slowly, but this is not very easy or cheap to do. And it will make a light filament flicker visibly as the voltage cycles. So i suspect these fan controllers are simply dimmer switches with extra circuitry.

 

[Dave9]

i see, ok thanks mate.
i think it should work, loads of peeps are using the first controller in the pic on this forum i found a few mins ago... so looks promising!

cheers for the reply