1. Home
  2. ⏚ Electrical Engineering
  3. Variable speed fan

Variable speed fan

I am in the UK. Can anyone recommended a 6 inch (150mm) window-mounted extractor fan for a kitchen. Good value is important as I'm on a budget.

I want a fan that is not too noisy or too powerful as the kitchen is small (under 30 cu metres).

Could I use a variable speed controller like this one

formatting link
with any fan?

Or does the fan have to be of a certain type? For example, able to run at slow speeds, have a certain number of "windings", use a particular method of starting, or whatever.

------

My old fan was 255cu m/hr (35W) and it was claimed the noise was 49 dBA. It was quite loud (1800 rpm) and too powerful.

Reply to
John
Loading thread data ...

I once used a stock standard DIY shop extraction fan, connected to a dimmer designed for inductive loads.

Worked totally flawless for a very long time. (sold the house - probably still working)

Fan was quite loud at full blast, but whisper silent at ~30% duty. I used it in the bedroom for ventilation, so quitness was nice to have.

Reply to
Blarp

Your link page not found. If you only need to quieten the fan down you probably dont need a controller at all, see

formatting link
formatting link
'd only need one reduced speed, so just one capacitor (&bleed R)

NT

Reply to
meow2222

----------- Most small fans will have a shaded pole induction motor. You can use a variation of a dimmer to control this fan over a limited range but the device should be rated for motors rather than incandescent lights as the cheaper ones for lights may not handle switching an inductive load. As I recall it is about 1.5-2 times the price of one of similar rating for lights. I have one (designed for motors) on a fireplace blower and this has a lower limit setting which I set to avoid stalling (no cooling of the windings if the fan is not turning could limit its life)- something that I consider essential. This works well. Starting is at full voltage but the noise can be reduced appreciably -with an associated drop in extraction and it is fully adjustable between maximum and the minimum setting. A similar device in a kitchen extraction fan that I have is not as effective because the back pressure in the duct is a problem and less control is possible- a window unit should not have this problem. --

Don Kelly snipped-for-privacy@shawcross.ca remove the X to answer

Reply to
Don Kelly

PolyTech Forum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.