As you are aware, ceiling fans use single-phase motors and require a capacitor to operate. In the ceiling, we employ capacitors, each of which has three wires. This capacitor has three wires, one for ordinary use and the other two for varied capacitance values.
However, the ceiling fan 3-speed capacitor we use in fans is mostly for speed control. In fans, we utilize a speed regulator switch to control the speed with a capacitor.
Wiring Diagram of 3 Speed Fan Capacitor
Below is a basic and simple figure of an external connection that links the ceiling fan, fan speed regulator, and ON/OFF switch to a single-phase power supply at home. The internal connection of the running coil/winding, starting coil/winding, and the capacitor is also shown.
A motor requires two windings: one to run the motor and another to start the motor. The ceiling fan is powered by a single-phase induction motor that does not self-start. A single-phase AC motor requires two independent phases to produce a rotating MMF (Magnetomotive Force), which in turn rotates the rotor.
How Do You Wire a 3-Speed Fan Control
Perform the following steps to wire a 3-speed fan controller:
- Turn off the power at the circuit breaker panel or fuse box.
- Install the controller in a regular single-gang wall box.
- Connect the wall box, power source, and fan units to be controlled via the conduit. Allow around 4 inches of wire in the box for connections as the following figure.
- Connect the wires as shown. Connect the black wire from the supply line to one of the controller’s black wires. Connect the controller’s second black wire to the fan motor’s black wire. Connect the supply line’s white wire to the fan motor’s white wire.
- Make sure the wire strands are straight and twist the control wire leads to the circuit wires together to attach them. Wrap a wire nut around each connector. The cover dent on the cover plate indicates the upward position.
- When using a solid state speed controller, the fan will make humming noise at a low speed. This hum does not affect the fan’s operation and is acceptable in most commercial/industrial settings.
How Do You Wire a 3 Wire Capacitor
Perform the following steps to wire a 3- wire capacitor:
- Remove the power supply cord from the electrical socket – in other words, ensure that all power to the device being repaired has been switched off.
- Remove the old starting relay while keeping the old overload protection.
- Connect the wire with a single pin terminal to the air conditioning compressor’s “start” terminal.
- Connect the other wire with the pin termination to the air conditioning compressor’s “run” terminal.
- Connect the old starting relay line to the spade terminal on the “run” wire (insulating sleeve).
- Restore power to the grid
Many systems will have these terminals designated so that the three leads on a start/run capacitor may be wired correctly: S stands for Start wire connector, R stands for Run wire connector, and C stands for Common connector.
What Color Wires Go to 3 Speed Fan Switch
Black capacitor wire connects to a reverse switch at terminal 2. Blue capacitor wire (3µF, 350V) goes into the motor housing. Red capacitor wire (3.5µF, 200V) goes to switch terminal 3. Yellow capacitor wire (6µF, 200V) goes to switch terminal 1. The figure below illustrates the connection clearly:
How Do You Wire a Capacitor to a Fan
The ceiling fan has two windings, one that is running and one that is commencing. The capacitor must be connected in series with the starting winding and then across the power supply. The running winding, on the other hand, must be linked directly across the power supply.
You can see the connection of the ceiling fan with the regulator and switch in the figure below. Connect the switch in series first, then the regulator, and finally the ceiling fan.
Can I Use 3.5 Capacitor in Ceiling Fan
To solve the expensive cost and correct maintenance of capacitor start motors, a fixed rated (usually 2.5F to 3.5F) capacitor is utilized permanently in the motor (known as capacitor start capacitor run motors).
An alternating flux can be separated into two fluxes that revolve in opposite directions, according to the double field revolving theory. Let us simplify the complex scenario: a single-phase induction motor can be started by adding an auxiliary winding and a capacitor linked in series.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Does a 3-Speed Fan Work
The first two wires of a three-speed fan are the fan’s power supply wires. The third wire is directly connected to the output of the built-in ‘Hall Sensor’ chip, which provides output pulses during fan spinning. A monitoring circuit can see the rotation with the help of this third wire.
Why do ceiling fans need a capacitor?
The switch housing inside a fan has a black box which is a capacitor. This is a key component of the fan that allows it to function properly. The capacitor is utilized to not only start but also spin the fan. Simply put, the capacitor generates a magnetic flux (torque) that causes the fan to rotate.
Conclusion
The outer terminals of the ceiling fan are red, black, and blue. The majority of ceiling fans have three wires outside. You can also observe in the ceiling fan winding connection that one terminal of each winding is joined together and brought outside as a common wire.
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