VFD on Ceiling Fan
VFD on Ceiling Fan
(OP)
I have been given the task of finding a way to control the speed of ceiling fans based on outside air temperature. I have located relatively inexpensive Variable Frequency Drives which were developed for use with ceiling fans; however i am unable to find ceiling fan manufacturers with inverter duty rated motors in their product. The VFD manufacturer claims that their VFD will work with fan motors that are Permanent Split Capacitor motors. Will i encounter problems (motor life, noise, etc.) with a VFD driving this type of motor(permanent split capacitor)?





RE: VFD on Ceiling Fan
The application you are describing is way more advanced. Maybe one of the larger industrial ceiling fan manufacturers has a motor with the insulation on the windings rated for inverter duty.
One thing that might help is to put reactors in series with the motor to suppress any voltage spikes.
Talk to a sales engineer at SmartFan, they have control packages that might do what what you want with simple phase clipping.
RE: VFD on Ceiling Fan
Electrical forum237 can be of help to you regarding details.
RE: VFD on Ceiling Fan
http://www.exhausto.com/composite-11.htm