Electronic Speed Controllers

Electronic fan speed controllers offer continuous variable speed control, meaning that you are not restricted to just three discrete speeds. They are based on leading edge dimming principles, controlling the amount of power delivered to the motor by “chopping” out parts of the waveform, thus control the speed. They have the disadvantage in that they can sometimes introduce audible noise (hum) in the fan motor. The amount of noise depends largely on the quality of the motor. The advantage of the electronic controller is that you can control multiple fans from a single controller (up to 8 Airflow Ceiling Sweep Fans per Controller), allowing convenient control over larger living spaces.Selected Clipsal Electronic Fan Controllers also incorporate a “Kick-Start” feature, which provides a burst of power at startup, assisting to overcome the initial inertia of the fan and enabling the motor to get up to speed faster. This cools the room faster and thus making you more comfortable more quickly, and also saves energy. The kick-start feature is also advantageous when controlling older fan motors, overcoming motor stiction at startup. For added safety and convenience, the Clipsal Universal Dimmer Range is also fully compatible with small motor loads, and is recommended for fan speed control. The on-board short circuit protection facilities ensure ultimate protection against surge damage due to inrush currents normally generated at motor startup. It also ensures safe shutdown in case of motor stall.