What is the black box inside my ceiling fan?

Category: home and garden home appliances
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The capacitor is a small black box inside the fan with wires leading to the chain. Examine it for signs of melting or tearing -- that would indicate a simple replacement. If the fan hums but the blade don't turn then the motor is fine and it's the capacitor that's at fault.



Besides, is it safe to remove wattage limiter in ceiling fan?

Yes, it is absolutely safe to remove wattage limiter from the ceiling fan. You might have to cut off a couple of connectors that come with the fan and use some twisted caps instead. You need to work with the wires, so ensure power is turned OFF!! The pull chain switch usually has two wires, let us call them A and B.

Likewise, why does the ceiling fan work but not the light? When your ceiling fan lights quit working, the answer to why they quit isn't always as straightforward as a burned-out light bulb. This can cause loose wire connections anywhere from the wall switch to the light kit. Damaged light sockets and a broken pull chain switch can also cause the fan's lights to stop working.

Additionally, what is inside a ceiling fan?

A ceiling fan consists of a few basic parts, namely an electric motor with a housing, blades and the “irons" that hold most types in place, and a downrod or other mounting device.

What is a power limiter?

In electronics, a limiter is a circuit that allows signals below a specified input power or level to pass unaffected while attenuating (lowering) the peaks of stronger signals that exceed this threshold. Limiting is any process by which the amplitude of a signal is prevented from exceeding a predetermined value.

34 Related Question Answers Found

How does a power limiter work?

An electricity limiter is a device a distribution company installs on your meter after receiving a 'De-energize for Non-Payment' request from your retailer. If too much electricity is used at one time, the limiter will 'trip' and turn off your power.

Does a fan have magnets?

In a ceiling fan having DC motor, the current passes through a series of magnets with opposite polarity. The resistance between the magnets creates a torque which powers the rotor.

Why does a fan have 3 blades?

Technologically, the lesser the number of blades, higher the air delivery. This is one of the reasons why industrial fans (like wind turbines) usually only have two or three blades. They can go faster and move more air. Higher speed fan does help out with increasing air delivery efficiency.

Can a ceiling fan fall off?

A ceiling fan that breaks free from its ceiling mount can be deadly. Wobbling will not cause the fan to fall, and there have been no such reports. Wobbling can, however, cause light fixture covers or shades to loosen and potentially fall. These items should be securely attached, with all screws tightly set in place.

Are ceiling fans dangerous?


Letting ceiling fans run for long spans of time can also run up your electric bill. These home appliances are also common homes for dust and dust mites, which tend to accumulate on the blades. If you've got allergies, simply turning your fan on could cause you to have a reaction.

How much weight can a fan hold?

A typical ceiling fan weighs between 8 and 50 pounds when fully assembled. While many junction boxes can support that weight while the fan is hanging still, a fan in operation exerts many additional stresses—notably torsion—on the object from which it is hung; this can cause an improper junction box to fail.

Is a wobbling ceiling fan dangerous?

A wobbly fan is not only distracting and annoying, it can be incredibly dangerous. A little bit of wobbling is normal, but if your ceiling fan is clearly shaking, it can potentially come crashing down at any moment.

How much winding does a ceiling fan need?

Motor Used in Ceiling Fans:
Ceiling fans work using a single phase induction motor with windings of 18, 20 or 22 poles. The operating speed of the ceiling fan depends on the number of winding poles present in the ceiling fan. Most commonly used winding poles in ceiling fans is 18 poles.

How do ceiling fans change speed?

The idea behind a capacitor regulator remains the same, which is to adjust the voltage across the motor of the fan. Now, when you increase the capacitance, the voltage across the capacitor decreases but that across the fan motor increases. Accordingly, the speed of the fan increases.

How fast do ceiling fans spin?


Non-reversing ceiling fans are allowed to have slightly higher RPMs. UL actually states the limitations based on the maximum allowed speed of the tip of the fan blade at 3200 feet/minute for 3/16" thick blades and 2400 feet/minute for 1/8" thick blades.

How do I reset my fan remote?

Reset the fan remote
If you want to reset the remote: Turn off the ceiling fan using the remote. Wait for about 30 seconds before turning the power on. Within those seconds, hold down the off button on the fan for about ten seconds.

What causes a fan to stop spinning?

Each fan uses a motor within the fan's housing behind the spinning blades. The motor begins rotating when the on switch activates, causing the attached blades to spin as well. Corroded bearings will eventually seize, causing fan turning failure for both the oscillating feature and blade movement.

What happens when a ceiling fan capacitor goes bad?

Most ceiling fans use a type of motor known as a “permanent split capacitor motor. If the case appears burnt or melted in any way, that is also the sign of a bad capacitor and it should be replaced. Keep in mind that there may be other components in the circuit with the defective capacitor.

How do you troubleshoot a ceiling fan?

If your ceiling fan will not start, use the following steps to determine cause of the problem:
  1. Check the circuit breaker to confirm the power is on.
  2. Turn the power off the circuit breaker.
  3. Make sure the fan blades spin freely.
  4. Confirm the reverse switch is not in a neutral position.

How do you troubleshoot a Hunter ceiling fan?


How to Troubleshoot a Hunter Ceiling Fan
  1. Turn the house power on.
  2. Loosen the fan canopy, and check all connections.
  3. Inspect the plug connection in the switch housing.
  4. Push motor reversing switch firmly up or down.
  5. Remove any remaining shipping packaging.
  6. Check the blade bracket screws, and tighten if needed.
  7. Check the blade screws, and tighten if needed.

How do you fix a fan that won't turn on?

Here's how to get started to see if a simple fix is within reach to make your fan work again.
  1. Check the Cord.
  2. Check Your Circuit Breaker.
  3. Check for Power to Your Outlet.
  4. Check the Fan Fuse.
  5. Replace the Cord.
  6. Clean the Fan.
  7. Grease the Motor.
  8. Call Customer Support.

How do I reset my Hampton Bay ceiling fan remote?

Reset your remote control. First, turn off the power. Then remove the batteries from the remote and wait 10 seconds. Replace the batteries and turn the power back on.