Ceiling Fan Receiver Speed Control. (Capacitor or PWM)

[ThomsCircuit]

Got this universal receiver and I just want to know if you can tell by looking at it if this unit controls the fans speed with capacitors or PWM?

 

[rjenkinsgb]

Switching capacitors, by the look of it.

 

[ThomsCircuit]

Switching capacitors, by the look of it.

I realize now that an AC motor cannot be controlled by PWM. I see there are two caps and the receiver connects one or two of them together to control the fans speed.

 

[ThomsCircuit]

Switching capacitors, by the look of it.

Question. If I apply 120v to the input of the receiver and toggled through the speeds with the remote control how would i measure the output to determine the capacitors uf value for each speed?

 

[ThomsCircuit]

Im sure you must be scratching your head about my question but in my defense I have tried contacting the so called manufacture who did not know what PWM was. So I got my info from a reviewer about the fans speed control. I do see he was incorrect. What I have realized is the PWM portion of this receiver is just to control the light. This device dims incandescent and LED bulbs.
Now as the capacitors values go I have found directions to test this run/start capacitor with the meter to resistance/capacitor. Then the associated diagram tells me the uf value for each speed.
NOTE: the image of the capacitor does not match the values in the diagram. Its just for reference.

The receiver that I referenced in post#1 does not say what uf combination makes up each speed. The manufacture does not know. I was able to find that the 2 two capacitors in the receiver are rated at 5uf and 6uf. I just want to know is there a way that I can figure this out?

 

[Les Jones]

The information shown for the speed switch tells you how things ar connected for each speed setting.

High speed.
Full mains voltage direct to aux winding, Mains voltage to run winding in series with 4 uF. (The two 5 uF capaciitors are not connected.

Med speed.
Mains voltage to run winding via 10 uF (Two 5 uF in parallel.). Aux winding fed from top of run wining via 4 uF.

Low. speed.
Mains voltage to run winding via 5 uF. Aux winding fed from top of run wining via 4 uF.

Les.

 

[ThomsCircuit]

The information shown for the speed switch tells you how things ar connected for each speed setting.

High speed.
Full mains voltage direct to aux winding, Mains voltage to run winding in series with 4 uF. (The two 5 uF capaciitors are not connected.

Med speed.
Mains voltage to run winding via 10 uF (Two 5 uF in parallel.). Aux winding fed from top of run wining via 4 uF.

Low. speed.
Mains voltage to run winding via 5 uF. Aux winding fed from top of run wining via 4 uF.

Les.

Thank you but I know this. Im referring to the image in post#1.
Could I apply power to the receiver then read the resistance on the receivers output by connecting my multimeter to the load and line? The two black wires. If so,, What would I set my meter to?

 

[rjenkinsgb]

Could I apply power to the receiver then read the resistance on the receivers output by connecting my multimeter to the load and line? The two black wires. If so,, What would I set my meter to?

No; it's not resistance, it is capacitive reactance.

With the two caps in the unit, the only possible combinations are:
Bypassed (full speed)

11uF Medium speed (both caps in parallel),

6uF low speed, or
5uF low speed

If it has three total speeds, it's just using 6 or 5 for low speed.
If it has four speeds, it's using all possibilities.

 

[ThomsCircuit]

No; it's not resistance, it is capacitive reactance.

With the two caps in the unit, the only possible combinations are:
Bypassed (full speed)

11uF Medium speed (both caps in parallel),

6uF low speed, or
5uF low speed

If it has three total speeds, it's just using 6 or 5 for low speed.
If it has four speeds, it's using all possibilities.

Thank you so much!