Take over a mystery switch for fan on/off?

[JDRoberts]

@TN_Oldman

I have read where OLD fans could have issues. Where others say HAVE to have right switch for Hunter fans. I am also curious as to why? Always like to learn something new.

Probably a TRIAC issue. Some old fans used a custom step down device that probably wouldn’t work with anything else. You just have to read the specs on the fan and then get a switch that matches those.

Automating Fan Control--Don't Use a Light Dimmer!

Continuing the discussion from Fan Light Dimming - Aeon Labs Aeotec Z-Wave Micro Dimmer: Thanks for the shout. Yeah, basically you need to read the manufacturer’s directions for the fan, and check that against the manufacturer’s directions for the dim control. Rate controls For home use are usually either TRIAC or VFD (Variable frequency drive). A TRIAC controller varies only the voltage. This is what’s typically used for a dimmer light because that’s exactly how you make the light brighter, you give it more voltage. A VFD varies both the voltage and frequency. But more importantly in this context, is how the dimmer knows to turn itself on. The short answer is the dimmer switch itself, if it uses a TRIAC, is very sensitive to changes in the voltage, and basically it can get confused …

@Navat604 or one of the other electrical experts may want to chime in.