Fan speed switch: why OFF :: HIGH :: MED :: LOW?

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Many fans, including inexpensive floor models, have a rotary speed control which rotates from OFF to HIGH to MED to LOW. Since the switch does not rotate 360°, you have to rotate it backwards to shut it off. This has always slightly annoyed me, because it appears to make no logical sense to have to speed the fan up to turn it off.



Why are the speed settings from fastest to slowest? This design seems counter-intuitive, but I assume there is a good reason because the design is so common.






motor switches induction-motor fan







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    up vote
    2
    down vote

    favorite












    Many fans, including inexpensive floor models, have a rotary speed control which rotates from OFF to HIGH to MED to LOW. Since the switch does not rotate 360°, you have to rotate it backwards to shut it off. This has always slightly annoyed me, because it appears to make no logical sense to have to speed the fan up to turn it off.



    Why are the speed settings from fastest to slowest? This design seems counter-intuitive, but I assume there is a good reason because the design is so common.






    motor switches induction-motor fan







    share|improve this question

























      up vote
      2
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      2
      down vote

      favorite











      Many fans, including inexpensive floor models, have a rotary speed control which rotates from OFF to HIGH to MED to LOW. Since the switch does not rotate 360°, you have to rotate it backwards to shut it off. This has always slightly annoyed me, because it appears to make no logical sense to have to speed the fan up to turn it off.



      Why are the speed settings from fastest to slowest? This design seems counter-intuitive, but I assume there is a good reason because the design is so common.






      motor switches induction-motor fan







      share|improve this question















      Many fans, including inexpensive floor models, have a rotary speed control which rotates from OFF to HIGH to MED to LOW. Since the switch does not rotate 360°, you have to rotate it backwards to shut it off. This has always slightly annoyed me, because it appears to make no logical sense to have to speed the fan up to turn it off.



      Why are the speed settings from fastest to slowest? This design seems counter-intuitive, but I assume there is a good reason because the design is so common.






      motor switches induction-motor fan




      motor switches induction-motor fan






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      edited 1 hour ago









      Charles Cowie

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      asked 2 hours ago









      RichF

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          Fans of that type have induction motors with two windings with a capacitor in series with one of the windings. For every individual motor design there is a certain capacitor value that allows the motor to develop maximum torque and operate the the maximum speed. Smaller capacitor values are used to reduce the torque so that the load overcomes the motor's torque and slows the motor down.



          When the motor is turned on, the motor must overcome the static friction of the bearings and get the fan moving. It must then accelerate the motor inertia. That means that using the highest torque setting is desirable for starting the motor. Once the fan is moving, the torque can be reduced for lower speed operation.






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            Usually because the design of the switch means that resistor 1 (R1) can be used for high, then R1 + R2 for medium etc






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              Fans of that type have induction motors with two windings with a capacitor in series with one of the windings. For every individual motor design there is a certain capacitor value that allows the motor to develop maximum torque and operate the the maximum speed. Smaller capacitor values are used to reduce the torque so that the load overcomes the motor's torque and slows the motor down.



              When the motor is turned on, the motor must overcome the static friction of the bearings and get the fan moving. It must then accelerate the motor inertia. That means that using the highest torque setting is desirable for starting the motor. Once the fan is moving, the torque can be reduced for lower speed operation.






              share|improve this answer
























                up vote
                2
                down vote













                Fans of that type have induction motors with two windings with a capacitor in series with one of the windings. For every individual motor design there is a certain capacitor value that allows the motor to develop maximum torque and operate the the maximum speed. Smaller capacitor values are used to reduce the torque so that the load overcomes the motor's torque and slows the motor down.



                When the motor is turned on, the motor must overcome the static friction of the bearings and get the fan moving. It must then accelerate the motor inertia. That means that using the highest torque setting is desirable for starting the motor. Once the fan is moving, the torque can be reduced for lower speed operation.






                share|improve this answer






















                  up vote
                  2
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  2
                  down vote









                  Fans of that type have induction motors with two windings with a capacitor in series with one of the windings. For every individual motor design there is a certain capacitor value that allows the motor to develop maximum torque and operate the the maximum speed. Smaller capacitor values are used to reduce the torque so that the load overcomes the motor's torque and slows the motor down.



                  When the motor is turned on, the motor must overcome the static friction of the bearings and get the fan moving. It must then accelerate the motor inertia. That means that using the highest torque setting is desirable for starting the motor. Once the fan is moving, the torque can be reduced for lower speed operation.






                  share|improve this answer












                  Fans of that type have induction motors with two windings with a capacitor in series with one of the windings. For every individual motor design there is a certain capacitor value that allows the motor to develop maximum torque and operate the the maximum speed. Smaller capacitor values are used to reduce the torque so that the load overcomes the motor's torque and slows the motor down.



                  When the motor is turned on, the motor must overcome the static friction of the bearings and get the fan moving. It must then accelerate the motor inertia. That means that using the highest torque setting is desirable for starting the motor. Once the fan is moving, the torque can be reduced for lower speed operation.







                  share|improve this answer












                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer










                  answered 1 hour ago









                  Charles Cowie

                  18.5k11136




                  18.5k11136






















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                      0
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                      Usually because the design of the switch means that resistor 1 (R1) can be used for high, then R1 + R2 for medium etc






                      share|improve this answer
























                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote













                        Usually because the design of the switch means that resistor 1 (R1) can be used for high, then R1 + R2 for medium etc






                        share|improve this answer






















                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote










                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote









                          Usually because the design of the switch means that resistor 1 (R1) can be used for high, then R1 + R2 for medium etc






                          share|improve this answer












                          Usually because the design of the switch means that resistor 1 (R1) can be used for high, then R1 + R2 for medium etc







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered 1 hour ago









                          Solar Mike

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