PWM or 0-10v speed control for 220v ac fans.

[dakure]

Hi,
I am trying to control the speed of a line of fans from systemair with EC. (Electronically commutated/1 phased).
This fans accept different options to control them like inputs from 0 - 10 v and also PWM. (0-10kh).
The Fan is a single phase 220v - AC.
I hope somebody can clarify some doubts I am having.

a) I assume pwm is better than 0-10v output cause I read it in the forum but I am not sure. Is it true?

b) Can the pwm (0-10kh) signal come straight from the pi or I need some hardware in between them .

c) You can see the wiring diagram by systemair attached. I can´t understand all the components in the green part.
Is it some circuit I need to add or I can connect the pwm output of the pi straight to the fan?

Hope somebody can help or give me advice on the best approach to do this.

Thank you all.

[Brandon92]

Hello,

Take a look at this topic:
viewtopic.php?f=37&t=220214

This is the exact same question and I made a schematic + a simulation for that
If you have question, I will be happy to answer.

Brandon

[dakure]

Thank you so much.
I need to confess that I am completely lost on resistors transistors and circuits in general. I have problems catching the diagrams also. It s just not my field.

I understand the zener is just a protection but my main concern is the wiring and putting everything together.
How to mix this 15v input with the output pwm pin fom the pi without burning the board? Can you explain how the pi come into place with this power inputs?
Also I see many things of your diagrams that I can t understand compared to the wiring instructions.

Since it looks very common this way to control fans is there some board or some commercial solution I could buy that make this circuit between the fan and the pi?

My main goal is control this fan from node-red. Another approaches are welcome also.

Thank you again!

[drgeoff]

I need to confess that I am completely lost on resistors transistors and circuits in general. I have problems catching the diagrams also. It s just not my field.

In that case I strongly advise that you make no attempts yourself but instead engage the services of someone who is qualified to design, install and commission 220 volt AC systems..

[dakure]

Thank you, I am very used to plan electric installations as architect and very aware of dangers of high voltage. I am just trying to learn something.
Brandon, from the last diagram attached of Bortek can you just tell me what represents Pin1, Pin2 and Pin3? Is this pin3 really doing something?
I assume the GPIO is the pwm output.
Thank you again

[Brandon92]

I need to confess that I am completely lost on resistors transistors and circuits in general. I have problems catching the diagrams also. It s just not my field.

In that case I strongly advise that you make no attempts yourself but instead engage the services of someone who is qualified to design, install and commission 220 volt AC systems..

Thank you, I am very used to plan electric installations as architect and very aware of dangers of high voltage. I am just trying to learn something.

Okay. However I think it is importend that you know how a schematic "works" and how you can read it and build it. So, get some raspberry pi kit with a breadboard, leds, resistor, transistors, ect. Then you can learn safely how it is all working, before you connect it to a device that is direcly connected to the mains voltage. And also, when you connect your rpi to the fan. You need to remember that it could be possible that your Rpi is directly connected to the mains. If it is fan is faulty, or someone connect is wrong. And then your "save" ground of your pi is connected to the live or neutral wire. And that is deadly for you and the attached hardware. So, it is best that you can not touch the pi if it connected to the fan. And also no monitors connected to it ect.

With that all said:

Brandon, from the last diagram attached of Bortek can you just tell me what represents Pin1, Pin2 and Pin3? Is this pin3 really doing something?
I assume the GPIO is the pwm output.

Like I said before, I think the best way is to build this schematic and use a led as a load. In stead of the ac fan. So, you get some experience with this. And I don't know if there is something that is ready to use. By the way, you will learn the most if it is not working directly

To come back to your question. Could you compare the datasheet of Bortek his fan to the one you have. And lets see if you can find the answer. This will probably also answer about pin 3.

[dakure]

Hi,
I tried my best to the point I understand I need a commercial solution and they are quite affordable.
I am between two approaches and still I don t have a clear idea wich is best for what I am looking for.
I will open another post to ask about the some technical questions about this products.
Happy new year and thank you again for your support.

[Brandon92]

Thanks

Okay, that is a good decision to buy a off the shelf solution. Then you know for sure that it is save to your. If it is from a well know seller.