Featured Article
Welcome to Sagopa Fan Supplies!
How To Service A Table Fan
A common problem with some Table Fans is that the propellor does not rotate when the fan is switched on. In this scenario a sound is heard coming from the motor but when the propeller is turned manually it is found to be stuck. If the table fan is functioning correctly, the propeller should rotate smoothly according to the force applied to it. This problem is usually caused by the accumulation of dust that has jammed the motor shaft preventing it from turning smoothly.
If this is the case, removing the back cover and the lever will reveal a layer of dust and dirt around the motor. Use a vacuum cleaner together with a brush to clean up the dust. You should also see a motor starting capacitor attached beside the motor. This is the Metallized Polypropylene Film type of capacitor. The function of the motor start capacitor (AC motor capacitor) is to provide that electrical “push” to get the motor rotation started. Without a motor starting capacitor, when the voltage is applied, the motor will just sit and hum. You csan easily solve this problem by manually spinning the propellor. This should be enough to getthe motor to start and run normally.In this scenario, the capacitor is not the problem as the symptoms indicated a jammed shaft that was preventing the propellor from spinning.
As you have the fan open, you could remove the capacitor and check it with a digital capacitance meter to see if the capacitance is within range or not. The tolerance for this type of capacitor is about 10%. If the capacitance value is significantly lower than this then it should be replaced with a new one. You should ensure that the replacement has the same or higher voltage and ideally should have the same capacitance. You can easily get a motor starting capacitor from any electronic distributors. Once the capacitor has been refitted the fan can be serviced.
Start by spraying an oil base to the contact that is preventing the shaft from rotating. The oil should allow the shaft to to rotate smoothly when manually turned. Now when you switch on the fan the motor should run normally. Switch off the fan and now apply some grease into the back gear that controls the fans ability to be in a fixed position or to swing. Note: Always use grease here as oil sprays can cause the back gear to wear out faster.
You should find now that when starting the fan it will operate just like a new fan. Servicing a table fan is not difficult and you can try servicing one in your home. Just remember to be safe and ensure the fan is unplugged before you start your fan’s service.
