Random questions about electrical things....

[Kern Dog]

Why is it that a fan switch isn't always linear?
In other words, with 4 settings, #1 gives 20% speed, #2 gives 35% speed, #3 gives 50% speed and setting #4 gives FULL speed.
Why?
Also, in the case of cheap household box fans, why is the first setting from OFF usually the highest setting? I have had a few that had the configuration of:
OFF, HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW.
What sense is there in that?
These things confuse me.

 

[Beekeeper]

Not sure about the blower speeds but the the reason on the box fan is to give the motor full voltage to get started which is easier on the motor therefore making it last longer. If it’s on the slowest speed and unplugged then plugged back in the current the motor draws will be higher
placing more burden on the motor.

 

[DeltaV]

Cube Law. Give this a shot.

https://www.inverterdrivesystems.com/cube-law/

 

[DeltaV]

Why is a box fan a box when the the blade tips scribe a circle? That always annoyed me.

 

[Wonder Woman]

Shocking conversation.
But somewhat enlightening.
Carry on.
I may learn something.

 

[Kern Dog]

I was hoping for a simpler explanation.
I wondered if in the case of automotive applications, maybe there was a resistor that was getting old.
My truck...2007 Ram 1500. The jump from fan speed from #3 to #4 makes no sense. Why wouldn't the speed increase in linear amounts? 25%, 50%, 75% then full speed?

 

[747mopar]

Why is it that a fan switch isn't always linear?
In other words, with 4 settings, #1 gives 20% speed, #2 gives 35% speed, #3 gives 50% speed and setting #4 gives FULL speed.
Why?
Also, in the case of cheap household box fans, why is the first setting from OFF usually the highest setting? I have had a few that had the configuration of:
OFF, HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW.
What sense is there in that?
These things confuse me.

I only use high on box fans so it works for me? What drives me mad is car stereos that require a manual every time you have to change something, hate them! I want a button for every feature not an elaborate series of pushing, holding and scrolling through crap!

 

[Scott Engelhardt]

Why is a box fan a box when the the blade tips scribe a circle? That always annoyed me.

So it fits in a window

 

[BB14404SPD]

Why is it that a fan switch isn't always linear?
In other words, with 4 settings, #1 gives 20% speed, #2 gives 35% speed, #3 gives 50% speed and setting #4 gives FULL speed.
Why?
Also, in the case of cheap household box fans, why is the first setting from OFF usually the highest setting? I have had a few that had the configuration of:
OFF, HIGH, MEDIUM, LOW.
What sense is there in that?
These things confuse me.

Depends on the internal resistors they add in the switch for steps. Since they are made overseas you get backward steps. On ceiling fans they use a capacitor. Most of the time they slow down because the cap goes bad. Box fans are cheap so no cap to control speed. If you want to speed up your ceiling fan just change the cap to a higher rated one.

 

[dadsbee]

I just wanna know why that once the smoke comes out nothing works anymore....

 

[mopar 3 B]

Why do new cars still have starters? With individual coil packs and port injection all being computer operated a preprogramed search feature should be all that is needed.

 

[BB14404SPD]

I just wanna know why that once the smoke comes out nothing works anymore....

Smoke is installed in the factory. One time use.

 

[kiwigtx]

I just wanna know why that once the smoke comes out nothing works anymore....

Smoke usually only escapes when a code has been violated....or a worker has been neglectful.

 

[Ron H]

Cube Law? Wasn't this a TV series back in the 50's?

 

[moparedtn]

NOS smoke is so rare that it goes for big $$$ and is basically unobtanium.

 

[moparedtn]

So it fits in a window

Or stands up on its' own on the floor without need for additional hardware...

 

[Slap Stick]

With Lucas electronics the smoke is a design feature.

 

[Beekeeper]

I just wanna know why that once the smoke comes out nothing works anymore....

Jerry you do know they sell bottles of smoke to pour back in

 

[moparsaver]

 

[kiwigtx]

Jerry you do know they sell bottles of smoke to pour back in

You can now buy small sachets of smoke for those minor deviations in circuitry failure.
Specially designed for the home handyman market.

A more pressing question is directed at @Kern Dog - why is it that since the advent of the portable nail-gun, do builders/carpenters (hammer jockeys) see fit to increase the number of nails shot into a job by 10 fold???? Has the game gotten so easy now, that the constant banging and metallization of timber construction, that any mug can be a builder? Or is that accuracy has fallen off as generations of 'tradesmen' have progressed through the evolutionary cycle?