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wired55 · Jan 7, 2008, 11:28 PM

:) Looking for some information on using a 220 fan with 110 voltage. Can this be done?

oneguyinohio · Jan 7, 2008, 11:36 PM

Even if it can be done, it might not be safe. It could cause overheated wires and become a safety hazard. I wouldn't suggest it without consulting an electrician. Something like that might cause a lot of issues with liability on insurance purposes etc...

labman · Jan 8, 2008, 04:38 AM

If it is not too big of a fan, you can buy a transformer. Even a dedicated 20 amp 120 volt circuit can only deliver 1800 watts and some would be lost in the transformer. You might compare prices of fans and transformers. A 120 volt fan might be cheaper.

wired55 · Jan 16, 2008, 10:39 PM

Thanks much to both oneguyinohio and labman. Sounds like it's not very practical and if it were like labman stated, just buying a 120 fan might be a lot cheaper.

Sorry for such a late response... and thanks again.

ceilingfanrepair · Jan 17, 2008, 04:54 PM

If you have reason to use this specific fan, i.e. it's a model not available in the US, it can be done. A step-up transformer, as labman mentioned, will work fine as long as the fan does not exceed the rated amperage.

Stratmando · Jan 18, 2008, 07:11 AM

If you HAD to have that fan, I would get 240 volts to it.

ceilingfanrepair · Jan 18, 2008, 10:22 AM

So that we may better answer you, what type of fan is this and how much current does it draw? What are the ratings on the motor nameplate and/or instructions?

donf · Jan 18, 2008, 10:30 AM

I disagree, this can be done simply (over simplification of the word simply) enough by just changing the drop from 120 to 240 with the correct conductors for the needed amperage.

Now how much design work would need to go into that is a totally different matter. First, you need to know if the LRA will allow a 240 VAC fan to be attached to the ceiling. Then what are you going to do to support the weight of the fan? You may need to apply for a variance just to get that far.

Next, if you are on a three wire system and the conductors are of the correct size to carry the amperage then its just a matter of selecting the proper dual pole breaker. If you are on a four wire system, then it's still pretty trivial providing the conductors are the correct size.

However, if you need to drop 30 amp of 240 off at the fixture and you only have #12 AWG (20 amp) conductors, well now you have hit a stopper. You would need #10 AWG conductors from the breaker to the outlet box.

Clear as mud?

wired55 · Jan 18, 2008, 10:37 PM

:eek: Yes. Clear as mud... :confused:

Back to U on the fan specs.

donf · Jan 19, 2008, 12:04 AM

Wired55,

Here the simplified version. I hope.

You have a fan that uses 220 VAC. Correct (one of my buddies pulled such fans out of a N.Y Central RR station on the Harlem River line that was to be collapsed.

Any way, the fans just needed some minor work a then to be installed. Personally, if we could have mounted them horizontally they probably could have flown a 747 at least until the line cords popped out of the wall!

Instead of trying to get the fans to work on 120, we set the fans to use 240 / 20 amp hardwired. No mus, no fuss, we just used what they were designed to work with.

Since we did this in a barn, we did not have to worry about "white noise radiation or any other household interference. The only downside was weight and again since we were using a Barn Truss, who cared. We put 5" roundheads bolts with 1/2 thick soft rubber washers and bolted the fan up.

That was about 15 years ago and I far as I know they are still up in the rafters. However, the barn may have collapsed by now.

ceilingfanrepair · Jan 19, 2008, 12:18 AM

Hey Don, were these ceiling fans, like this:

Or more high-velocity types, like this:

?

donf · Jan 19, 2008, 01:15 AM

The fans were short drops inside the terminal and the longer drops on the platform. The two fans we snagged were over the ticket cages.

There were several other fans but these were belt driven beasts that no one wanted. I don't recall the fins at the end and of course they were more of an green olive drap as opposed to the traditional olive drab. N The blade size looks about correct.

ceilingfanrepair · Jan 19, 2008, 09:55 AM

Belt drive fans usually draw a ton of current. Not surprised they were 240.

Stratmando · Jan 19, 2008, 05:53 PM

I thought a while back I saw a post by TK? That said you couldn't use 240 fans, don't remember if it meant 240 volt fans couldn't be ceiling mounted? Or if in US?

ceilingfanrepair · Jan 19, 2008, 06:39 PM

I've never heard that. I've dealt in HVLS fans that use 240 (or a 3 phase supply) and are ceiling mounted.

But whatever TK says, goes.

Stratmando · Jan 19, 2008, 06:50 PM

It was probably 6 months or more ago. Maybe he will see this post and respond.
I could be totally wrong.