Anyone recognise these fan controllers?

[sparkticus]

//media.diynot.com/166000_165410_35710_14443926_thumb.jpg

Its an awful picture taken with a mobile phone by the client. I'm going there on Tuesday to look at why the lights are out on three controllers and why the fans won't turn. Apparently there is only one MCB for all fans which is situated on a 3Ph&N board so it looks like the speed controllers are dead!!
The writing on the controllers is blurred but only reads something like "Fan Control" No indication of manufacturer.

Here are the fans. they look clearly like single phase to me.
//media.diynot.com/166000_165410_35711_36320203_thumb.jpg

 

[ColJack]

try posting links to the full size pictures and not the piddly little thumbnails, can't see anything from those..

 

[flameport]

Pictures:

Untitled

• sparkticus
• 15 Jul 2011
• 1

Untitled

• sparkticus
• 15 Jul 2011
• 1

The most likely problem is the thermostat has failed. This can be seen in the picture below the set of three controllers.

 

[sparkticus]

The most likely problem is the thermostat has failed. This can be seen in the picture below the set of three controllers.

Thanks flameport, yea I did think of that but the rightmost of the group of three only stopped working yesterday. The other two stopped several weeks ago. They called for support since all three are now not running. Still possible the first two are on a failed stat and the third a different failure mode.

PS, thanks for posting pictures in the forum, was not sure how to do that.

 

[oasistechnical]

i think they look like roof units group / vent axia i think own them now, just going to check............. yep vent axia own them now, but it still the same kit, just a different name on the box!.........

vent axia SP and SPTK series single phase electrical/electronic range
should be able to order them thru your normal electrical wholesaler, not TLC or sheds,
go to one of the main ones!!

Oasis

i know i am usually on the Alarm side of things, but remember i am a commercial electrical contractor, dont do domestic, HATE IT.

 

[sparkticus]

i think they look like roof units group / vent axia i think own them now, just going to check............. yep vent axia own them now, but it still the same kit, just a different name on the box!.........

vent axia SP and SPTK series single phase electrical/electronic range
should be able to order them thru your normal electrical wholesaler, not TLC or sheds,
go to one of the main ones!!

Oasis

i know i am usually on the Alarm side of things, but remember i am a commercial electrical contractor, dont do domestic, HATE IT.

Brilliant, thank you oasistechnical

I hate domestic X2

 

[flameport]

How long have those thermostats been there - they look much newer than the rest.

If they are Honeywell 6360s, they are only rated to 2A for inductive loads, so will quickly fail in this situation.
Other than that, loose wires in the thermostat (if someone has tried to cram 3 wires into each terminal for example)

 

[sparkticus]

How long have those thermostats been there - they look much newer than the rest.

If they are Honeywell 6360s, they are only rated to 2A for inductive loads, so will quickly fail in this situation.

They look very dodgy don't they!! I don't know how long they have been there but I agree they look newer. Seems there are cowboys in the commercial world too. I can't wait until Tuesday when I get there. Probably a rats nest of departures from BS7671

 

[ColJack]

internal fuses gone? ( some have them, not sure on that type )

fuse gone in the FCU?

 

[sparkticus]

Thank you again to all the responded. They were roofing unit fan controllers.

turned out to be a real mess

1) 3 fan controllers dead triac open circuit on all 3.
2) Single main feed to all units wired in 1.5mm T&E unprotected by a type B 20amp merlin gerin MCB (which I was told used to trip when fans started - no surprise there!!!)

3) Stat contacts under-rated/overloaded

4) Thermal contacts open in one of the four fans.

5) No coordination between supply fan VS extraction fans.

6) Fans not cleaned in a very long time (probably 20 years)

7) Nightmare getting them down.


Plan:

1) Replace one fan
2) Replace main feed with 2.5mm 4 core SWA (two feeds in one cable)
Cable has no choice but take damp exposed rout from 3Ph&N db to fan control position.
3) Replace single 20 amp type B with two separate 20amp type Cs (stop fan motor inrush from disconnecting)
4) Replace stats & buffer fan switching with appropriate contactors.
5) Discard all fan speed controllers - fans need to be at maximum to ventilate large underground basement anyway.
6) Don't allow supply fan to run without extraction fans running.
7) Clean fans (wearing mask and overalls !!!)