How to fix a ceiling fan making noise? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: Priyal7865
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 02, 2019, 06:55:29 am
content: Have a query about the noise made by ceiling fans? Searching for the reasons for this noise and how to fix the problem?Sometimes, I find some ceiling fans making noise while they are ON and sometimes ceiling fan makes noise on low speed. Whatever type of noise it may be, it irritates us.Why do fans make noise? Is it due to noisy ceiling fan Bearings? What are the other reasons for making such noise and how to fix the noise problems in ceiling fans?

author: Rerouter
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 02, 2019, 09:28:26 am
content: Generally the first place to start is to clean the blades, most noise on these units come from an imbalance of the blades, bias all the blades the same direction (e.g. tugged out) before tightening the screws to maintain the balance,Next up try flicking the summer / winter switch if your fan has one, this is more to reduce what could be the issue, If it goes away here, something may be rubbing in the fanIf none of that worked, as a last check, take the blades off and set the thing to low speed, if the noise is not there, then its either the weight of the blades loading a bearing (replace motor territory) or something funny is going on, and it gets harderMost of the designs I have come across do not make it easy to open the motor assembly for maintenance, but if it has bushing (the really cheap fan motors tend to) then a bit of sewing machine oil should reduce or resolve it.

author: Priyal7865
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 04, 2019, 07:06:40 am
content: Thank you very much...!!!

author: mikerj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2019, 12:52:02 pm
content: Ceiling fans with the typical three speed switch make more noise at low speed due to the way the motor speed is controlled. These use an induction motor with various different capacitors switched in to control torque; at low speeds they are operating with a large slip and the resulting torque ripple creates an audible noise. To fix this, use a variable frequency drive to control motor speed, or use a fan with a brushless DC motor and suitable speed control rather than an induction motor.

author: Bashstreet
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2019, 05:05:45 pm
content: Quote from: Priyal7865 on July 02, 2019, 06:55:29 amWell i think you got lot of good tips.It really depends how old they are. If they quite new and been making the noise always then it just is what it is.But if they getting older they tend to wear out (bearings if they have such things etc)Lubricating right places can temporarily repair or reduce the noise but sometimes it just is too far gone.Best of luck hope cleaning them can help the issue and remember be carefull mains voltage ain't fun.Cheers.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 04, 2019, 07:42:20 pm
content: If the fan is out of balance, you can put a paper spring clip on one blade to fix it. Farther from the center to increase the force. Just move it around until it stops wobbling.Motors will also get noisy and hum loud if mains power quality is low. You might find the fan is noisy during the day but not at night when industry is not using lots of power from the grid.