Variable Fan Speed Wiring

[shelbyz28]

I have two ceiling fans in my shop that have 5 wires; 3 hots, 1 neutral, 1 ground.
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/hvac/fans/ceiling-beam/industrial-ceiling-fan-white-60

and trying to save money, I wired them both on one controller:

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/h...riable-speed-switch-control-4-fans-reversible

Thinking I was brilliant, I then put a switch in each fan's neutral wire so I could turn them on independently. What I found, is though they don't run, they hum slightly and build heat. Am I SOL with regards to turning the fans off independently without adding a second controler?

 

[nehog]

Yes, what you are trying to do won't work. You need to use two controllers with separate wiring (at least for the three hot wires.)

 

[wyliesdiesels]

And u should never switch the neutral!

 

[shelbyz28]

Alright, so for my own education, does anyone have a good link to how those variable speed fans controllers work?

 

[dogdog]

I have two ceiling fans in my shop that have 5 wires; 3 hots, 1 neutral, 1 ground.
http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/hvac/fans/ceiling-beam/industrial-ceiling-fan-white-60

and trying to save money, I wired them both on one controller:

http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/h...riable-speed-switch-control-4-fans-reversible

Thinking I was brilliant, I then put a switch in each fan's neutral wire so I could turn them on independently. What I found, is though they don't run, they hum slightly and build heat. Am I SOL with regards to turning the fans off independently without adding a second controler?

maybe go find yourself 2x triple pole single throw switches ? Not sure pricing for those two switches would be equivalent to the new controller if not more....from their manual, at least if you swap blue red, the fan goes in reverse...... maybe if you find triple pole double throw center off, you can even make one fan reverse and the other fan goes forward while it is still variable for giggles... dunno.....the second part is Maybe...