Solent fan control and shuttle dimmers

[Tradie]

Anyone experienced issues with solent fan control modules and Shuttle dimmers?

They cant seem to work together, if you switch on the lights, it works fine, if you try switch on the fan, the lights flicker, if you increase the speed to 2, the lights flicker then settle etc etc.

If you turn the fan control to 5, it switches the lights off. Then you have to reset the dimmer module, If you turn the fan control back to 0, the light switch off again and you have to rest the modules.

[Tradie]

⚡ Likely Causes

1. Electrical Noise / Interference (EMI or RFI)
   • Silent fan controllers (especially electronic or “thyristor/triac” types) chop up the AC waveform to control fan speed.
   • This can inject electrical noise (spikes or harmonics) back into the circuit.
   • LED dimmers — particularly shuttle dimmers — can pick up this noise, causing the LED downlights to flicker, pulse, or change brightness.

---

1. Shared Neutral or Line
   • If the fan and LED lights share a neutral or live conductor, interference from one will affect the other.
   • Ideally, each dimmed circuit should have its own neutral return to avoid this coupling.

---

1. Load Compatibility
   • Many LED dimmers and fan controllers are not designed to work on the same circuit or even on the same phase line close together.
   • Shuttle dimmers use leading-edge or trailing-edge control, and fan controllers often use phase-cut as well — when combined, these can distort the waveform enough to confuse the LED driver.

---

1. Poor Quality or Unfiltered Fan Controller
   • Cheaper or unshielded controllers can emit significant electrical interference.
   • A “silent” fan controller isn’t necessarily electrically silent — it may only mean it doesn’t make an audible hum.

---

1. LED Driver Sensitivity
   • Some LED downlights have very sensitive internal drivers that react to small voltage fluctuations.
   • These can pick up the electrical noise from the fan controller, especially on low dimming levels.

---

Possible Solutions

1. Separate Circuits
   • Run the fan and LED lighting on different circuits or at least different neutrals.
2. Install an EMI Filter
   • A line filter or noise suppressor (LC filter or ferrite choke) on the fan controller’s feed can reduce interference.
3. Upgrade to Compatible Dimmers
   • Use fan speed controllers and LED dimmers that are specifically designed to coexist (some brands test this).
   • Shuttle offers trailing-edge dimmers that can sometimes be less sensitive.
4. Use a Capacitor Suppressor
   • A small RC snubber (capacitor + resistor) across the fan motor or dimmer output can help absorb voltage spikes.
5. Check Earth and Wiring Layout
   • Ensure good grounding and no loose neutrals, which can make noise worse.

[Tradie]

⚡ Likely Causes

1. Electrical Noise / Interference (EMI or RFI)
   • Silent fan controllers (especially electronic or “thyristor/triac” types) chop up the AC waveform to control fan speed.
   • This can inject electrical noise (spikes or harmonics) back into the circuit.
   • LED dimmers — particularly shuttle dimmers — can pick up this noise, causing the LED downlights to flicker, pulse, or change brightness.

---

1. Shared Neutral or Line
   • If the fan and LED lights share a neutral or live conductor, interference from one will affect the other.
   • Ideally, each dimmed circuit should have its own neutral return to avoid this coupling.

---

1. Load Compatibility
   • Many LED dimmers and fan controllers are not designed to work on the same circuit or even on the same phase line close together.
   • Shuttle dimmers use leading-edge or trailing-edge control, and fan controllers often use phase-cut as well — when combined, these can distort the waveform enough to confuse the LED driver.

---

1. Poor Quality or Unfiltered Fan Controller
   • Cheaper or unshielded controllers can emit significant electrical interference.
   • A “silent” fan controller isn’t necessarily electrically silent — it may only mean it doesn’t make an audible hum.

---

1. LED Driver Sensitivity
   • Some LED downlights have very sensitive internal drivers that react to small voltage fluctuations.
   • These can pick up the electrical noise from the fan controller, especially on low dimming levels.

---

Possible Solutions

1. Separate Circuits
   • Run the fan and LED lighting on different circuits or at least different neutrals.
2. Install an EMI Filter
   • A line filter or noise suppressor (LC filter or ferrite choke) on the fan controller’s feed can reduce interference.
3. Upgrade to Compatible Dimmers
   • Use fan speed controllers and LED dimmers that are specifically designed to coexist (some brands test this).
   • Shuttle offers trailing-edge dimmers that can sometimes be less sensitive.
4. Use a Capacitor Suppressor
   • A small RC snubber (capacitor + resistor) across the fan motor or dimmer output can help absorb voltage spikes.
5. Check Earth and Wiring Layout
   • Ensure good grounding and no loose neutrals, which can make noise worse.