Interfacing tl494 pwm controller to arduino

[husyn]

Hello Everyone,
I'm trying to interface tl494 pwm controller to Arduino Uno but don't know exactly that which pin of tl494 should be connected to which pin of Arduino? Please help me out in this regard. Waiting for your Response.

[madires]

Some more details about what you're trying to accomplish would be helpful.

[cthree]

Agreed. A little detail would be nice. You do know there is PWM capability built into the micro controller right? I'd be interested to know why you are using an additional external PWM controller. What is you application?

[husyn]

Actually I have been assigned a duty by my Supervisor to control a dimmer that operates an electric fan so I am trying to interface an external PWM Controller tl494 to arduino uno and also a solid state relay.

[c4757p]

Let me get this straight: You want to use an Arduino to control a TL494, which will output a PWM signal, and then that PWM signal will switch the SSR, which controls the fan?

1) Arduino (AVR ATmega) can directly output PWM, there's no need for the TL494. TL494 is used in all-analog circuits like switching power supplies.
2) SSRs aren't used for motor speed control. This would typically involve a TRIAC and some external control circuitry. (The SSR may very well contain a TRIAC, but it's not configured for the type of control you'd use for this.) You need to do some research on AC motor speed control circuits.

[leb120]

Is the motor in the fan AC or DC?
AC light dimming is usually accomplished by Phase control (a method of PWM for power limiting, applied to AC voltages).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phase_fired_controllers

I know this is used for lighting, but not sure how different types of AC motors will behave, will probably make the fan noise unless you use filtering on the output.
Bast AC motor speed control is VFDs, but this is probably overkill for small fans. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Variable-frequency_drive
Here is an existing thread about AC fans https://www.eevblog.com/forum/beginners/arduino-pwm-controlled-ac-motors/.


DC light dimming is usually accomplished by Pulse-width modulation (PWM).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse_width_modulation

This is very common with LEDs and no filtering, they actually blink very quickly but thanks to Persistence of vision you eye sees it as a continuous glow.
With or without filtering this is commonly used on DC fans, some brushless DC fans (computer fans) may not like unfiltered PWM, but some have four wires, one of which can be fed a PWM control signal.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brushless_DC_electric_motor

in either case I don't see what a "tl494" does for you, if you do need PWM the Arduino can generate PWMs.
http://www.ti.com/product/tl494

[c4757p]

You can buy fan speed controllers...

[free_electron]

Whoa. Now we're in to 3 phase fan control ?
How many kilowatt is that fan ? 3 phase control is a bit more complicated....

[husyn]

The ceiling fan is about 60-100 watts

[c4757p]

Let me know if you find a three phase ceiling fan, I want to see it.

Seriously, dude, not to be rude, but if you don't know the difference between a three-phase motor and a single-phase, you should not be anywhere near implementing your own speed control. Just buy one! Let's not be starting any fires or electrocuting ourselves.

[leb120]

Maybe it's a 3 speed ceiling fan?

If it is, this actually wouldn't be hard to switch between two different speeds, just replace the fan switch in the housing with a relay.
You might be able to change to low speed during load shedding and switch back to normal selectable speeds the rest of the time

Also, most wall dimmers and fan speed controllers are not just potentiometers, they use Phase control.
They are going to be a little less efficient as slower speeds, but not nearly as bad as you are thinking, is isn't just a big resister in series.
Most fans are going to be less efficient as slower speeds anyways even if you use the build in low on a fan's switch.