Can a clip on fan catch fire?

[Guest]

I went to check on the plants a little earlier and noticed that the clip on fan had stopped working.
I checked it with another socket (not via variac), still dead.
Swapped the fuse over for a new one. Still dead.

I was browsing as to how to fix it when all of a sudden the fan started. I then swapped it back to it's original socket (via variac) and has continued to work.

It may need a clean as it's over 6 years old. Can these fans catch fire at all?
Thank you.

[CanEhDiana]

Anything electric could theoretically catch fire if you're unlucky. I would be cautious if i were you since it already has stopped working for some reason.

[CanEhDiana]

Anything electric could theoretically catch fire if you're unlucky. I would be cautious if i were you since it already has stopped working for some reason.

Thank you.

It was strange that it had stopped, but stranger that it came back on again. I am hoping that it will blow a fuse before it catches fire. I'll try and give it a clean and see if there was anything that could have stopped it.

[CanEhDiana]

When you try it out after the cleaning do it while you have it close by in case you need to unplug it. That way you will see if it starts smoking or something. Good luck mate

[CanEhDiana]

When you try it out after the cleaning do it while you have it close by in case you need to unplug it. That way you will see if it starts smoking or something. Good luck mate

Thanks for the tip. I've never known it to do this before.

[MrNice]

variac............? why aspie

[The Aspie Toker]

variac............? why aspie

Yes, I have me extractor fan and the clip-on fan on the variac.

[MrNice]

variac............? why aspie

Yes, I have me extractor fan and the clip-on fan on the variac.

I would not have my clip on fan on a variac no need wat clip on 4in 6in like 15w or 25w very low energy wise
extractor yeah i would on a veriac for the fans
for fuses you can get Quick Blow Glass Fuses aspie if ya worried bout fan catching fire work much faster then normal plug fuse

[The Aspie Toker]

variac............? why aspie

Yes, I have me extractor fan and the clip-on fan on the variac.

I would not have my clip on fan on a variac no need wat clip on 4in 6in like 15w or 25w very low energy wise
extractor yeah i would on a veriac for the fans
for fuses you can get Quick Blow Glass Fuses aspie if ya worried bout fan catching fire work much faster then normal plug fuse

It's too noisy and too strong not to have it on a variac.

I'll give it a clean tomorrow if I can. Take it from there.

[CanEhDiana]

Yes, I have me extractor fan and the clip-on fan on the variac.

I would not have my clip on fan on a variac no need wat clip on 4in 6in like 15w or 25w very low energy wise
extractor yeah i would on a veriac for the fans
for fuses you can get Quick Blow Glass Fuses aspie if ya worried bout fan catching fire work much faster then normal plug fuse

It's too noisy and too strong not to have it on a variac.

I'll give it a clean tomorrow if I can. Take it from there.

Ok un plug for this but i spray a little bit wd40 round fan spindle near motor for a bit of lube helps older fans ........not too much let sit for a bit then plug back in wipe of any excess