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EC Fans - Growing in Popularity

The document discusses EC fans which use brushless DC motors that are more efficient than AC motors. EC fans can be drop-in replacements for AC fans while providing the same or higher airflow with significantly less power. They have built-in variable speed control which allows substantial energy savings. EC fans are ideal for appliances and HVAC systems due to their energy efficiency and other advantages like longer lifetime.

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Karl Kruse GmbH and Co.KG
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65 views2 pages

EC Fans - Growing in Popularity

The document discusses EC fans which use brushless DC motors that are more efficient than AC motors. EC fans can be drop-in replacements for AC fans while providing the same or higher airflow with significantly less power. They have built-in variable speed control which allows substantial energy savings. EC fans are ideal for appliances and HVAC systems due to their energy efficiency and other advantages like longer lifetime.

Uploaded by

Karl Kruse GmbH and Co.KG
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EC Fans – Growing in Popularity

Energy conservation is of ever increasing importance in today’s world. About 25% of the primary
energy consumption in the residential and commercial sectors is used by electric motor-driven
systems and components in appliances and equipment. Replacing existing equipment with advanced
energy-efficient motors results in a substantial reduction in energy usage and cost. For today’s
demanding applications that require increased electrical efficiency, EC (electronically commutated)
fans represent a significant advancement in power savings technology, providing cooling and air flow
solutions.

What Are EC Fans


EC fans are powered by brushless DC motors, which are also known as EC motors. Due to its inherent
design that uses permanent magnets to generate a secondary magnetic field rather than copper
windings, DC motors can be up to 30% more efficient than AC motors . Brushless DC motors are
typically 85-90% efficient while brushed DC motors are generally in the range of 75- 80% efficient;
the brushed motors lose efficiency from brush friction. The increased efficiency of the brushless
motor means that less energy is lost as heat, while more energy is turned into rotational force and
therefore power.

EC motors are controlled by external or onboard electronics that convert the incoming AC power
signal to the DC voltage needed by the motor. The electronic circuitry performs the function of the
mechanical commutation that switches the direction of the current and the magnetic field polarity
to induce the motor’s rotation. As adjusting the power to the EC motor controls the EC fan speed,
thereby improving performance, the design allows for more accurate and efficient motor control.
Why Use EC Fans
As long as the interface between the fan and the device is left unchanged, EC fans can be used in
most applications where AC fans are used. When this interface is properly designed, EC fans can be
used as “drop-in” replacements for AC fans. Compared to AC fans, EC fans are the same size while
offering the same or higher airflow capacity — all with significantly less power.

Because they have built-in variable speed control a A large portion of the energy efficiency of EC fans
occurs. Small reductions in the fan speed lead to large reductions in the power requirement, since
the relationship between the fan speed and the power required by the fan is a cube function.
Precisely controlling the fan speed to match the airflow demand of the application can result in
substantial energy savings.

High efficiency EC fans have gained popularity and are being used in applications where there is a
need to meet energy efficiency regulations, yet they offer other advantages as well. EC motors avoid
the sparking and potential electromagnetic interference of brushed motors. They have longer
service life due to the smaller heat losses and lower operating temperatures. The lower operating
temperature means that the fan does not have to do extra work to remove wasted heat that is
generated by the motor itself. EC motors offer a wide operating window of fairly constant efficiency
over a range of speeds due to their variable fan speed control, when compared to AC motors, which
tend to have peak efficiency at a single speed. In addition, EC motors require little to no
maintenance and provide increased reliability. Since EC fans have lower operating costs, this leads to
shorter payback periods for new equipment.

EC fans are ideal for use in major home appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, ovens, range
hoods, microwaves, dishwashers and clothes washer-dryers.

Originally used only in high-end appliances, they are now used in high volume/mass market
appliances due to their energy savings advantages (i.e., their higher efficiencies). Additional
applications may include air conditioning units, heat pumps, furnace fans, dehumidifiers, beverage
vending machines, automatic icemakers, commercial appliances, commercial chillers, duct fans for
ventilation, condenser units and extraction fans for removing smoke and exhaust. However, the
biggest uses for motor-driven elements in both the residential and commercial sectors are
refrigeration and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning).

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