Industrial Ceiling Fan Buying Guide

While every location is different in terms of its needs, there is no denying that a ceiling fan can help keep everyone cool and comfortable. When the setting is an industrial area, the need for a fan becomes more pressing as you strive to create a work environment your employees will enjoy working in every day. This is where our industrial ceiling fan buying guide comes in! Let's take a look at some of the most important aspects to consider ensuring you get the right fan for the job.

Before we get started on how to choose the right one, the first thing to go over in an industrial ceiling fan buying guide is the difference between this fan type and residential or even commercial fans. Many people wonder if they can simply install a residential or commercial fan in their industrial setting because those tend to cost less, but this would be a bad idea for a few reasons. For starters, industrial fans are made with larger blades and a larger diameter, as well as offering more powerful motors and even different materials, such as steel, aluminum, or composite material over typical plastic or wood blades, to help the fan last longer in tougher environments or from the constant use required of an industrial fan. The most important thing to keep in mind when shopping for an industrial fan is that you choose one designs for industrial use.

Size

The matter of size when shopping for a fan is the biggest factor to keep in mind. Industrial fans can run anywhere from 56 inches in diameter to an impressively large 24 feet but a unit that large is only used in especially larger locations under certain circumstances. For the most part, 56 inches-74 inches is an acceptable size for industrial settings such as warehouses, hangers, fabrication shops, and other industrial settings. When deciding which size is best suited to your space, the size of the room is worth noting. For most spaces, a room that is smaller than 350 square feet needs a fan of 52-56 inches while any space over 350 square feet should upgrade to 60 inches for the best airflow. Of course, this is assuming you will only have one fan per room of that size. If you are looking to add more airflow to a room, you can also choose to install two fans at a safe, equal distance to help create better airflow.

Factors to Consider

It is important to note that the size is only one factor you need to consider when buying a fan. Let's take a look at a few other important aspects to keep in mind.

People working in the space. If there are a lot of people working in the space, you may want to consider installing two or more fans. This is because the more people you have in a space, the warmer it tends to get. It's important to note however that fans are not a replacement for proper air conditioning, but rather a means to move the cool air from the ceiling down to the rest of the room where workers are present.

Type of work being performed. The type of work being performed may also dictate the size, type, or number of fans in the space in an industrial setting. For example, if the work involves a lot of fumes or heat, you will need a higher-powered fan or multiple fans on the space to accommodate for the nature of the work.

Mounting hardware. Fans are designed to take the air from the ceiling and circulate it down to the rest of the room. If a fan doesn't have enough room to work between the ceiling and the fan, it makes it harder for the air to circulate. Most fans are mounted on a rod extending down from the ceiling to the motor and blades, however, you want to keep in mind the size of the space and the cooling needs when looking at this aspect. A fan with a longer rod will have an easier time circulating the air over one with a shorter mounting rod which keeps the blades too close to the ceiling.

Motor. Motors in industrial fans are either AC or DC and the difference is an important factor to consider. An AC motor or alternating current plugs directly into a power source or plug which allows it the ability to reverse currents so the current runs between the power source and the fan motor. A DC or direct current are plugged into a transformer which then connects to the power source or plug. An AC motor is less efficient in terms of energy consumed over DC motors which is why many businesses choose DC, but if there are other reasons associated to your decision, an AC motor is still a reliable choice provided you are only looking to install a few fans rather than a few dozen fans.

Airflow rating and CFM. The air flow rating is measured in cubic feet per minute or CFM. This figure indicates the volume or amount of air the fan can move per minute. It's important to keep this in mind because the larger the space, the lower the time frame should be to ensure it is capable of moving the air around for proper air circulation. To find the right airflow rating for the size of your space, divide the size of the room in cubic feet by the suggested CFM of the fan as specified by the manufacturer. You want it to be less than 5 minutes for the air to circulate to avoid the space becoming hot and stagnant.

Wind Speed. The wind speed is essentially how fast a fan can move air down to the ground and this factor needs to be considered. While this is also partly calculated into the CFM, you still need to consider it based on the work area. For example, a fan with a high wind speed wouldn't be ideal in a location where a fast fan could cause things to blow away such as papers whereas a fan in an area with a lot of fumes or heat would benefit from a faster wind speed.

Choosing The Right Fan  

The biggest factor facing the longevity and efficiency of cooling fan motors inevitably concerns the ability of equipment to handle demands of friction and heat stress. A cooling dc fan motor could theoretically be in operation around the clock and in place for a longer overall lifespan than most other industrial equipment.

Finding the right balance of power and cooling ability, counterpoised by energy efficiency and maintenance cost are key. It can be a daunting task, especially if the fan is responsible for cooling critical equipment. But, by following the steps below, you can be confident that you’ve made the right choice.

1. Consider Thermal Analysis

How much heat is the system estimated to generate? How many cubic feet per minute (CFMs) of air will need to be moved by a cooling fan to reach and maintain a proper, functional operating temperature?

Thermal resistance, surface temperatures of mechanisms within a unit, the temperature of fluids within an apparatus and their expansion potentials, and failing point of materials are all focal points when deciding on the proper cooling fan.

When conducting thermal analysis, the temperature source should be accounted for typical and worst-case scenarios. Once this is determined, an effective air–flow requirement can be established.

2. Determine the System Impedance

As air is taken into and exhausted from a cooling fan and therefore removed from equipment, a cooling system will lose air pressure. System Impedance is simply the sum of pressure drop throughout a system.

The more air paths—e.g. the more exhaust venting, intake valves, and overall system length and complexity within a cooling system—the greater the margin of error for controlling system impedance rises. Determining overall capacity and integrity of a cooling fan and connected systems will further enable efficient determinations of static pressure and needed ventilation can be established.

3. Determine if you actually need a fan, or if a blower makes more sense

Air flow and pressure dynamics are the biggest considerable differences between choosing a fan or blower system. Blowers operate against a high-pressure gradient and deliver air flow perpendicular to the blower axis.

In contrast, fans work against low pressure environments and produce high air flow rates parallel to their fan blade axis. Blowers create much higher air pressures and are generally much louder than fans. Blowers can be gear–driven air pumps and are most effective when dealing with a disparity of air pressure in an application.

Whether a fan is oriented centrifugally or axially is also a concern when choosing the proper cooling fan motor.

Centrifugal fans produce markedly higher air pressures and can handle more hostile operating conditions such as extreme heat or dryness. Physical strains placed upon units by virtue of their design, though, such as vortices or tip leakage flow can be problematic.

Axial fans, those which work like an airplane propeller, create an aerodynamic lift which pressurizes air. Although these fans are usually cheaper, smaller, and lighter than their centrifugal counterparts, they typically are noisier and can generate considerable vibrations which can be costly to manage. These vibrations could additionally add strain to the operation of the unit.

4. Consider the performance curve

The characteristics of each fan are represented graphically as performance curves. Curves can be developed for a number of conditions, including fan volume, system static pressure, fan speed, and brake horsepower. 

The intersection of the system curve with the static pressure curve is called the operating point. Power requirements are determined by plotting the operating point to the power curve. A fan’s performance curve should match the proposed operating point, so that the fan will sufficiently cool your system.

5. Choose a fan that fits your design

The last step is the easiest: choose a fan with the right size, weight, and design so that it can be integrated into your system.

If you need more assistance in choosing the right cooling fan for your application, download our extensive eBook on the topic:

Guide to Dust Collector Fan Sizing

Dust Collector Fan Sizing

Industrial fans are used in

Today we will be helping you size your dust collector fan with this 5-step process. Dust collector fan sizing includes consideration of the following variables.

• Airflow or Cubic Feet Per Minute, commonly known as CFM
• Static Pressure
• Environment & Location
• Power Requirements
• Size & Type of Dust Collector

Airflow or CFM

The first variable you want to consider with dust collector fan sizing is your airflow

Static Pressure

The second variable you want to consider is your

Environment & Location

Next, take a look at your environment and location. Location, temperature, altitude, humidity, and area classification can all affect the size and type of fan that is right for your dust collection system.

Location - If you are in a humid location this will affect the paint finish of your fan and the fan design.

Temperature, Altitude, Humidity - When designing a fan these are all variables used to size the right fan wheel. This will ensure you are moving the right amount of air with the right amount of static pressure.

Environment & Area Classification – Make sure to find out if your environment includes any hazardous area classifications. Area classification is also important to ensure your fan meets the classification requirements.

Power Requirements

A 3-phase fan is commonly used in dust collection applications. You will also need to consider the power requirements of the country in which the fan will be operating. Different countries have different standards.

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