AC axial compact fan-4656N

We offers 4 different types of motors: shaded-pole, permanent split capacitor, brushless DC and EC motors. The various motors are explained below.

Shaded-pole motor
Shaded-pole motors are the simplest AC single phase induction motors and hence the least expensive. Motors of this type have a simple, sturdy design; they are self-starting and require no maintenance; however, they have the lowest efficiency of all motor types – in the range of 20 to 40%. Since starting torque and efficiency are very low, these motors are only suitable for very low power applications.

Permanent split capacitor motor
Permanent split capacitor motors (also known as a capacitor-run motors or PSC) use an externally connected, high voltage, non-polarized capacitor to generate an electrical phase shift between the run and start windings. The motor typically operates with an efficiency range of 60% to 70%. PSC motors are one of the most common AC motors due to their combination of low cost and medium efficiency; however, they are often being passed over for high efficiency DC and EC motors.

Brushless DC motor
A brushless DC motor is a DC motor whose commutation (electrical switching) is accomplished by electronic circuitry instead of metal brushes.  Hall sensors in the motor detect the precise rotor location at all times which allows precise timing of the commutation, lower heat rise, and higher efficiency – typically over 90%.  Since there are no brushes to wear out and the motors run more efficiently, brushless DC motors are more reliable and have a longer life span than AC motors in similar size ranges.  The integrated electronics also allow interface options such as tachometer and alarm output, PWM and/or analog speed control, and additional motor protections such as locked rotor and reverse polarity protection. 

EC motor
EC or Electronically Commutated motors are motors in which commutation is accomplished by electronic circuitry, much like DC motors.  The main benefit to this is the ability to speed control the motors without the loss in efficiency you see when speed controlling AC motors.  The higher efficiency equates to operational energy savings.  They also include integrated electronics which are connected directly to AC mains supply and convert the AC input power to DC so no external electronics are necessary.  As with all ebmpapst motors, commutation is brushless and requires no maintenance.  EC motors also generate less heat than comparable AC motors which equates to longer service life and higher reliability.  Similar to DC motors, EC motors with integrated electronics allow interface options such as tachometer and alarm output, PWM and/or analog speed control, as well as additional motor features and protections such as Modbus communication and wide voltage and frequency ranges.  

What’s the maximum voltage you can apply to a blower?
The maximum voltage that can be applied to a fan motor varies from model to model, but is typically 5%-10% above the nominal voltage listed.  Consult the factory to determine the maximum voltage for a particular part number, and to learn more about the negative effects that high voltages might have on the motor

What is a fan’s of voltage range?
Ebmpapst EC fans are able to perform equally well across a range of input voltages. These fans will have the maximum and minimum acceptable voltages listed on the label, such as the one below:

Note that in order to reach a desired performance point, the fan may need to draw additional current at low voltages.

Can all 60 Hz blower motors operate on a frequency of 50 Hz?
Not all ebmpapst fans are designed to operate at both 50 and 60 Hz. If a fan is able to accept both 50 Hz and 60 Hz power supplies, it will have a “50/60Hz” mark on its label, such as the one below:

Consult the factory if you intend to use a power supply with a frequency that does not match the recommended frequency of your fan.

When determining fan performance, several factors are taken into consideration. These factors primarily include: airflow, static pressure, operating points, RPM, power & current, and sound performance. Of these factors, ebmpapst presents a performance curve with our products to provide a quick-glance overview of the performance. Performance curves use just three of the aforementioned factors: airflow, static pressure, and operating points.

What is Airflow?
For the air-moving industry, it is important to know how quickly some volume of air is being displaced from one location to another, or, more simply stated, how much air is being moved in a set amount of time.

Ebmpapst typically expresses airflow in Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) or cubic meters per hour (m3/h).

What is Static Pressure?
Once again the air-moving industry is faced with another challenge, the resistance to flow. Static pressure, sometimes referred to as back pressure or system resistance, is a continuous force on the air (or gas) due to the resistance to flow. These resistances to flow can come from sources such as static air, turbulence and impedances within the system like filters or grills. A higher static pressure will cause a lower airflow, in the same way that a smaller pipe reduces the amount of water that can flow through it.

Ebmpapst typically expresses static pressure in inches water gauge (in. W.G.) or Pascals (Pa).

What is the System Operating Point?
For any fan we can determine how much air it is able to move in a given amount of time (airflow) and how much static pressure it can overcome. For any given system, we can determine the amount of static pressure it will create at any given airflow.

Taking these known values for airflow and static pressure, we can plot them on a two-dimensional chart. The operating point is the point at which the fan performance curve and the system resistance curve intersect. In real terms, it is the amount of airflow a given fan can move through a given system.

How do I read an air performance curve?
To aid in fan selection, ebmpapst provides an air performance graph with its products. The air performance graph consists of a series of curves that chart airflow against static pressure.

Follow along on the chart below. The x-axis is for airflow, while the y-axis is for static pressure. The blue line ‘A’ illustrates the fan’s performance outside of a system. To find the operating point 900CFM @ 2 in.w.g., follow the x-axis to 900, then follow the y-axis up to 2 (Point ‘B’). Since this operating point ‘B’ is below the performance curve, it is a point that the fan can achieve.

Lines ‘C’, ‘D’, and ‘E’ are example system resistance curves – as airflow increases, the static pressure (or resistance to airflow) also increases, making it harder to move air. Typically, any point between the highest and lowest of our example resistance curves is the ideal operating range for the fan to achieve its highest efficiency. Some performance graphs will have multiple airflow curves; this would indicate that the fan is capable of multiple speeds in order to match operating points below its maximum speed, thus saving energy.

 Forward Curved Impellers

• There are two types of forward curved impellers, dual and single inlet.
• Used primarily in medium pressure, high flow applications.
• Possible market uses: ventilation, refrigeration etc.

Backward Curved Impellers

• Used primarily in high pressure, high flow applications.
• Possible market uses: data center, general ventilation, agriculture; transportation etc.

Axial Fans

• Used primarily in low pressure, high flow applications.
• Possible market uses: LED, ventilation, agriculture; transportation, etc.