EC Fan Solutions

Discover high efficiency electronically commutated (EC) fan solutions for HVAC applications.

Heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) applications account for a significant portion of energy use in commercial buildings. In hot and humid countries, like Singapore, it can account for up to 50% (NCCS, 2011). Therefore, to reduce the energy consumption of buildings, implementing green technology for HVAC applications is a strategic move.

Fans are among the HVAC application components that consume a considerable amount of energy (NCCS, 2011). Among the available fan types, EC fans are far more energy-efficient compared to their conventional AC counterparts. Hence, by using or retrofitting EC fans in HVAC applications, the energy consumption of buildings can be reduced significantly.

Retrofit - 1

Office and hotel buildings receive a large amount of human traffic. The HVAC applications within these buildings need to run smoothly in order to ensure the occupants’ comfort levels. In some cases, HVAC applications may be required to run 24/7. For example, as the hotel lobby operates day and night, it will require air-conditioning or ventilation at all times.

HVAC applications also serve other functions, such as expelling unwanted and unclean air in restaurants and ensuring that perishable goods are kept cool. EC fans can bring incredible value to these applications by reducing the overall energy consumption needed to keep HVAC applications running. This is beneficial for both the building owners and the environment alike.

HVAC applications in office and hotels

ahu radipac ebmpapst

AHU Fan

cooling tower axiblade ebmpapst

Cooling Tower Fan

hotel fan coil unit ec fan blower ebmpapst

FCU Fan

EC Fans: An Overview

The EC fan comprises of the EC motor and impeller.

EC Motor
Motor applications are deployed across a multitude of industries where motion-control functions are required. When it comes to motor designs, engineers have three main types of options – alternating current (AC), direct current (DC) and electronically commuted (EC) motors. EC motors are the brushless electric motors that are designed with permanent magnets on the rotor and on-board electronics to control the voltage and current applied to the motor. With EC technology, AC voltage is rectified in the commutation electronics.

The electronics is similar the ‘brain’ of the motor, which conventional motor technology does not have. It is made up of various components that enables variable speed control and communication with other devices or controllers. Compared to conventional technology, EC motors offers improved efficiency, precision in speed control and reduced wiring complexity.

The moving rotor contains permanent magnets with alternating poles. When the stator windings are energized according to the desired speed and direction of rotation, the rotor starts to rotate. With these features, it enables improved efficiency, reduced energy losses, lower maintenance requirements and lesser noise.

Impeller
The impeller has been aerodynamically optimised, enabling reduced turbulence. This ensures less noise and minimal energy consumption.

EC Fan as an integrated solution
At ebm‑papst, all the fan and motor components are engineered in-house. No external components, such as the variable speed drives, are required. This ensures that the components have been optimised for each other and there will be minimal energy losses. This translates to overall higher efficiency, longer fan lifespan, lesser components to maintain and more.

Sources:
National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS). (2011). Air-con system efficiency primer: A summary. Retrieved from https://www.nccs.gov.sg/files/docs/default-source/default-document-library/air-con-system-efficiency-primer-a-summary.pdf