Axair Fans has established long term partnerships with manufacturers ECOFIT s.a. (France) and ROSENBERG Gmbh (Germany), and are now able to offer Energy Efficient EC fans and air movement products. Both Ecofit & Rosenberg develop and manufacture their own motors and fans. The Ecofit EC range use motors from 65 up to 113Wa, the Rosenberg range use motors from 1.1 up to 3.4Kwa motors.
What is EC technology ?
EC stands for Electronically Commutated and it combines AC and DC voltages, bringing the best of both technologies : the motor runs on a DC voltage, but with a normal AC supply. DC motors already have low power consumption but if used in an AC application, the power needed converting AC to DC, using a bulky, inefficient transformer. The EC motor incorporates voltage transformation within the motor. The non-rotating part of the motor (stator) is extended to make room for an electronic PCB board which includes power transformation AC to DC, as well as the controls.
All the features of the external rotor motor are kept, including compact assembly, easy speed controllability, efficiency and characteristics.
EC Motor – Principle :
- Permanent-magnet brushless DC motor within the rotor
- The stator is driven by electronic switches (which replace the Carbon brushes), controlled by a microcontroller.
- Electronic system (hall effect sensor or software is used to recognize the rotor position)
- AC operated (230Volts Single phase or 380/480Volts 3phase, 50/60Hz)
Benefits :
Energy savings : Minimum power consumption & better efficiency than AC equivalent.
Control : 100% speed controllable, not frequency dependant. Can be set-up for constant airflow or constant pressure applications, 0-10VDC or PWM control signal.
Low motor temperature : for longer lifetime than AC equivalent
Simplicity : Electronic & power transformation are completely integrated within the motor.
High performance : Speed can be driven up to 3600rpm, one EC fan replace multiple type of motors (2, 4 and 6 pole)
Easy connection : No complicated wiring and set-up with a Frequency Controller, Ec fans have very little configuration.
Efficiency :
Typical AC motors have losses in terms of power consumption (copper + iron losses), slippage and frictional losses (mechanical power). EC motor have no slippage losses, reducing losses and increasing efficiency.
By comparing 2 backward curved centrifugal impellers, one in AC and the other in EC.
| Model |
Fan/motor type |
Supply |
Motor power |
Speed |
| DKHR 315-2SW-098 |
AC 3 phase fan 2 pole motor |
400Volts 50Hz |
1.52Kwa |
2750rpm |
| GKHR 315-CIW.098 |
EC 3phase fan |
380/480Volts 50/60Hz |
1.41Kwa |
2950rpm |
| Model |
Point 1
2603m³/h at 900 Pa |
Point 2
2000mm³/h at 166Pa |
Point 3
3300mm³/h at 450Pa |
| DKHR 315-2SW.098.6FA (Fan power) |
Power : 1.42kW
Efficiency : 37.5% |
Power : 0.62 kW
Efficiency : 14% |
Power : 1.41 kW
Efficiency : 28% |
| GKHR 315-CIW.098.5FA (Total power) |
Power : 1.33 kW
Efficiency : 49.6% |
Power : 0.27 kW
Efficiency : 38% |
Power : 1.04 kW
Efficiency : 45% |
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The EC fan can rotate at a higher speed (2950rpm) than the AC (2750rpm) with a smaller motor than the AC fan (2.41 instead of 1.52Kwa)
-
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The data for the AC fan is the consumed fan power and excludes losses from any inverter or controller necessary to control the fan.
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The EC fan does not require any inverter or speed controller
Energy savings with EC fans
Let's assume a laminar flow workstation requiring 13200m³/h at 450Pa.
This requires 4 off Ø315 backward curved fans.
Now let us assume that this workstation operates for 50 weeks of the year and for 8 hours per day at full speed. During non working hours to maintain the work area, the fans are run at roughly half the airflow.
Lets compare the power consumed :
AC fan
2800hrs @ 4 x 1.41kW = 5.64kW
15,792 kWh
5600hrs @ 4 x 0.62kW = 2.48kW
13,888 kWh
Total A
29,680 kWh
EC fan
2800 hrs @ 4 x 1.04kW = 4.16kW
11,648 kWh
5600 hrs @ 4 x 0.27kW = 1.08kW
6,048 kWh
Total B
17,696 kWh
A – B = 11,984kWh saved with the EC fan
Additional Functions :
- Constant pressure : Used in conjunction with a pressure sensor, the fan maintains the same pressure at varying airflow (ideal for ducted applications). Operates with forward curved centrifugal fans without pressure sensor and with backward curved motorised impellers with pressure sensor (Available on Ecofit fans).-
- Constant airflow : The fan maintains the same airflow at varying pressure (ideal for filtered applications) (Available on Ecofit fans).
- 0-10VDC / PWM output : EC motors can be controlled by a simple, standard 10kOhms potentiometer on the integrated 0-10VDC output (Available on both Ecofit & Rosenberg fans)
- Hall effect : A tachometric output is available, which can be used for an optional alarm relay (Available on both Ecofit & Rosenberg fans)
- Pressure control : A pressure sensor can be connected directly to the Electronic of the EC motor. The pressure control is made by the integrated electronics. No additional control unit is needed. (Rosenberg Versions only)
- Master/Slave : This system is used when several fans are used together within a single application. The main fan (Master) is individually pressure controlled. The other fans (slaves)
are then speed controlled by the Master fan : Slave Fans are always at the speed of the master fan (Rosenberg Versions only).
References available :
From Manufacturer 
Backward curved motorised impeller.
Available in diameter Ø192, 220 & 225.
|
Forward curved centrifugal fan, Single inlet.
Available in Ø160.
Constant pressure or airflow configuration available
|
Forward curved centrifugal fan, Double inlet.
Available in Ø160.
Constant pressure or airflow configuration available
|
From Manufacturer 
Backward curved centrifugal motorised impeller. Available in Ø280, 315, 355, 400, 450, 500, 560 & 630
|
Backward curved centrifugal fan – Single inlet. Available in Ø280, 315, 355, 400, 450, 500, 560 & 630
|
Axial fans – Available in Ø630, 710, 800, 900 & 1000. Several configuration available
|
UNOBOX extraction / Ventilation units. Available in 4 sizes, Fitted with motorised impellers Ø355, 400, 450, 500, 560 & 630.
|
Rectangular In-Line Duct fans. Available in 4 sizes, Fitted with motorised impellers Ø355, 400, 450, 500 & 560.
|
Roof fans with vertical discharge. Available in 3 sizes, Fitted with motorised impellers Ø355, 400, 450, 500, 560 & 630.
|
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Press release
http://www.axair-fans.co.uk/news/ectechnology.php
