ECM Fan Array – vs. 3 Phase Motor & VFD

We are using more and more ECM Motors and Fans in our applications (both new equipment and retrofit).  There are a lot of good reasons to consider them in your ac designs.  Below is a side by side comparison and seven good reasons to use ECM Motors and Fans.

ECM Fan Array

ECM Fan Array

Fan with VFD array

Fan with VFD Array

 

 

 

 

 

  • Permanent Magnets in Rotor
  • Squirrel Cage Rotor
  •  No Slip Losses
  •  Slip Losses in Rotor
  •  Higher Efficiency and Performance
  •  Motor Temperature Rise
  • Precise Motor Speed Control/
    Exact Feedback from the Motor
  •  Motor speed not well defined
  • Matched System of Drive & Motor
    /Easy to Install
  •  Parameter Setting of VFD/
  • Complicated Installation

High Efficiency:  A big advantage of ECM motors is that they are significantly more efficient when compared to AC motors.  ECM motors maintain a high level (65 to 75 percent) of efficiency at a variety of speeds.   This is not true for AC motors operated on variable frequency drives. As a result, ECMs are cost and energy efficient and can reduce operating costs.  In most cases, they use from less than one third to one half of the electricity used by traditional induction motors used in HVAC applications.

Ease of Control:  ECMs are DC motors that function using a built-in inverter and a magnet rotor (no external VFD).  The motor’s operation is simply controlled by software allowing customers to optimize and integrate the motor, fan and controller with the application.  Features like data communications, constant volume control and variable speed control are simple to integrate.

ECM Fan-2Low Operating Temperatures:  ECM motors’ high efficiency also means that the motors run “cool” and dramatically reduce the amount of waste heat produced.

Extended Life:  Motor life of the ECM is extended due to its low operating temperature operation.  ECMs are also relatively low-maintenance; the use of true ball bearings reduces the need for oiling, and varied start-up speeds reduce stress on mounting hardware.  Less components, less trouble.

Quiet Operation:  ECM motors are also quieter than traditional inefficient motors.

Wider Operating Range:  ECM motors also have a wider operating range than traditional induction motors which means that one ECM motor can replace a number of induction motor models. In this way, the number of models required by a typical customer is significantly decreased, which decreases and simplifies inventory.Standard vs. ECM Fans-1

Compact footprint:  ECM motors have a reduced footprint.  They provide a significant savings in design layout for units.

Related Blog Posts:  
Custom Air Handling Unit Design | The ECM Fan Array
Project Snapshot: WCCC UMass Data Center | Custom Air Handling Units

Featured Manufacturer:    Cambridgeport Custom Air Handling Units  using ECM motors and fans by EBM Pabst

Also see QPAC Fan Arrays for retrofit applications.

Call us for more information or a product demonstration on ECM Motors & Fans.

 

 

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