Ceiling fan

A ceiling fan is a flow machine to support the circulation of air in a residential or commercial space. While the everyday image impressed in tropical areas ceiling fans already with the introduction of electrification especially in public buildings, the devices are now also in northern latitudes more and more acceptance. They represent an alternative to the often noisy and noticeable drafts generating standing fans and can sometimes replace a costly air conditioning. The operation of a ceiling fan in the winter can also help by better air distribution in the room to reduce heating costs.

Operation

The fan is the air mass, especially in enclosed living space in motion. The resulting air flow gives rise to the human skin evaporative cooling. In contrast to air-conditioning, however, the fan is not in a position to cool the room air itself. The placement of the device on the ceiling ensures a uniform and effective circulation of the air mass of a room and is therefore inconsistent with the most selective acting table fans comparable. Even at high temperatures can be as an accomplished perceived as pleasant room climate, and to dispense with the use of expensive and environmentally damaging air conditioning.

Ceiling Fans are available in many designs. These range from simple equipment, which only underscores the technical value in use and is kept appropriately simple, to the elaborate and decorative works, which sometimes has high-quality materials such as brass or chrome and wood with Rattaneinlagen. High-quality devices are usually intended for use in living rooms and inspired in design to traditional devices, while the standard devices are used in the catering or food court rather used. In addition, many devices have a light. Thus, a, mounted in the middle of the room ceiling fan be used as a complete replacement for the existing room lighting.

Construction

In view of its own weight, and the rotary movement of the ceiling fan must be firmly and safely installed on the ceiling. For this purpose, usually comes a sturdy metal construction that is enshrined as a rod or plate shaped cross with screws and wall plugs in the ceiling, are used. A canopy is then screwed to the metal structure. An extension rod which is equipped with ball joints at both the canopy and the motor housing is used to compensate for a possible imbalance. Does the ceiling height does not allow the use of the extension rod, canopy and motor housing can also be directly screwed. Here however, can lead to noise due to the lack of compensation of the imbalance. In the motor housing of the drive motor is housed, on the rotor directly, the brackets are attached to the rotor blades. The latter are attached with several screws on the brackets. In the presence of these lighting forms the conclusion of the whole construction.

Motor

As the drive of the fan is an electric motor. The stator with its windings is designed in a flat, stationary design and also surrounded by shallow rotary cylinder. The latter is equipped with two heavy, plate-like casing covers, which serve as a flywheel, bolted top and bottom. Basically, the wings are bolted to the lower housing cover, rarely above. In high-quality devices include greased bearings, ball bearings and the use of silicone steel, as well as ventilation openings to the main quality dimensions that affect equally positive effect on the life span, such as the noise during operation. Unfortunately the consumer during the pre can not inform you about the quality of the built motor. Various manufacturers provide on their websites appropriate information. Basically, the start of the unit to the highest power level has a positive effect on the service life of the engine.

Size and Performance

Ceiling fans are available in standard sizes 70, 105 and 132 cm, but in individual sizes of up to 300 cm. In the usual construction, the speeds are approximately 90/min in the smallest, approximately 160/min in the middle and about 210/min at the highest level. There are two -, three -, four - or five -leaf models. Basically, the largest available version should always be chosen, for a large model provides the lowest level still for a higher air flow than a smaller model in a higher stage. This must be considered (bedroom ), particularly in view of energy consumption, as well as the place of installation. The higher the power level, the higher the noise level due to air movement and motor.

Operation

To operate the device most cables are used, press the corresponding switch in the device. The switch for the fan operation has usually three stages to regulate the speed. Since the start-up at low speed is to be avoided, the device is running at the highest level and is reduced with each actuation of the pull rope by one stage. The use of illumination is also via a cable, while the choice of the direction of rotation is often done via a sliding switch.

Direction of rotation

The choice of the direction of rotation is equivalent to summer and winter operation. While it is directed into the warm seasons of the draft down, takes place in the cold seasons, the orientation of the air draft to the top. The use of the ceiling fan during the heating period has a positive effect on energy consumption. Warm air rises upwards due to physical reasons. This may cause up to 15 ° C between the floor and ceiling, depending on ceiling height and size of a temperature difference. By the direction of rotation is produced above a pressure which leads down the warm air on the walls. Thus enters the warm air to remain in place useless in the upper area of the room in the area of the living room, where it is actually desired. It is important in winter mode, the fan runs only on the smallest, most to the middle stage to avoid a noticeable draft.

Input

The power consumption of a ceiling fan is about 60 watts at the highest level, and 20 watts at the lowest level. In view of the services provided by the device, both in the summer, and in winter operation, these values ​​are very acceptable. Furthermore, the energy consumption, especially in the summer is very easy to control. Since it does not cool the air, it can always, if there are no people in the room are to remain off. For devices with lighting energy consumption of each light source has to be added. The use of energy saving lamps is possible if the device does not have a dimmer.

Wall or remote control

To increase the ease of use, there is the possibility of wall or remote control. Very few devices are equipped as standard with these devices and are usually fitted out accordingly. The wall control typically replaces the existing light switch and requires the presence of a five -wire cable. It allows the control of the speeds, as well as the lighting and the dimming. The remote control requires no change to the existing electrical installation and is attached in the form of the IR receiver on the canopy of the fan. Besides the already mentioned functions of the wall control comes with the remote control usually has the function of a timer added. This allows the timed use of the term or the power stage. The change of the direction of rotation is not possible with any of the above solutions. For this, the switch must be pressed directly on the fan.

Hazards

When properly installed, hardly a threat emanates from the device. This requires a stable ceiling construction. Material -loading factors are the net weight of the fan, as well as the rotational movement. Although fan and suspension are largely decoupled by the extension rod, a permanent load on the suspension not be entirely avoided. This is especially gypsum plates to be observed even with the use of special plugs, ! The compensation of an imbalance is sometimes time consuming. It can be done by replacing the blades with each other as well as. By attaching the already supplied by many manufacturers weights that are above the fan blades attached by securely affixing The powerful motors are suitable for continuous operation and secured accordingly. In the immediate installation without extension rod the screw of the motor housing and canopy should occasionally be checked as a possible imbalance is acting directly on these components and not intercepted by the ball-bearing rod. The contact of the rotor blades in operation may cause injury, as well as the throwing in of objects into the rotating fan!

History

Even before the electrification came room fans used. In the year 180 AD, a fan said to have been driven by muscle power to condition a space in China. As of the 1800 models have been used in the Middle East, took advantage of water power to drive. Finally, with the expansion of the electricity network created the first electric ceiling fans. 1887 a corresponding patent has been applied to an electric ceiling fan by the German Americans Philip Diehl.