The main parts of a fan

The fan is an incredible device, as it manages to cool people when they need it most and provide a constant flow of air while it is running. In order to achieve this, the device has a series of parts that work together to ensure proper operation. Knowing them is understanding how a fan works.

When there is heat in a room, a running fan seems like a gift from heaven, as it is a device that manages to cool you down. If you have no knowledge about this appliance, you may think that it is a product that has an extremely complex internal mechanism and that understanding the ventilation of a room can be difficult. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.

An electric fan is one of the simplest devices that exist and its operation, including its component parts, are things that do not need great explanations to understand. In fact, the mechanical system that makes the fan you have at home work is the same one that uses the fan in your computer. The variations between all types of fans are minimal, because what really makes a difference is the external appearance of the fan. 

What are the parts of a fan?

The correct operation of an electric motor fan happens as long as all the parts that compose it do their job. If any fail, then it is impossible for the artifact to do its job, so it pays to know each of the pieces.

1) Switch:

This small piece is responsible for giving the “on” order. By moving or pressing it you can make the fan work and, in addition, on many occasions, directly choose the speed.

2) Engine:

The fan motor is responsible for powering the propellers so they can move. This part converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.

3) Frame:

The frame is the structure that separates the motor from the propellers, covering them to prevent accidents. This part of the fan can be made of plastic or metallic material, depending on the model.

4) Propellers:

The propellers are the most notorious part of a fan , since these are the pieces that rotate to mobilize the air in the place. They are made, most of the time, of aluminum to be able to better resist air pressure. However, there are models that use plastic.

5) Shaft:

The shaft is the small piece that joins the motor to the propellers. In this way, both the shaft and the propellers rotate.

6) Shaft support:

The axle bracket is the small casing where the axle bracket is located. The support covers it and is responsible for holding it.

7) Rotor:

In order to hold the propellers correctly you need to have a rotor. This component manages to pass the energy from the coil to the propellers, since it has thermoelectric resistance. The part is usually made of metal.

8) Coils:

The coils are the components responsible for storing energy, as if it were a magnetic field. These are metals that have been spirally wound.

9) Pulleys:

The force generated by the motor cannot remain stagnant, therefore, the pulleys are responsible for transmitting it directly to the shaft and that makes the propellers able to rotate properly.

10) Straps:

The belts are the pieces that connect the motor with the pulleys. Without these, the transmission of force from one component to another would be impossible.

11) Capacitor:

It can be inconvenient or ineffective to have the fan on the same speed all the time, and therefore you will probably change the power from time to time.

The function of the capacitor is to be the device in charge of regulating the current input to the coil, managing the transferred electricity depending on the speed at which the fan is working.

What can change between fans?

There are few things that can change between one fan model and another, however, there are things that vary.

For example, the base that supports the appliance may be different between the various types of fan. Like the size.

Another thing that is usually different is the power source. Most fans get their electrical power from an outlet, but there are other models that use batteries, for example.

How does a fan work?

Now that you know the parts of the device, it’s time to talk about the fans working, as it will be much easier to understand the whole process. How do they do that? Well, easier than you think.

First of all, the fan must have an electrical power input , as this is what will start the whole process. If it is a domestic fan, then it will be necessary to turn it on with the switch; however, other types of fans work immediately. Like the one on a console or on a computer.

By enabling the passage of current, the electrical energy will begin its journey passing through the coil. Consecutively, this piece will transfer the energy to the rotor and, there, it will be converted into mechanical energy thanks to the pulleys. With the movement of the pulleys , the mobilization of the propellers will also be generated, which are responsible for making the air flow.

In case there is the possibility to modify the speed and power, then this depends on the capacitor.

How is it refreshing?

You are probably wondering how it is possible for a domestic fan to cool a room if this device does not have a cooling system. This is a totally valid question and has a fairly simple answer.

When it’s hot, the air is usually stagnant and saturated with moisture. This moisture comes from our sweat which, in turn, is produced due to the heat we are exposed to. At this point, when you turn on a fan, it begins to displace moist air and replaces it with dry air. The air manages to absorb moisture, therefore, when our sweat evaporates, this air absorbs it and we begin to feel more comfortable, since we are already dry.

This is how a fan works and, to achieve it, the constant work of each component you have read about today is necessary.