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EC a contractor’s silver bullet?


The Ecodesign Directives for ventilation equipment, and a significant proportion of the Building Regulations, place obligations on all involved in the supply chain to select and supply efficient ventilation equipment. As David Millward, group product manager (UK & Ireland) at Elta Group explains, the latest electronically communicated (EC) motor technology could prove to be a silver bullet to this challenge


V


entilation contractors are faced with a range of considerations when specifying and installing air movement equipment. Factors include the degree of control for the end-user,


installation costs, running costs, CO2 emissions, and legislation compliance, all of which, along with air performance, dictate which model of fan is best suited to a specific application. Traditionally, fans containing alternating current (AC) motors have been the most common, but lower


energy EC motors are becoming an increasingly popular option. This is largely down to the superior efficiency they offer, but it is worth bearing in mind that they offer a number of additional benefits to ventilation systems.


Increased efficiency and reduced


CO2 emissions Environmental concerns are playing a huge role in the development of products in the ventilation industry, which increases the focus on energy


efficiency and CO2 emissions. All-too-often, fans are selected without paying attention to the additional energy losses – surplus to specific fan power (SFP) – associated with speed controls. These can be significant and should be included in calculations of the total power consumed by a ventilation system. Transitioning from an AC motor to an EC motor helps to offset this issue, as it negates the need for a mains-powered speed controller by incorporating it into the fan. This significantly reduces total energy consumption, contributing to a greener product and, crucially, reducing the running costs associated with the fan. Furthermore, the improved performance of EC


Improved performance of EC motor-controlled fans


leads to a reduction in CO2 emissions – crucial in the wake the latest Ecodesign Directives


motor-controlled fans leads to a reduction in CO2 emissions, which is crucial in the wake of legislation


such as the latest Ecodesign Directives. By operating at a lower current, this new wave of technology drastically boosts efficiency, without sacrificing on performance.


Control for the end user


The ability to control fan speed is critical to the end- user, not least because it ensures that a comfortable internal atmosphere can be maintained. It is also a significant factor in minimising energy expenditure, because it allows the output of the fan to be matched to the specific requirements of that location. While it is possible to control fan speed with an AC


motor, this often requires an external controller that can have a negative effect on the overall lifetime of


 December 2019 David Millward


the fan and, in some cases, increases its noise during operation. EC motors have speed control built within them as standard, as well as automatic overload protection.


Ease and reduced installation costs


Alongside reducing the energy expenditure associated with a fan, EC motors can also decrease the up-front installation costs. A built-in speed control makes commissioning easier (and cheaper) and because it is connected directly to mains power, an electrician isn’t required to wire the controller. Additionally, EC controls stay the same size,


whereas an AC fan requires a specific speed controller to fit the fan power. For example, a 3 amp fan needs a >3 amp controller, a 10 amp fan needs a > 10 amp controller, and so on. This means that controls get bigger and heavier as the fan power increases, making installation more challenging in spatially-restrictive locations.


Legislation compliance


As is often the case, technological development of EC motor-powered fans is underpinned by legislative change. Contractors are tasked with meeting increasingly stringent efficiency requirements which, in turn, shifts the focus of manufacturers onto supplying ventilation products that meet this demand. Elta Fans’ Revolution SLC EC, a long-cased axial


fan, is a prime example of how EC motor technology enables ventilation products to meet the latest efficiency requirements. It has been designed to ensure compliance with legislation due in 2021, with the aim of future-proofing the fan range against further changes to regulations. It is a great frustration for those working within


the ventilation industry that products are at constant risk of withdrawal due to legislative changes. Opting for a ventilation strategy that future-proofs against this, while providing optimum performance and minimising running costs, should be the priority for ventilation specialists.


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