Plug fans vs belt driven centrifugal fans

[Bobfd7dbf]

Hello all,

I am not familiar with plug fans , Do plug fans have maintenence issues compared to the centrifugal fans ( belt driven fans )

I know that plug fans have less malfunctions , but in case of malfunctions happened (motor burnout , bearing wear , hub wear , etc ) is it easy to repair this fan with not a very long downtime and much more expensive maintenance ?

Thanks in advance.

 

[EnergyProfessional]

Plug fan are centrifugal and so are most (non-propeller) fans.

I'm not sure if there is a definition, but there is nothing saying a specific fan type has belt or direct drive or what motor.

If you mean direct drive vs. belt drive, the direct drive obviously omits all belt problems and maintenance. but the fan typically has some sort of speed regulation (VFD, or ECM). but you can have that speed modulation also with a belt.

Most ECM fans have proprietary setup and the controller integrated. An AC motor has fan attached and the VFD separately. there are AC motors with integrated VFD, though. The more integrated, the more the chance it has to be a proprietary part. the less integrated, the more manufacturer choice you have. I'd investigate what availability is you your locale. Based on your post you could be in the Brazilian jungle and no access to spare parts, or you could be in Paris with 100 HVAC warehouses full of spare parts.

 

[Strong]

It appears that Plug Fans are centrifugal fans that use a plenum as the casing. It could be direct drive or belt drive.

https://www.nyb.com/plug-fans/

Walt