The most obvious time to replace an old fan is when it has stopped working. But way before a fan reaches the point of total failure, there are signs of future failure that should not be ignored. In this blog, I will cover the most common signs that indicate when to replace old fans.
Signs of Future Failure
Here are some of the most common signs to look for that may indicate future fan failure:
Cracks in the propeller blades. This problem is most common with pressed metal fan blades. They will stress and crack where the blade is riveted to the blade hub. When the blade does come apart from the hub, it may create a safety problem due to flying metal parts. Without one of the blades, the fan will be unbalanced and will eventually fail.- Material build-up on propeller blades. Contaminants in the air will stick to propeller blades. This build-up will eventually lead to cracks in the propeller blade due to stress or motor failure due to high amps.
- Motor drawing high amps. Often this is a sign that the load on the motor is too high. This may be caused material build-up on propeller blades or a significant increase in system static pressure. Another cause may be bad motor bearings. A motor that is drawing amps above its rated horsepower will eventually fail due to high internal heat.
- Excessive noise. A change in the noise profile of a fan means that there is a problem. The most common reason is an unbalanced propeller which will cause the motor to draw high amps, overheat, then fail.
- Clogged fan guard or jammed shutter. Anything that restricts the flow of air entering or leaving the fan will overload the motor. Eventually, the high amp draw will cause the motor to fail.
- Cracked fan housing. Poor welding or corrosion may cause cracks in the fan housing or motor supports. A poorly supported fan motor will vibrate putting stress on the motor bearing which will eventually lead to motor failure.
Conclusion
Recognizing the signs of when to replace old fans is critical to maintaining adequate ventilation in any facility. A total fan failure, and the resulting poor ventilation, may cause poor product quality, unsafe working conditions and inefficient equipment operations. Before you experience total fan failure, contact a ventilation expert at Eldridge. We can replace old fans with new Eldridge Fans that will help you maintain a successful environment in your facility.