Fan Application

FA/100-99

product application guide

A technical bulletin for engineers, contractors and students in the air movement and control industry.

The basics of fan performance tables, fan curves, system resistance curves and fan laws
Engineers and designers who select and specify fans should have a good basic knowledge of the content of this article. An understanding of these subjects is vital for verifying the original fan selection, trouble shooting after the installation, and understanding future flexibility. fans used for roof mounting, wall mounting and inline applications. To use the table, find the required static pressure on the upper horizontal axis (example .375 inches wg.), then read down the static pressure column and find the required CFM (example 13791 CFM). Directly below the CFM is the required BHP for that performance (example 1.99). Also shown in this example is the sound rating for the selected performance (11.7 sones). Reading to the left of the selected CFM, you will find the fan RPM, the motor size and the model identifier.
STATIC PRESSURE IN INCHES OF W.G. 0.25 0.375 0.50 0.75 1.00 Sones BHP Sones BHP Sones BHP Sones BHP Sones BH 5075 5.5 0.35 7304 Unstable performance 6.1 0.53 points are not printed 9418 7419 7.1 0.78 6.6 0.77 10781 9272 8.0 1.00 7.3 1.02 13050 11925 10562 10.1 1.46 9.4 1.52 8.6 1.54 14731 13791 12701 9246 12.4 1.91 11.7 1.99 10.7 2.05 8.5 1.92 16148 15303 14363 12028 14.9 2.37 13.8 2.45 13.0 2.53 10.9 2.56 17316 16532 15691 13652 10151

F an performance tables

Manufacturers typically publish catalogs containing performance or rating tables for each specific fan size. These tables are printed in a compact format, showing only the minimum information necessary to select a fan to match a desired performance. Performance tables are very easy to use for making an MODEL HP RPM 0 Sones BHP initial selection, and in most 9353 220 cases, only include stable 6.5 0.31 420-5 1/2 10416 operating points. 245 Rating tables are published in one of two basic formats arranged with pressure columns and rows of either RPM or CFM. At the bottom of the table, qualifying statements describe how the fan was tested and what losses are included in the performance rating. In many cases, these tables also show sound ratings in either sones or LwA.
420-7 420-10 420-15 420-20 3/4 1 1 - 1/2 2 280 305 350 385 415 420-30 3 440 7.2 0.43 11904 8.3 0.64 12966 9.4 0.82 14879 11.9 1.24 16367 14.4 1.65 17643 17.2 2.07 18706

0.125 Sones BHP 7846 6.0 0.37 9104 6.7 0.50 10785 7.7 0.73 11959 8.8 0.94 14037 11.2 1.38 15629 13.5 1.81 16982 16.1 2.24 18103

Model Size

RPM required

BHP at selected performance CFM selected

Motor horsepower size required

Sones at selected performance

Using the Performance T ables

The following is a portion of a typical performance table as published for low to medium pressure fans. This table is common to most centrifugal and axial

The following performance table is typcial for higher pressure fans, such as housed centrifugal fans. There are individual tables for each fan size and wheel type. In most cases, these tables will have shaded areas representing Class I, II and III RPM limits. To use this table, find the required CFM

P.O. Box 410 Schofield, WI 54476 715.359.6171 Fax 715.355.2399

Copyright 2005 Greenheck Fan Corp.

Greenheck Product Application Guide

Static Pressure In Inches 3.00 3.50 4.00 4.50 5.00 5.50 6.00 6.50 7.00 2.50 RPM BHP RPM BHP RPM BHP RPM BHP RPM BHP RPM BHP RPM BHP RPM BHP RPM BHP RPM BHP 1597 848 5.01 905 5.99 960 7.04 1017 8.21 1071 9.41 required static pressure OV
1757 1916 2076 2236 2396 2555 2715 2875 3035 3194 3354 3514 3674 3833 3993 878 908 938 969 1000 1035 1071 1108 1145 1184 1222 1262 1302 1342 1383 5.62 6.29 7.02 7.81 8.67 9.59 10.6 11.7 12.8 14.0 15.3 16.7 18.3 19.9 21.7 931 960 990 1020 1051 1082 1116 1151 1187 1224 1262 1300 1339 1378 1418 6.62 7.35 8.15 9.01 9.94 10.9 12.0 13.2 14.4 15.7 17.1 18.6 20.1 21.8 23.7 983 1009 1038 1068 1098 1129 1160 1192 1228 1264 1300 1337 1375 1413 1452 7.69 8.44 9.30 10.2 11.2 12.3 13.4 14.7 16.0 17.4 18.9 20.4 22.1 23.8 25.7 1032 1056 1083 1113 1143 1173 1204 1235 1266 1301 1337 1373 1410 1448 1486 8.80 9.59 10.5 11.5 12.5 13.7 14.9 16.2 17.6 19.0 20.6 22.3 24.0 25.8 27.8 1084 1103 1127 1155 1185 1215 1245 1276 1307 1338 1373 1408 1444 1481 1518 10.1 10.8 11.7 12.7 13.9 15.1 16.4 17.7 19.2 20.7 22.4 24.1 25.9 27.9 29.9 1135 1148 1171 1196 1225 1254 1285 1315 1346 1377 1408 1442 1478 1514 1550 11.3 12.1 13.0 14.0 15.2 16.5 17.8 19.3 20.8 22.4 24.1 25.9 27.8 29.9 32.0 1184 1197 1213 1237 1263 1293 1322 1352 1383 1414 1445 1476 1510 1546 1581 12.7 13.5 14.3 15.4 16.6 17.9 19.3 20.8 22.4 24.1 25.9 27.8 29.8 31.9 34.1 1243 1256 1277 1301 1329 1359 1388 1419 1449 1480 1511 1543 1576 1612 14.9 15.7 16.8 18.0 19.4 20.8 22.4 24.1 25.8 27.7 29.7 31.7 33.9 36.1 1287 1300 1315 1339 1364 1394 1423 1453 1483 1514 1545 1576 1608 1641 16.3 17.2 18.2 19.5 20.8 22.4 24.0 25.7 27.6 29.5 31.5 33.7 35.9 38.3 1330 1343 1356 1376 1401 1427 1457 1486 1517 1547 1577 1608 1640 1671 17.8 18.8 19.8 21.0 22.4 23.9 25.6 27.4 29.3 31.3 33.4 35.6 37.9 40.4

CFM
10000 11000 12000 13000 14000 15000 16000 17000 18000 19000 20000 21000 22000 23000 24000 25000

Performance shown is for model AFSW arrangement 1, installation type B - free inlet, ducted outlet. Performance ratings do not include the effects of appurtenances in the airstream. Power rating (BHP) does not include drive losses. outlet velocity at given CFM required CFM required fan RPM BHP @ selected performance

Class I Class II

Class III

along the left vertical axis (example 14,000 CFM), then move horizontally to the right to the required static pressure column (example 6.00 inches wg.). At this intersection, you can read both the fan RPM and the BHP (example 1277 RPM and 16.8 BHP). Notice these points are located on the lightly shaded portion of the table, indicating that a Class II fan is required. With the use of electronic fan selection programs the trend is to further reduce the amount of printed data and to print only a range of performance for each fan size. There's little doubt that a good electronic selection program such as CAPS can pinpoint a precise selection with minimal effort. It's also becoming common to see fan performance curves (actually a family of RPM curves) covering the full range of performance printed on the same or adjacent page to the performance table. This format provides a quick snapshot of the total capabilities of one given fan model and size. Locate the desired flow along the x-axis and the specified pressure on the left y-axis. At the point of intersection, you can determine the approximate Fan RPM required. To find the motor size required, move upward to the closest HP line (dotted line). You can quickly review charts for several different fan sizes to determine the most desirable selection.

Chart represents a family of RPM curves.

F an Curves
One of the most valuable pieces of information supplied by fan manufacturers is the fan performance curve. Curves are normally supplied for each specific fan on a given project. These curves show the relationship between the quantity of air a fan will deliver and the pressure generated at various air quantities. The curves also show horsepower for a given quantity of flow. Figure 1 represents the performance for a given fan size and RPM. The flow scale is presented along the x-axis. The pressure scale is presented along the left

Fan Application No. FA/100-99

Greenheck Product Application Guide

y-axis. Find the required CFM and move vertically to the SP curve. Read horizontally to the left to read the pressure at that flow.
Static Pressure

figure 1

20 18 16 14 12 10
SP

Figure 2 illustrates the 8 6 effects of speed change. According to the fan 4 laws, CFM varies 2 directly with RPM. The 5 10 15 result of reducing the CFM in 1000s speed is a similar curve in a lower position. Increasing speed results in a similar curve in a Static figure 2 Pressure higher position. 20 Figure 3 illutrates the 16 addition of the BHP SP 14 curve. The power scale 110% of speed 12 is presented along the 10 right y-axis. Find the 90% of 8 speed volume on the SP 6 curve and move 4 vertically to the BHP 2 curve. At this intersection, move 5 10 15 CFM in 1000s horizontally to the right-hand scale to read the BHP at that flow. The curve shapes in figures 1-3 are typical of centrifugal wheels. Other impeller types have both fan and power curve shapes that vary from those Brake shown. However, the Static figure 3 Pressure Horsepower 20 10 principle of reading 9 the curves is the same. 18
16 8
SP

Figure 4 shows that the system curve always starts at the origin where flow and pressure are zero. The fan will operate at the point where the system resistance curve figure 4 intersects the fan curve. Resistance Curve For a constant system, with no change in damper settings, etc. the Design Design Point pressure at a given flow Pressure varies as the square of the airflow.
Fan Curve

18

The only time the shape of the system resistance curve changes is when Design Flow Rate the system physically changes. For instance, if a damper is opened, the system resistance is reduced. The result is a lower pressure drop. Closing a damper, or when filters become dirty, increases the systems resistance. Figure 5 illustrates how the system resistance curve changes with a decrease or an increase in resistance. The new curve shows that as the systems resistance changes, so does the figure 5 Increased Resistance air volume the system pressure at a Design System constant fan RPM. Decreased
Resistance

System Resistance Curves

14 12

7 6 5 4 3 2 1

10 System resistance curves are a graphical 8 bhp representation of how 6 4 a system reacts to a 2 given airflow. The system resistance is 5 10 15 the sum of all pressure CFM in 1000s losses through the duct, all elbows, filters, dampers, coils and any other device that resists flow.

Figure 6: is a sample Design print-out from Pressure Greenheck's CAPS program for a specific fan selection. This illustrates the fan curve, the BHP curve, the system design Design Flow Rate curve, plus a fan surge curve. Fan selection close to, or to the left of the surge curve, is not recommended. Referring to this surge curve aids the designer in selecting fans that are stable and will not go into surge with a minor change to the system. We have learned that a fan curve is the series of points at which a given fan model and size can operate at a constant RPM. The system resistance curve is the series of points at which the system can operate. The operating point is where these two curves intersect. Any changes to the fan RPM will cause the point of operation to move along the system curve and changes to the system resistance

Fan Application No. FA/100-99

Greenheck Product Application Guide

will cause the point of operation to move up or down the fan curve.
figure 6
4.4 4.0 3.6 3.2 Operating Point 2.8 2.4 2.0 1.6 1.2 0.8 0.4 0.0 0
P BH Cu rve

By rearranging the cfm fan law:

RPM 2 =
4.4

1 5 8 5 R PM

RPM 2 =

2 x RPM ( CFM CFM1 ) x 1000 = 1250 RPM ( 12,500 10,000 )

1

4.0

The corresponding static pressure is:

3.6 3.2 2.8
po int cur ve.

SP 2 = SP 1 SP 2 = 1.50

2 ( RPM RPM1 ) 1250 ) = 2.34 in. wg ( 1000

2 2

2.4 2.0
gn si De

The resulting BHP is:

BHP = BHP
2

thi ss urg e

1.6
Fa

be be low

em st Sy

1.2 0.8 0.4 0.0

BHP =
2

2 ( RPM RPM1 ) 5.00 1250 ) = 9.77 BHP ( 1000

1 3

nC

e urv

tm us t

ing rat Ope

in po

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000 Volume (CFM)

5,000

6,000

7,000

8,000

According to the fan laws, in order to use the original fan, the speed must be increased from 1000 RPM to 1250 RPM, the motor must be changed from a 5 HP to 10 HP. Figure 7 illustrates fan curves for both the original and new fan performance.
figure 7
3.5 3.0
RPM2

F an Laws
Our next step is to understand fan laws. Fan laws, can be used to accurately predict changes (assuming the fan diameter and air density are constant).

F an law equations 2 CFM 2 = RPM x CFM 1 RPM 1

SP 2 = BHP 2

2.5
Ps

10 8 6

BHP2

2.0 1.5 1.0

(RPM ) x SP RPM = ( RPM ) x BHP

RPM 2
2 1

BHP1

4
RPM1

Subscript 1: Describes the existing conditions Subscript 2: Describes the new conditions

0.5

The following example is typical of how the fan laws are applied: A fan installed in a fixed system is operating at: CFM = 10,000 SP = 1.50 in. wg BHP = 5.00 RPM = 1,000 What RPM is required to move 25% more air (12,500 CFM) through this system? NOTE: You can view this example as either the installation now desires more air than planned, or the balancing report showed 25% less air than specified.

10 12 14 16 18

CFM in 1000s

Important: Check to make sure that the new RPM does not exceed the maximum allowable RPM for the existing fan. Maximum RPMs are shown in fan catalogs. You should consult the fan manufacturer for additional information or if you would like to review the application. More detailed information on these subjects can be found in both AMCA and ASHRAE publications.

Fan Application No. FA/100-99