Cooling fans are essential for cooling electronics and industrial machinery, aiding in heat dissipation and preventing overheating. Fans are available in a wide range of sizes, power, and noise levels to best suit specific applications and environments. This article explores the fundamentals of fan operation, performance factors that determine selection and how to choose the right cooling fan for a particular application.
The basic on/off fan control method involves applying power to the fan and then leaving it on or off as needed. This is not optimal from a thermal management perspective, as it introduces unavoidable thermal cycling (cooling/heating) to components and can result in premature failure due to stress from differing temperature-coefficients.
A better approach is to use a sensor and circuitry that reduces fan speed when it is not required, by measuring air temperature versus a setpoint (the desired operating threshold). This extends fan life, saves energy, and eliminates acoustic noise when the fan is off. Pulse-width modulation (PWM) is a popular technique for variable-speed control that achieves the same results, without introducing significant hysteresis and with full torque across most of the fan speed range.
Whether used in a home office, study space or dorm room, a great portable fan can help you stay cool and focused during Zoom calls and long exam days. A few key features to look for include: Cooling fans