The absence of carbon brushes in a BLDC fan is the main reason why it can live so long. Traditional DC motors use brushes to transfer current to a spinning commutator, which results in friction and wear and tear.
The BLDC Ceiling Fan has taken over the market. With new technological advancements, it has taken airflow to a whole new level.=
The traditionally used AC fans are known for their noisy squeaks and the need for lubrication from time to time. Hence, many people ask, "How long can a modern fan last without repair?"
One can understand that, with the wear-prone carbon brushes and using electronics for commutation and adopting sealed, high-quality bearings, BLDC fans embody the concept of longevity that runs for years.
They are the fittest to live an extremely long life, usually more than 15 to 20 years, which they achieve with very little mechanical maintenance being required.
Even though a lifetime of 15-20 years for a BLDC Ceiling fan is a reasonable expectation, the lifespan of the fan may be affected by a few factors from the environment or operational conditions without intervention:
If there is a lot of dust or moisture, it can make the parts of the motor that are exposed to the air stick or even cause a small amount of corrosion on the circuit board, which in turn can shorten the life of the electronic components or bearings.
Since they are based on electronic commutation, BLDC fans are less likely to withstand shocking power spikes and hence can get damaged, more than simple AC motors. A specially designed surge protector can prevent this risk.
A fan working around the clock will obviously have a shorter total life span (in years) than a fan that is only put to use for a few hours a day. Still, even under intensive usage, BLDC fans are more durable than AC ones.
Wrong installation may cause the motor or the mounting structure to be under heavy stress thus causing the bearings to be worn out or leading the fan to shake prematurely.
The one with higher-grade components, thicker copper windings, and better sealed bearings, a fan made with more quality will, of course, have a longer lifespan.
BLDC fans by their very nature are low-maintenance gadgets because the technology used in them is quite different from that of the more common Alternating Current (AC) fans.
The absence of carbon brushes in a BLDC fan is the main reason why it can live so long. Traditional DC motors use brushes to transfer current to a spinning commutator, which results in friction and wear and tear. Consequently, these brushes need to be replaced and carbon dust is generated.
In a BLDC motor, the current switching (commutation) is done by the electronics, i.e., a circuit board and sensors, so the only moving part is the rotor unit that is supported by the bearings and rotates.
The rotor in a BLDC fan spins on ball bearings. Usually, to justify the expected long life of the motor, producers go for the top-notch, tightly sealed ball bearings that have been lubricated for life.
The manufacturers have designed the bearings to retain their oil and be resistant to dust; hence, they never or very seldom require oiling from outside during the fan’s working life.
The energy consumption of BLDC motors is by far less than that of AC ones. Because of this, less energy is wasted as heat, which results in a lower operating temperature.
The heat generated in the motor windings, electronic components (e.g., the circuit board), and insulation is largely reduced with lower temperatures; thus, the degradation due to heat is avoided.
It is worth noting that the fan does not require any mechanical maintenance (no oiling, no brush changes); however, you may perform these simple and non-technical actions to be sure that the fan will serve you for more than 20 years:
The main thing that you should do is to regularly clean the fan blades and the motor housing.
Dust that is allowed to accumulate on the blades not only adds weight but also creates drag; thus, the motor has to work harder and the bearing life can be shortened.
Every few months, wiping the blades with a soft cloth or cleaning them with a vacuum cleaner that has a brush attachment will do the job.
Over time and years of vibration, screws and fasteners can gradually loosen.
The loose blade or mounting screw causes the irritating wobble that puts continuous uneven stress on the bearings and thus shortens the lifespan of the bearings.
Check the mounting screws and blade screws for tightness from time to time.
In the long run, the best way to protect the fan against electrical problems is by using power protection, since the fan depends on electronics.
The board that controls the motor is the most vulnerable component to a huge power spike.
It is important that your home or circuit is equipped with a good surge protection system.
Basically, a high-quality BLDC fan can be considered as a "set it and forget it" appliance. By no means can you expect that the fan will stop working silently and efficiently for decades without any drop of oil or a technician’s visit.
The BLDC ceiling fan is the home appliance of the future in terms of durability features.
Its maintenance-free attribute is not a claim based on hope but rather a consequence of excellent engineering: electronic commutation gets rid of wear from brushes, and sealed bearings do not require oiling.
Although they may be able to operate without any mechanical intervention for as long as 20 years or even more, a little non-technical work, for instance, simple cleaning and checking if the fasteners are tight, will assure you of getting the maximum value.
Consequently, the BLDC fan from Victura Airmotion is the very definition of a "set it and forget it" device, which could hardly be bettered in terms of energy efficiency and providing you with quiet, reliable airflow over a long period of time.
15 to 20+ years. (Much longer lifespan than regular fans).
Regular fans can last for 7 to 10 years. BLDC fans on the other hand can be changed when the motor or electronics come to a halt (significantly longer lifespan).
As long as it is within a safe temperature range, it can be continuous (the fan is made for continuous operation).
By removing the friction-heavy brushes and using permanent magnets, they consume only 30-38 watts (vs. 70-80W for standard fans).
They do not have brushes, thus there is no friction, wear, and dust caused by carbon brushes that are found in old DC motors.
Just the cleaning of the blades and checking if the screws are tight. Normally, there is no need for oiling or brush replacement.
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