Electric Fans

Electric fans are referred to as mechanical device with an axial blade attached to a winding motor powered by electrical current. Electric fan is an evolution of a handheld fan. This innovation makes ventilation more convenient to humans.

Electric fan is powered either in alternate current or direct current or combination. Electric fans in households used alternate current with voltage of 110 or 220. Smaller versions use DC with 12 or 24 volts.

Electric fans are a convenient item in residences. It is used for chilling and heatstroke prevention. It blows wind naturally and does not pollute the air. It is less expensive than the air conditioner and can be brought and used anywhere where there is electrical connection to plug on. It is a must appliance especially to people who live in tropical climate.

Electric fans are among the most widely commodities used in the 1920’s. But before this period, the use of electric fan was only limited to industrial and commercial applications. The high cost of steel was the main reason electric fans were not massively produced. Finally, in 1920, a mechanical innovation has allowed manufacturers to craft different from and sizes that resulted to mass production and affordability of electric fans.

Yet in the wake of electricity-driven fan phenomenon, mechanically powered fans were already in use in the Middle East and neighboring places. It was an anthropological advancement that resembled that of a modern ceiling fan. It was called punkah and was widely used in the 1500s. The 1700s was the period of wind powered fans. And in the 1800s, the water driven fans were invented by the Hunt Brothers.

Electric fans can be in many forms. In residences, electric fans are in the form of ceiling fans, wall fans, floor fans, tabletop fans or vintage electric fans. Portable electric fan is a more convenient form for it can be carried and placed anywhere in the house or even outside. Ceiling fan is more of an ornamental household item than just an electric wind blower. Wall fans are installed-type of fan. The vintage electric fan is a steel-made axial blade fan. This type is a product of the early 20th century.

Electric fans nowadays are made from durable thermoplastic almost replacing the steel-fan blade. This makes fan safer to people especially to curious kids.

Vintage electric fans have been widely used to cool homes even today. But the concept of fan has made a lot of big leaps leading to the inventions of many items such as air-conditioner. Air-conditioning unit uses electric fans inside its body and is an improved version of electric fan.

The popularity of air conditioner reduces the demand for electric fans. Nevertheless, the industry of electric fan finds other niche beyond just a household appliance. The concept of electric fan extends itself to other domestic and industrial applications.

Several equipment finds the need for ventilation to prevent the machine from overheating. In electronics, electric fan is used to cool the CPU. The electronic board is sensitive to very high temperature. It may damage once a temperature reached to a high level. Electric fan in smaller version is used for this purpose and is integrated into the CPU. The small electric fan only consumes little voltage.

Electric fan is also applied into many industries such as the automobile. Automotive electric cooling fan is one example. It is necessary to cool the automotive machines such as the radiator. More problems will be associated when no electric cooling fans are in place.

Electric fan powered by solar panel is another innovation in technology in which the fan uses electricity from solar panels that collect radiation from the sun. The collected radiation is converted into electricity for many uses.

Electric fan as a household appliance will not be eliminated or replaced by air conditioner. Its use is still prevalent for it is more convenient than the air conditioner. Electric fans give ventilation to humans, machines and other equipment.