Which San Ace Cooling Fan Do You Need?
- Standard DC Fans, 12 and 24 VDC, from 36 × 36 to 120 × 120 mm — Application requirement: DC-powered electronic equipment — Key specifications to check: Supply voltage, airflow, noise level and dimensions.
- High Speed / Long Life DC Fans (e.g. San Ace 9GV, 9GL) — Application requirement: High static pressure or extended service life — Key specifications to check: Static pressure-airflow curve and L10 life expectancy at the specified temperature.
- IP68 DC Fans (e.g. San Ace 9WP) — Application requirement: Exposure to dust and water — Key specifications to check: IP protection rating, cable configuration, mounting and operating temperature.
- AC and ACDC Fans, 230 VAC and 100–240 VAC — Application requirement: Mains-powered equipment — Key specifications to check: Supply voltage, power consumption and dimensions.
The most common fan sizes are 40 × 40, 60 × 60, 80 × 80, 92 × 92 and 120 × 120 mm, with different thicknesses (15, 25 and 38 mm). A 172 mm round frame version is also available for higher airflow requirements.
DC, AC or ACDC Cooling Fans?
12 VDC and 24 VDC fans are the most common choice for industrial electronics. They are compact, energy-efficient and can be powered from the same DC supply as the equipment.
AC fans connect directly to a 230 VAC mains supply.
ACDC fans operate from a 100–240 VAC input and use a DC motor with integrated power conversion electronics, combining the convenience of AC mains power with the efficiency of a DC motor.
In addition to supply voltage, check power consumption, inrush current, wiring configuration and mounting orientation.
The San Ace product range also includes versions with PWM speed control and rotation detection or alarm signals. Contact RTA to check availability of the appropriate part number.
Airflow and Static Pressure: The Two Key Performance Parameters
The airflow specified in a fan catalog is measured under free-air conditions, without obstructions.
Once the fan is installed, grilles, filters, ventilation openings and internal components create airflow resistance, reducing the actual airflow.
The operating point is determined by the intersection of the fan's pressure-airflow performance curve and the system resistance curve of your equipment.
For this reason, when the airflow path is restricted, a high static pressure fan is required.
High Speed series such as the San Ace 9GV can achieve static pressures of approximately 275 Pa, even in compact sizes, where a standard fan of the same dimensions would deliver significantly less pressure.
The online product selection covers airflow rates from approximately 11 m³/h for 40 mm models to over 300 m³/h for larger fan sizes.
How to Size Cooling Fans for an Electrical Control Cabinet
To select a cooling fan for an electrical control cabinet, first estimate the heat load to be dissipated and the allowable temperature rise between the inlet and outlet air.
Under normal air conditions, the following approximate formula can be used:
Required Airflow (m³/h) ≈ 3 × Heat Load (W) / ΔT (°C)
For example, with a heat load of 100 W and an allowable temperature rise of 10 °C, approximately 30 m³/h of airflow is required at the actual operating point.
The selected fan must therefore have a higher rated free-air airflow, since filters and grilles reduce the effective airflow through the equipment.
For critical applications, the cooling performance should be validated through thermal testing under actual operating conditions.
Cooling Fans for Inverters, Power Supplies and Electronic Boards
In inverters and power supplies, the hottest areas are typically power semiconductors and heat sinks.
The airflow path and fan selection should be designed together, because increasing airflow without directing it toward critical components often fails to achieve effective cooling.
A high static pressure fan positioned near a heat sink is often more effective than a larger fan with limited static pressure capability.
IP68 Cooling Fans for Harsh Environments
San Ace IP68 cooling fans provide protection against dust ingress and water immersion under specified test conditions.
They are suitable for outdoor machinery, humid environments and applications exposed to water.
Before selecting a fan, check the operating temperature range, cables and electrical connections, mounting orientation and potential exposure to chemicals.
Fan Lifetime and Noise Levels
SANYO DENKI fan lifetime is specified as L10 life expectancy at a reference temperature.
For example, selected DC models offer rated lifetimes of approximately 40,000–60,000 hours at 60 °C. Long Life series models provide even higher lifetime ratings.
Fan lifetime decreases as operating temperature increases. A fan operating at 70 °C will generally have a shorter service life than the same model operating at 40 °C.
The noise level, expressed in dB(A), also depends on the operating point and mounting conditions.
Axial Fans and Centrifugal Blowers
An axial fan moves air parallel to its axis of rotation. It provides high airflow relative to its overall dimensions and is the standard solution for cooling electrical cabinets and electronic equipment.
Centrifugal blowers are used when the airflow path presents high resistance and greater static pressure is required.
The RTA online selection focuses on axial cooling fans. For other SANYO DENKI cooling technologies, contact RTA Technical Support
