Fan and Blower First Principle Failure Modes

The following table contains the first principle failure modes embedded within FactoryTalk Analytics GuardianAI for fans and blowers. Fans and blowers are a specific application of motor analytics. When monitoring a fan or blower, Factorytalk Analytics GuardianAI will provide a combination of fan/blower and motor failure modes. These may be provided as recommendations during deviation detection based on the matching frequency analysis of the deviation
Failure Mode Label
Description
Blade Misalignment
Fan blade misalignment refers to a condition in which the blades of a fan, such as those used in industrial fans, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, or cooling equipment, are not properly aligned with each other or with the fan hub. This can lead to reduced airflow and efficiency loss.
  1. Angular Misalignment: Angular misalignment occurs when the fan blades are not oriented correctly in relation to the fan hub or the axis of rotation. In other words, the blades are not evenly spaced around the hub, creating an angular misalignment. This can result in uneven airflow and reduced fan efficiency.
  2. Parallel Misalignment: Parallel misalignment, also known as axial misalignment, occurs when the fan blades are not in the same plane as the fan hub's axis. This means that the blades are not aligned along the same plane, which can lead to imbalanced airflow and vibration.
  3. Combination Misalignment: In some cases, fan blade misalignment may involve a combination of both angular and parallel misalignment, creating a more complex misalignment issue.
Blade Unbalance
Fan blade unbalance refers to an irregular distribution of mass or weight in the blades of a fan, resulting in an uneven distribution of forces as the fan rotates. This condition can lead to excessive vibration and operational problems in fan systems, including industrial fans, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) fans, and other types of air-moving equipment.
Fan blade unbalance can occur due to various reasons, including manufacturing defects, wear and tear, erosion of blade material, damage, or the accumulation of foreign objects or debris on the blades
Blade Wear
Fan blade wear refers to the gradual deterioration or erosion of the surfaces of the blades in a fan, such as those used in industrial fans, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) systems, or cooling equipment, due to friction, abrasion, or other forms of material loss over time. This wear can be caused by various factors and can lead to several operational issues
Loose Blade
A loose blade in a fan refers to a condition where one or more blades of the fan assembly are not securely attached to the fan hub or rotor. This is a potentially hazardous situation that can lead to significant operational problems, safety concerns, and damage to the fan system.
Loose blades can result from various factors, including manufacturing defects, wear and tear, damage to blade attachment mechanisms, improper installation, or the failure of blade fasteners or hardware.
Electrical Fault
A fan electrical fault refers to a malfunction or problem within the electrical components of a fan system, such as those found in industrial fans, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) fans, or cooling equipment. These electrical faults can disrupt the fan's operation, impact its performance, and pose safety risks.
Fan electrical faults can occur due to various reasons, including electrical component wear, manufacturing defects, overheating, electrical surges, loose connections, insulation breakdown, or damage to electrical components.
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