Performance results for a high efficiency tropical ceiling fan and comparisons with conventional fans

This paper presents a new design of a ceiling fan. This new fan features high overall system efficiency. An axial-flux brushless DC machine (BDCM) with high energy-efficiency is used to drive newly designed, high efficiency blades, incorporated into a complete new overall design. In addition, a conventional ceiling fan has been retrofitted with a high efficiency BDCM and associated drive electronics. Performance testing has been undertaken. A detailed study of a range of commercially available conventional ceiling fans has been undertaken. Comparative results of measurements of electrical input power, mechanical power on the shaft, approximated power in the airflow, and calculated efficiencies are presented.