EC fans are generally recognised as being the latest thing in energy efficient air movement technology, but what is an EC fan and what makes it so special? EC stands for Electronically Commutated which basically means it’s a fan with a brushless DC motor.
Basic DC motors rely on carbon brushes and a commutation ring to switch the current direction, and therefore the magnetic field polarity, in a rotating armature. The interaction between this internal rotor and fixed permanent magnets induces its rotation. In an EC motor, the mechanical commutation has been replaced by electronic circuitry which supplies the right amount of armature current in the right direction at precisely the right time for accurate motor control.