Amperage draw versus Air flow VFD Fan

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between amperage draw and airflow in a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) fan system, particularly as downstream resistance increases due to filter loading. Participants explore the implications of constant amperage draw despite changes in resistance and airflow, examining theoretical and practical aspects of fan operation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that the fan speed remains constant while downstream resistance increases, leading to confusion about the implications for airflow and amperage draw.
  • Another participant suggests that airflow may be stalling, which might not be reflected in amperage tests, and recommends checking static pressure downstream.
  • A different participant questions the control status of the VFD and emphasizes the need for actual measurements of downstream resistance to understand the situation better.
  • It is proposed that the relationship between filter loading, airflow, and pressure is not always linear, suggesting that constant amperage could occur even if airflow decreases.
  • One participant mentions that the brake horsepower (BHP) remains constant due to constant voltage and current, raising a question about the proportionality of static pressure increase to airflow decrease.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the relationship between amperage draw and airflow in this context. There is no consensus on whether constant amperage indicates constant airflow, and multiple competing views are presented regarding the implications of filter loading and fan performance.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the need for specific measurements of airflow and static pressure to clarify the situation, indicating that assumptions about linear relationships may not hold true in this case.

mattibo
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I have a VFD fan that pushes air through a filter. Over time, downstream resistance gets higher due to the filter. Fan speed remains constant. We have looked at amperage draw and it has remained stable even with this added resistance. Does that mean that air flow remains constant?

Kind of confused that we are getting constant amperage. I'm inclined to think that we should be seeing a decrease in amperage draw since we should be pushing less air to due added downstream resistance.
 
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Fans come in many blades some for CFM others for presser . it is probable that your air flow is stalling . This would not show in a amp test. Did you check the static presser downstream . You could remove the filter then if air stalling was the problem the amp should show a higher reading. A stall air flow will still hold a press downstream.
 
mattibo said:
I have a VFD fan that pushes air through a filter.

Fan speed remains constant.
What is the VFD doing? Is it under any sort of control?


Over time, downstream resistance gets higher due to the filter.
How much? Are you actually measuring it?
We have looked at amperage draw and it has remained stable even with this added resistance. Does that mean that air flow remains constant?
Not necessarily. Filter loading is not always a linear (or parabolic) relationship between airflow and pressure and the fan curve can have different shapes, so if resistance goes up and airflow goes down, the amperage could stay the same. That's not common, but it is possible.

Do you have a way of reading the airflow?
Kind of confused that we are getting constant amperage. I'm inclined to think that we should be seeing a decrease in amperage draw since we should be pushing less air to due added downstream resistance.
That would be the expected result, yes.
 
What is the VFD doing? Is it under any sort of control?
No control. Just for additional operational flexibility.

How much? Are you actually measuring it?
Between 2-3 in. H2O

Not necessarily. Filter loading is not always a linear (or parabolic) relationship between airflow and pressure and the fan curve can have different shapes, so if resistance goes up and airflow goes down, the amperage could stay the same. That's not common, but it is possible.

BHP is constant since P = IV and both voltage and current are constant in my case. I guess that means that my increase in delta static pressure across the fan is exactly proportional to my decrease in air flow no?

Do you have a way of reading the airflow?

That is the next step.
 

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