133–630 mm Impeller diameter
EC / AC / DC Motor technology
25 W–5.5 kW Power range
IE5 ErP 2026 ready
50,000 h Service life
The centrifugal range

Backward curved centrifugal fans, EC plug fans and forward curved blowers — one EC motor platform

Blauberg Motoren specialises in backward curved centrifugal fans from 133 mm to 250 mm for the most common AHU and HVAC duty points, with impellers up to 630 mm for high-airflow plenum and fan-wall applications. Every centrifugal fan is available with EC, AC or DC motors from 25 W to 5.5 kW, so OEMs can standardise on one supplier across the full product line.

Blauberg EC backward curved centrifugal fan with external rotor motor
EC · AC · DC

Backward Curved Centrifugal Fan

EC backward centrifugal fan with free-running impeller on an external rotor motor. Non-overloading power curve, high static pressure, 133–630 mm — the standard choice for AHU, CRAC and ventilation OEMs.

133–630 mm 25 W–5.5 kW IE5
Blauberg EC plug fan / EC plenum fan on square mounting plate
EC plug · plenum

EC Plug Fan / EC Plenum Fan

Pre-balanced backward curved impeller, EC motor and electronics on one mounting plate — plugs into AHU casings, plenum chambers and fan walls without a scroll housing.

Fan wall ready Modbus RTU 175–630 mm
Blauberg forward curved centrifugal fan wheel, single inlet
Forward curved

Forward Curved Centrifugal Fan

Forward centrifugal blower with high airflow at low speed in a compact scroll — for fan coil units, air curtains, fresh air units (ERV/HRV) and air purifiers.

Single / dual inlet Ultra-quiet EC / AC
Blauberg EC single-inlet centrifugal blower with scroll housing and forward curved impeller
DC · EC blower

DC / EC Centrifugal Blower

Scroll-housed DC centrifugal fans and EC blowers, 12 / 24 / 48 V DC or EC, 30–250 mm — appliances, EV chargers, battery storage and equipment cooling.

12 / 24 / 48 V DC IP55 30–250 mm

What is an EC centrifugal fan?

An EC centrifugal fan combines a centrifugal impeller with an electronically commutated (EC) brushless DC motor and integrated electronics. It runs on AC mains, converts internally to DC, and offers 0–100% variable speed with typically 15–30% lower energy use than an AC centrifugal fan.

Backward curved vs forward curved centrifugal fan

A backward curved centrifugal fan runs free without a scroll housing, reaches higher static pressure and efficiency, and has a non-overloading power curve. A forward curved centrifugal fan (blower) moves more air at a lower speed in a compact scroll housing and is quieter at low pressure — ideal for fan coil units and air curtains.

Plug fan vs plenum fan — what is the difference?

"EC plug fan" and "EC plenum fan" describe the same product: a backward curved impeller and EC motor mounted on a plate that plugs into an AHU or plenum chamber and discharges radially without a housing. Several plug fans in parallel form a fan wall (fan array) with built-in redundancy.

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Where it runs

EC centrifugal fan applications: AHU, CRAC, refrigeration and beyond

Blauberg EC external rotor centrifugal fans are specified by HVAC OEMs and facility engineers in 90+ countries — in air handling units, data center CRAC and CRAH units, commercial refrigeration, industrial ventilation, air purification and new-energy thermal management across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Australia.

Heat recovery ventilating unit (HRV) cutaway with counter-flow plate heat exchanger and two EC centrifugal fans for supply and extract air Energy recovery ventilating unit (ERV) with spigot connections, EC centrifugal supply and extract fans inside
Ventilation · HRV / ERV fans

EC centrifugal fans for heat recovery (HRV) and energy recovery (ERV) ventilating units

The supply and extract fans decide most of an HRV/ERV's Specific Fan Power. Blauberg EC backward curved fans overcome heat-exchanger and filter pressure drop at over 60% system efficiency; EC forward curved blowers suit compact ceiling and wall units where a low-noise scroll housing is needed. Both modulate 0–100% on 0–10 V, PWM or Modbus to balance supply and extract and stay within ErP 2026 SFP limits.

  • Residential & commercial HRV/ERV — 15–30% less fan energy than AC
  • Constant-airflow or constant-pressure mode as filters load
  • Matched supply/extract pairs, 133–250 mm, 115/230 V — one part number per unit size
  • Samples in 7–15 days, series production scheduled to your build plan
Discuss an HRV / ERV fan pair
EC fan wall for AHU retrofit — 3×3 array of Blauberg EC plug fans with inlet guards on a modular stackable frame
HVAC & AHU · EC fan wall retrofit

EC plug fan array (fan wall) for AHU retrofit

Replace belt-driven centrifugal fans with an EC plug fan array to modernise existing air handling units without changing the casing. The BL-PF modular fan grid works with the STG-VFD central controller, adjusting speed from differential-pressure sensing to hold constant airflow — eliminating belts, grease and external VFDs, and adding N+1 redundancy to every AHU.

  • Large commercial building AHU retrofit — no belt maintenance
  • Hospitals, schools & shopping centres — energy-saving upgrade
  • Industrial facilities — high-redundancy parallel fan operation
  • New-build AHU integration — modular fast-track delivery
Discuss an AHU retrofit
Data centers · CRAC / CRAH fans

EC plenum fans for CRAC units and data center fan walls

Computer Room Air Conditioning (CRAC) and CRAH units run 24/7. Blauberg EC plenum fans deliver the high static pressure, Modbus variable-speed control and low noise that precision cooling demands, and their non-overloading backward curved impeller protects the motor when filters load. Operators use them to cut cooling energy and improve PUE without compromising thermal protection for IT equipment.

  • CRAC Precision Air Conditioning — server row cooling
  • Free Cooling Systems — reducing PUE and energy costs
  • Hot/Cold Aisle Containment — uniform temperature distribution
  • Cooling Unit Retrofits — replacing legacy inefficient fans
Talk to us about CRAC airflow
CRAC unit with Blauberg EC centrifugal fans supplying cool air under a raised floor to server racks
Supermarket aisle of glass-door refrigerated display cases — EC centrifugal fan application in commercial refrigeration
01 · Refrigeration

Commercial refrigeration

Full coverage across refrigerated display cases, supermarket cold chains, freezer warehousing and cold logistics. EC fans operate reliably at −25 °C, delivering 30%+ energy savings versus AC motor equivalents with zero-maintenance sealed bearing design.

Operating temp
−25 to +50 °C
Energy saving
≥30% vs AC
EC axial DC backward curved EC evaporator fan
Air handling unit with an EC fan array — five EC plug fans in the AHU fan section
02 · AHU

Air handling units (AHU)

EC plug fans and fan walls for new AHUs and belt-drive retrofits. Housing-less backward curved impellers plug straight into the fan section, hold constant pressure as filters load and give N+1 redundancy in 2×2 to 4×4 arrays — with 0–10 V or Modbus control to the BMS.

Plug fan range
250–630 mm
Static pressure
up to 1,500 Pa
EC plug fanFan wallBelt-drive retrofit
Cutaway of a commercial air purifier showing the EC centrifugal fan between HEPA and carbon filter stages
03 · Purification

Air purification & fresh air

Ultra-quiet, high-efficiency airflow for residential and commercial air purifiers, HRV/ERV fresh air units and medical clean rooms. EC cross-flow and forward-curved centrifugal fans in ultra-slim housings with speed modulation via Modbus.

Service life
50,000 h
Protocol
Modbus RTU
EC cross flowEC forward curvedTangential impeller
Outdoor DC fast EV charger enclosure with ventilation louvres — EC centrifugal fan cooling application
04 · New energy / EV

EV charging & battery thermal management

As global public EV charging points are projected to grow from ~4 million (2023) to over 15 million by 2030 (IEA), thermal-management demand for charging cabinet cooling and energy storage BMS is surging. Blauberg DC/EC compact fans — 12 V / 24 V, high reliability, long service life — are the preferred choice.

Supply voltage
12 / 24 V DC
Protection
IP55
DC blower 30–97 mmEC compact axialEnergy storage
Data center hall with CRAC / CRAH cooling units and overhead ductwork
05 · Home appliance

Consumer electronics & home appliances

Serving cooker hoods, residential fresh air units, air purifiers, tumble dryers and dishwasher exhaust systems. The full EC external rotor motor range starting from 30 mm offers ultra-compact design, low vibration, low noise and wide-voltage compatibility, fully certified for all major global markets.

Min. diameter
30 mm
Custom lead time
7–15 days
EC cross flowEC forward single-inletOEM development
Fan filter units (FFU) with EC centrifugal fans mounted in a cleanroom ceiling grid
06 · Healthcare & cleanrooms

Healthcare & cleanrooms

3D blades provide ultra-quiet operation and zero belt-dust contamination. Filtered exhaust, negative-pressure control and continuous operation for biosafety cabinets, FFUs and medical equipment.

Noise
≤60 dB(A)
Duty
24 / 7
EC backward curvedFFUFiltered exhaust
Rooftop fresh air treatment unit (FATU) with ductwork — EC centrifugal fan application
07 · Fresh air · FATU

Fresh air treatment units (FATU)

Rooftop and plant-room FATUs move 100% outdoor air through filters, coils and heat recovery — a high-pressure duty that suits the EC backward curved plug fan. Constant-pressure control holds design airflow as filters load, and Modbus lets the BMS trim outdoor air to occupancy for lower fan and coil energy.

Static pressure
up to 1,500 Pa
Control
Modbus · 0–10 V
EC plug fanConstant pressureFan wall
Data center aisle containment enclosure with in-row cooling and EC centrifugal fans
08 · Data centers

Aisle containment & in-row cooling

Hot/cold aisle containment and in-row coolers need compact, high-pressure fans that follow IT load. EC backward curved fans in parallel give N+1 redundancy per module, modulate 0–100% on differential pressure and report status over Modbus — lowering PUE without sacrificing thermal protection.

Redundancy
N+1 per row
Duty
24 / 7
EC backward curvedIn-row coolerModbus RTU
Containerised BESS battery storage enclosures with ventilation louvres and cabinet coolers
09 · Energy storage

BESS enclosures & battery storage

Battery energy storage containers and cabinets rely on forced air to keep cells within their temperature window. Blauberg EC and DC centrifugal fans deliver stable pressure through filters and louvres, run on 24/48 V or 230 V, and are IP55-rated for outdoor enclosures with long, maintenance-free service life.

Supply voltage
24 / 48 V DC · 230 V
Protection
IP55
DC backward curvedEC forward curvedCabinet cooling
Outdoor 5G macro base station cabinet (MBSC) beside a telecom mast
10 · Telecom

5G macro base station cabinets (MBSC)

Outdoor telecom cabinets run unattended in dust, rain and −40 to +55 °C ambient. Compact EC/DC centrifugal blowers provide filtered forced ventilation and heat-exchanger airflow with 48 V DC supply, tacho and alarm output, and speed that tracks cabinet temperature to save energy at partial load.

Ambient
−40 to +55 °C
Supply
48 V DC
DC blowerEC compact centrifugalFilter fan
CT scanner room — EC centrifugal fans for gantry and power cabinet cooling
11 · Medical imaging

CT & MRI equipment cooling

CT gantries, MRI gradient amplifiers and power cabinets dissipate kilowatts in a room where patients expect quiet. Low-vibration EC forward curved blowers and backward curved fans give high airflow at low noise, precise speed control and 50,000 h bearing life, with medical EMC and safety certification support.

Noise
low-vibration EC
Service life
50,000 h
EC forward curvedEC backward curvedMedical EMC
Large-format industrial 3D printer — EC centrifugal fans for chamber cooling and fume extraction
12 · Additive manufacturing

3D printer chamber cooling & extraction

Industrial 3D printers need controlled chamber airflow for part cooling, plus filtered fume extraction. Compact DC/EC centrifugal blowers deliver stable pressure through HEPA and carbon filters, PWM speed control synchronised with the print job, and quiet operation on the shop floor.

Speed control
PWM · 0–10 V
Impeller
97–190 mm
DC blower EC forward curved Filtered extraction
EC technology features

EC centrifugal fan vs AC centrifugal fan: why backward curved EC wins

An EC centrifugal fan pairs an IE5-class permanent-magnet motor with a backward curved impeller. Compared with a belt-driven or AC forward curved centrifugal blower, it uses 15–30% less energy, needs no external VFD, and stays efficient across the full speed range — meeting EU ErP 2026, ASHRAE 90.1 and Australian MEPS requirements.

01

Stepless speed control

0–100% continuously variable speed via RS485, 0–10 V DC, or PWM. Enables constant-pressure, constant-flow, or constant-torque operation modes.

02

Ultra-high efficiency

Overall system efficiency >60%. 15%–30% more efficient than comparable AC fans. EC motor + optimized backward-curved aerodynamics deliver maximum air per watt.

03

Fan wall redundancy

Multiple EC fans wired in parallel form a Fan Wall. If one unit fails, remaining fans auto-compensate airflow — ensuring uninterrupted system operation.

04

Intelligent BMS integration

MODBUS protocol integration for building automation systems. Real-time motor status monitoring, fault alerts, remote start/stop, and energy consumption logging.

05

Fault protection suite

Built-in protection against overload, overvoltage, undervoltage, locked-rotor. No external protection components required. Continuous self-monitoring.

06

Zero maintenance

Direct-drive: no belts, couplings, or lubrication. Sealed maintenance-free bearings rated to 50,000 h service life. EC motor eliminates brush replacement.

07

Multi-directional installation

360° continuous rotation adjustment. Supports horizontal, vertical and inclined orientations. Compact footprint enables tight-space installations.

08

Ultra-low noise

Backward-curved impeller + no mechanical commutation + skew magnetization technology. Measured noise values up to 60 dB(A) max — significantly quieter than AC equivalents.

Economics of a retrofit

EC fan retrofit for AHUs: upgrade the fan, keep the unit

Is your air handling unit more than 10 years old? Belt-driven centrifugal fans are typically the largest single energy consumer in an HVAC system, often 40–50% of a building's fan power. An EC plug fan retrofit in a commercial building or data center usually pays back in 2–2.5 years through energy savings alone.

Replacing the AC motor and belt drive with an integrated EC centrifugal fan removes the frequency converter, shielded motor cable and external motor protection — and adds Modbus monitoring for free.

Get a retrofit proposal
40–50%
of building power used by legacy belt-driven fans
2–2.5 yrs
typical payback period
175–630 mm
sizes — fits even the tightest AHUs
Zero
belt dust, carbon brushes or external VFD
Fan selection software

Centrifugal fan selection software for HVAC/R manufacturers

Manage everything yourself

Filter products by airflow, static pressure and electrical conditions. Performance curves, critical data, dimensional drawings and related files are presented together, reducing repeated look-ups and back-and-forth confirmation.

  1. 01
    Filter by operating conditionsEnter airflow, static pressure and electrical conditions to narrow the model range.
  2. 02
    Verify on the curveReview performance curves and the critical operating data at the duty point.
  3. 03
    Align with documentationReview dimensional drawings and related documents together for project confirmation.

Blauberg fan selection software — filter by fan type, impeller diameter, voltage, airflow and static pressure, with a searchable model table

Blauberg Group worldwide

Blauberg Motoren China
Part of the Blauberg Group since 1900

Suzhou Blauberg Motoren Technology Co., Ltd. is a specialist in EC brushless motors and intelligent fan solutions — delivering precise, maintenance-free, energy-efficient air movement across the full product lifecycle.

Blauberg Suzhou R&D laboratory and product showroom
Suzhou R&D Laboratory & Product Showroom
Blauberg stator assembly line
Stator assembly
Standard production lines and flexible cells work together.
Blauberg automated motor-winding station
Motor winding
Automated equipment controls the winding process.
Blauberg motor assembly station
Motor assembly
Manual stations and automated equipment in coordination.
Blauberg fan ageing test
Ageing test
Batch operation checks product stability.
Blauberg digital production work-order board
Digital production management
Work orders, progress, and on-site tasks in one view.
Blauberg noise-testing equipment
Noise testing
Multi-point measurements evaluate acoustic performance.
Blauberg wind-tunnel test-data interface
Test-data records
Equipment data and test results are retained.
Blauberg wind-tunnel test
Wind-tunnel testing
Checks airflow, pressure, and operating curves.
Blauberg R&D laboratory corridor
R&D laboratory
Supporting aerodynamic and motor testing.
Blauberg sound-power-level laboratory
Sound power level testing
Noise performance is checked in a controlled acoustic environment.
Product catalogue

Centrifugal fan catalogue 2026 (PDF)

Complete EC centrifugal fan catalogue: backward curved centrifugal fans, EC plug / plenum fans, forward curved centrifugal blowers and DC centrifugal blowers, 133–630 mm — dimensions, performance curves (m³/h · CFM · Pa · in. wg), wiring and Modbus control interfaces. Enter a work email and the PDF download starts immediately.

Download

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EC CENTRIFUGAL FAN FAQS
FOR BUYERS AND OEMS

What is an EC centrifugal fan?

An EC centrifugal fan is a centrifugal fan driven by an electronically commutated (EC) motor — a brushless permanent-magnet DC motor with integrated electronics that runs directly from AC mains (1~115/230 V or 3~400/480 V). Because speed is controlled electronically rather than by a belt or external VFD, an EC centrifugal fan delivers 0–100% variable airflow, 15–30% lower energy consumption than an equivalent AC centrifugal fan, and integrated Modbus, 0–10 V or PWM control.

Backward curved vs forward curved centrifugal fan — which should I choose?

Choose a backward curved centrifugal fan when static pressure is above roughly 300 Pa (1.2 in. wg), efficiency and energy compliance matter, or the fan will sit inside an AHU, CRAC unit or fan wall as a housing-less plug fan. Choose a forward curved centrifugal fan (blower) when the application needs high airflow at low pressure in a very compact scroll housing — fan coil units, air curtains, ERV/HRV units and purifiers. Blauberg manufactures both with EC, AC and DC motors.

What is the difference between an EC plug fan and an EC plenum fan?

There is no technical difference: "plug fan" and "plenum fan" are two names for the same product — a backward curved centrifugal impeller and EC motor on a mounting plate that discharges radially into a plenum without a scroll housing. "Plug fan" is more common in Europe and Asia, "plenum fan" in North America. Multiple plug fans installed in parallel form a fan wall or fan array.

DC centrifugal fan vs EC centrifugal fan — what is the difference?

Both use brushless permanent-magnet motors. A DC centrifugal fan is powered from a low-voltage DC supply (typically 12, 24 or 48 V) and is used in appliances, EV chargers, battery storage and equipment cooling. An EC centrifugal fan contains its own rectifier and controller, so it connects directly to AC mains while still behaving like a variable-speed DC motor — the right choice for AHU, CRAC and HVAC equipment.

Why choose an EC backward curved fan over a forward curved AC fan?

Backward curved blades deliver a naturally "self-limiting" power curve — the motor cannot overload even if system resistance drops unexpectedly. Paired with an EC permanent magnet motor, the system sustains high efficiency (typically 70–85% total efficiency) across the full operating range, whereas an AC motor may drop to 40–50% efficiency at partial load. The result: 30–50% energy savings in real-world HVAC duty cycles.

Does retrofitting an AC fan require replacing the entire cabinet or housing?

Not with a Plug Fan (also called a "Free-Inlet" or "Plenum Fan") design. The impeller, EC motor, and electronics ship as a single pre-balanced assembly that mounts directly inside the existing AHU casing — no scroll housing needed. Mechanical interface adapters and custom mounting plates can be supplied to match legacy footprints, making most retrofits a half-day installation.

How does Modbus RS485 (or 0–10 V / PWM) control improve system uptime?

Digital protocols like Modbus RTU allow the fan to report speed, current draw, input power, and vibration status directly to your BMS or PLC in real time. This shifts maintenance from scheduled replacement to condition-based intervention — you act on an anomaly signal weeks before a bearing failure, rather than discovering the shutdown after the fact. Analog 0–10 V / PWM inputs remain available for simpler BMS integrations.

What is an "external rotor" motor and why does it matter for fan design?

In an external rotor EC motor, the permanent magnet rotor is the outermost rotating shell, and the stator windings are fixed at the center. The impeller mounts directly onto this rotating outer shell — eliminating a separate shaft, coupling, and bearing housing. The result is a dramatically more compact and lighter assembly, shorter axial length, and inherently lower vibration because the rotor itself acts as a flywheel to damp imbalance.

What protection rating and service life can I expect?

Blauberg external rotor EC fans are built with IP55-rated sealed motors and precision imported bearings, rated for 40,000–50,000 hours of continuous operation — roughly 5–6 years at 24/7 duty, or well over a decade in intermittent HVAC service. The brushless EC commutation eliminates carbon brush wear, which is the primary wear-out mechanism in traditional AC motors.

Which certifications are required for different markets, and do your products carry them?

For North America, UL/ETL listing is the gateway requirement; CE + EMC + RoHS covers the EU and most export markets; CB certification enables acceptance across 50+ countries. Over 80% of Blauberg's EC fan range carries UL/ETL, CE, CB, and FCC certifications as standard, with ISO 9001 / 14001 / 45001 factory system certification. Specific compliance documents can be provided per SKU for project submissions.

How do I select the right fan model for my airflow and static pressure requirement?

Start with your system's design operating point (airflow in m³/h and static pressure in Pa). Use Blauberg's online Fan Selector tool to input these parameters alongside voltage, frequency, and any size constraints — the system auto-matches models and displays the fan curve with your operating point overlaid, plus efficiency and power data. For OEM projects with tight space envelopes or unique performance targets, custom impeller and motor combinations can be developed within 7–15 days.

Can EC centrifugal fans work with Building Management Systems (BMS) that use BACnet or other protocols?

Yes. While Modbus RTU over RS485 is the native embedded protocol, BACnet MS/TP and BACnet IP are accessible through a gateway module. For simpler installations, analog 0–10 V speed command and digital fault/run feedback signals cover the majority of BMS integration scenarios without additional hardware. Protocol specifications are available on request for controls engineers.

What are the main application sectors for EC backward curved centrifugal fans?

The primary verticals are: commercial AHU/FCU units, precision cooling for data centers, refrigeration evaporator and condenser sections, air purification and filtration cabinets, residential and light-commercial ERVs/HRVs, and industrial ventilation where variable flow and energy compliance (e.g., EU ErP Directive, US ASHRAE 90.1) are mandated. The self-limiting power curve and wide speed range make backward curved EC fans particularly well suited to VAV systems and inverter-driven AHUs.

What is the lead time, and can I get a sample before committing to a production order?

Standard catalog models ship within 15–25 days from order confirmation. Engineering samples for evaluation can be arranged within 7–10 days. For custom specifications — modified impeller diameter, non-standard voltage, special mounting — allow 7–15 days for prototype development before sample delivery. Minimum order quantities for custom variants are negotiable based on program volume.

Suzhou Blauberg Motoren Technology Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional centrifugal fans manufacturers and suppliers in China, featured by quality products and good service. Please rest assured to buy bulk customized centrifugal fans from our factory. Welcome to contact us for quotation.

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