DC Fans (direct current fans)
The DC fans are powered with a potential of fixed value such as the voltage of a battery. Typical voltage values for DC fans are, 5V, 12V, 24V and 48V.
AC Fans (alternating current fans)
The AC fans are powered with a changing voltage of positive and of equal negative value. In general, this changing voltage has sinusoidal shape. Worldwide, the usual value of this sinusoidal voltage may vary in size and in frequency, such as 100V, 120V, 200V, 220V, 230V or 240V, and with frequency (cycles per second) of 50Hz or 60Hz.
EC Fans (electronically commutated fans)
The EC fans use AC voltage too, but they can have a wider voltage range. They accept a supply voltage from 90 to 266 VAC, while maintaining the same performance throughout the arc of supplied voltages.
Comparison between DC,AC and EC fans:
| Items | DC Fans | AC Fans | EC Fans |
| Voltage | 3V,5V, 12V, 24V, 32V, 48V, 60V, etc | 100V, 120V, 220V, 230V, 240V, etc | 24-380V etc |
| Noise | DC＜EC＜AC | ||
| Speed/rpm | Up to 10000 rotations / min | Up to 3600RPM | 0~100% speed modulation |
| Airflow | Variable, Uneven flow | Change direction 50 times a second in order to provide a constant flow | AC＜EC |
| Power Consumption | DC＜EC＜AC | ||
| Efficiency | AC＜DC＜EC | ||
| Lifespan | AC＜DC＜EC | ||
| Application | AC DC EC fans are found in a wide range of services including air conditioning, ventilation and heat-recovery, heating, refrigeration, humidification, condensers, evaporators, laminar flow units, fume and dust controlling and applied across wide range of sectors. |
SUMMARY
AC fans air flow is more stable and continually than DC Fans, which can average the machinery temperature. EC Fans are combined the advantages of AC fans and DC fans, high efficiency and energy saving.
Hon&Guan AC & EC fans offer solution to ventilation problem, especially in places where people work and live and low sound level is required, such as meeting room, office, hotel, public place, residence, hospital, gym and etc.