| Selection Factors for Fan Drives Load Variability → VFD or EC motors for variable loads. Energy Efficiency Goals → Direct-drive, VFD, or EC motors. Maintenance Capability → Belt-driven requires more upkeep. Cooling Tower Size → Gear drives for very large fans. Budget → Belt-driven is cheapest upfront; EC/VFD saves long-term energy costs. Emerging Trends Smart Cooling Towers: IoT-enabled VFDs for predictive maintenance. Magnetic Bearing Fans: Maintenance-free, ultra-high-efficiency systems (used in some advanced data centres). |
