Refrigerator evaporator fan motor

01

Match the supply, power, speed and airflow

MinebeaMitsumi lists DC fan motors made for refrigerator evaporators. Its 12537JE series runs on 12 V nominal (7.0–13.2 V operating), drawing 0.07–0.14 A and 0.84–1.69 W at 1,900–2,550 min⁻¹, with maximum airflow of 1.62–2.17 m³/min, maximum static pressure of 24.8–42.9 Pa, noise of 26.0–35.0 dB and a mass of 220 g. [1] Its 12038GE series draws 0.15–0.24 A and 1.80–2.88 W at 1,600–1,950 min⁻¹, with 1.03–1.28 m³/min airflow, 50.0–76.0 Pa static pressure, 32.0–38.0 dB and 170 g; airflow values are averages in free air. [2]

For AC mains supply, a Fasco bulletin introducing Elco's NU series describes aftermarket shaded-pole motors (AC, 4 poles, single speed) for condensing and evaporating units, freezers and walk-in and reach-in coolers, from 1/375 HP to 1/20 HP (2 to 34 W). Its table lists each rating at 1,550 rpm in 115 V and 230 V versions, from EC4W115 (4 W, 0.36 A) to EC34W230 (34 W, 0.80 A); the 9 W model draws 0.58 A at 115 V and 0.35 A at 230 V. [3]

The same bulletin describes Elco's ECM-IP electronically commutated motors for refrigeration condensing and evaporating units, rated at 10 to 15 W, 115 V and 1,450–1,600 rpm, with efficiency up to 70%, which it calls 4–5 times that of a traditional shaded-pole fan motor. [3]

Editorial calculation: MinebeaMitsumi's airflow of 1.62–2.17 m³/min for the 12537JE equals 1.62 × 60 ≈ 97 to 2.17 × 60 ≈ 130 m³/h, and 1.03–1.28 m³/min for the 12038GE equals about 62–77 m³/h. [1] [2]

Editorial calculation: at 115 V the 10 W ECM-IP EC-HE-0182 is listed at 0.19 A against 0.58 A for the 9 W shaded-pole EC9W115, about 0.19 ÷ 0.58 ≈ one third of the current. [3]

Give the supplier the supply (115 V or 230 V AC and frequency, or 12 V DC with its operating range), input power limit, speed, required airflow and static pressure through your evaporator and ducts, noise limit, rotation and airflow direction, shaft or hub and fan-blade dimensions, mounting, lead wires and connector, operating temperature and icing conditions, insulation class and protection, approvals and quantity.

02

Check cold duty, rotation, insulation and standards

MinebeaMitsumi states that its refrigerator evaporator fans can be built with ice-resistant and dust-proof structures, operate from −40 to +40 °C (storage to +70 °C for the 12537JE and +60 °C for the 12038GE) in a non-condensing environment, have auto-restart motor protection, and are specified to 10 MΩ or more insulation resistance at DC 500 V and AC 700 V for 1 s dielectric withstand. Expected life is 70,000 hours at −20 °C (L10). Both series use ball bearings, UL94V-0 plastic casing and impeller, and UL1007 AWG26 leads. [1] [2]

Rotation and airflow direction differ by model: the 12537JE turns clockwise seen from the label side and blows out on the label side, while the 12038GE turns counterclockwise and blows out sideways. Elco's ECM-IP motors turn counterclockwise from the shaft end and mount a fan blade on a hub with 4 pins of .133" diameter on a 1" bolt circle, with M4 studs on a 3.72" circle for the guard. [1] [2] [3]

Elco's NU shaded-pole motors are totally enclosed for continuous air-over duty, with self-lubricating, self-aligning sleeve bearings (ball bearings on request), Class B insulation, impedance or thermal protection and a standard operating range of −40 °F to 104 °F (−40 °C to 40 °C); the ECM-IP motors are totally enclosed to IP65 and IP66 with sealed ball bearings. [3]

IEC 60335-2-24:2020, adopted as GSO IEC 60335-2-24:2024, covers the safety of refrigerating appliances for household and similar use rated up to 250 V single-phase, 480 V for other appliances and 24 V DC when battery operated, including compression-type appliances with flammable refrigerants; motor-compressors and commercial refrigerating appliances fall under other parts. [4] An Intertek notice on UL 1004-1, the UL general requirements for rotating electrical machines, says a revision narrowed its scope to motors rated 1,000 V or less, with 1,000 to 7,200 V moved to UL 1004-9, effective June 22, 2017. [5]

03

Motor type, ratings, airflow curve and icing tests to ask each fan motor supplier for

When requesting quotations, ask each supplier for the motor type (shaded-pole, EC or DC brushless), electrical ratings, a speed and airflow curve, rotation, bearing type, insulation class, low-temperature and icing test results, outline drawings, approvals and samples.

04

Motor, bearings, impeller and hub, frame and mounting, leads and protection

Bearings and protection are where AC and DC designs part: Elco's NU shaded-pole motors use sleeve bearings with impedance or thermal protection, while MinebeaMitsumi's 12 V DC fans list ball bearings and auto restart. [3] [1]

05

Voltage, power, speed, airflow, noise, insulation class and cold-duty range for a fan motor order

Airflow should be asked for at your evaporator's static pressure: the 1.03–2.17 m³/min MinebeaMitsumi lists are maximum free-air figures. [2] [1]

06

Send the supply, airflow and cold-duty conditions together

Paste it into your enquiry below or into an email to a maker, then replace every bracket.

Supply: [115/230 V AC, Hz; or 12 V DC range]
Type: [shaded-pole; EC; DC brushless]
Performance: [W; rpm; airflow and static pressure; noise]
Mechanical: [rotation; shaft or hub; blade; mounting]
Duty: [temperature range; icing; humidity]
Electrical: [insulation class; protection; leads; connector]
Approvals and quantity: [standards; units]

See manufacturer records Send an enquiry through CNFX