View source for Engineering:Internal fan-cooled electric motor

An '''internal fan-cooled electric motor''' (colloquially, ''fan-cooled motor'') is a self cooling [[Physics:Electric motor|electric motor]]. Fan cooled motors feature an axial fan attached to the [[Engineering:Rotor (electric)|rotor]] of the motor (usually on the opposite end as the output shaft) that spins with the motor, providing increased airflow to the motor's internal and external parts which aids in cooling.
[[File:Smallfancooledmotor.jpg|250px|right]]

== Uses ==
Fan cooled motors have many common uses in motors that either produce a lot of heat or have poor airflow because they are always stationary or in an enclosed space and require a compact cooling system. They are common for industrial uses,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.frasers.com/public/searchResults.jsf;jsessionid=AA6F5C172D9346CF0319292AF52D3B5A?dimensionName=Motors+-+Fan+Cooled&guided=true&ProductID=16669|title=www.frasers.com/public/searchResults.jsf}} {{dead link|date=August 2019|fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> household appliances such as blenders and mixers, power tools such as drills and rotary tools, and radio-controlled cars<ref>{{cite web | title=Titan 12T Motor | website=Traxxas | date=2013-04-02 | url=https://traxxas.com/products/parts/motors/titan12T | access-date=2019-09-01}}</ref>

== Advantages ==
Attaching an internal fan to a motor is a fairly simple way to cool it. Since a fan cooled motor always provides airflow over itself regardless of whether it is stationary or partially enclosed, it is more effective than using a [[Physics:Heat sink|heat sink]] in applications with poor airflow because [[Physics:Heat sink|heat sink]]s usually require air to be flowing over them for maximum effectiveness. Internal fan cooling also takes up far less space than [[Engineering:TEFC|external fan cooling]] or [[Physics:Water cooling|water cooling]].

== Disadvantages ==
All fans generate noise, something that may not be desired in a motor, and [[Physics:Drag|drag]] on their power source. Also, like any device with a fan, increased airflow through the motor can cause increased dust build up, which could potentially hinder the motor's operation.

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Electric motors]]

{{Sourceattribution|Internal fan-cooled electric motor}}