EC motors in FFUs – energy efficiency in the cleanroom

FFU: The heart of the cleanroom – and a permanent power consumer

• The Filter-Fan-Unit (FFU) ensures the flawless air quality of a cleanroom environment by continuously drawing in, filtering and circulating the air in the work area.

Because these systems often run continuously around the clock, the entire ventilation technology is the largest item in the energy cost balance. Depending on the ISO class and the required air exchange rate, 60-80% of the total energy costs of your cleanroom are attributable to the fans – be it in the generation of cooling with the fans installed there, the climate cabinets, ceiling units or the FFUs. Choosing the right motor therefore has a direct impact on your operating costs and sustainability.

AC vs. EC: Why the classic motor is becoming a power guzzler

The robust AC (alternating current) motor has been the standard for decades. It works with alternating current and generates its magnetic field through induction. However, this proven principle has decisive disadvantages:

• • Inefficiency at partial load: AC motors are optimized for a fixed operating point. As soon as they run at partial load (reduced speed), their efficiency drops rapidly.

• • Energy loss due to heat: Part of the electrical energy supplied is not converted into power but into unnecessary heat (induction losses).

EC motors in FFUs: up to 50 % energy savings

The EC motor (Electronically Commutated) is the energy-efficient answer that has now also found its way into cleanroom technology. At its core, it is a brushless DC motor (BLDC) with integrated, digital control electronics.

This technology converts the alternating current directly into direct current and controls the magnets in the rotor electronically. This results in several unbeatable advantages that drastically reduce power consumption:

• • High efficiency – achieves up to 90 % efficiency as there are no induction losses due to permanent magnets.

• • Better partial load behavior – the efficiency remains consistently high even with reduced air volume; this is where the greatest savings potential lies, so that FFU can be lowered as a sleep mode while maintaining a uniform flushing of the room

• • Less heat generation – reduced operating temperature also lowers the cooling load of the entire cleanroom.

• • Longer service life – the brushless design reduces wear and maintenance costs.

The facts speak for themselves: EC motors enable energy savings of up to 50 % compared to classic AC motors.

Your cleanroom tent with EC-FFU

A cleanroom tent with our energy-saving EC-FFUs (e.g. type SGE EC) optimally combines ecology and economy:

• • Short payback period: The energy costs saved often offset the purchase costs within two years.

• • Sustainable production: Significantly less electricity consumption reduces your CO₂ emissions.

The switch to EC technology is a clear economic decision.