How does a squirrel cage fan work?
Furnaces and air handler units use a squirrel cage blower fan to force air through ductwork and out of diffusers mounted to the walls, floors or ceilings of a house. When the squirrel cage runs, debris that passed through the filter clogs the thin spaces between the cage's blades.
How do you remove a squirrel cage from a furnace?
Loosen the retaining bolt on the end of the squirrel cage by turning it counterclockwise with an adjustable wrench. Slide the squirrel cage from the furnace or air conditioning unit.
What is a squirrel cage motor?
What are Squirrel Cage Motors? Squirrel cage motors are a subclass of induction motors, which harness electromagnetism to generate motion. They are so-called “squirrel cage” motors because the shape of their rotor – the inner component connected to the output shaft – looks like a cage.
Why does my Squirrel fan run all the time?
When the squirrel cage runs, debris that passed through the filter clogs the thin spaces between the cage's blades. This reduces the air pushed through the ductwork and forces the fan to run for longer periods.
How much does a squirrel cage cost for a furnace?
Blower wheel, a.k.a. “squirrel cage”: $50–$275. Capacitor: $150–$450. Housing: $100–$300.
What is the purpose of the squirrel cage in a furnace?
The main use of a squirrel-cage motor in a home HVAC system is that it powers the blower fan. If you have a forced-air heating system, such as a furnace, and/or an air conditioning system, the squirrel-cage motor is the part that turns the fans that blows the heated and cooled air through the ventilation system.
How do I get rid of squirrel cage in my furnace?
0:2910:02HVAC How to Remove a Squirrel Cage Blower Fan out of an Air ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can see that that screw right there with lights on and that screw right there not.MoreYou can see that that screw right there with lights on and that screw right there not.
What is meant by squirrel cage?
Definition of squirrel cage 1 : a cage for a small animal (such as a squirrel) that contains a rotatable cylinder for exercising. 2 : something resembling the working of a squirrel cage in repetitiveness or endlessness.
How do you clean a squirrel cage?
1:064:14"Henry the HVAC Man" shows how to properly cleans the HVAC blowerYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe cleaning solution is sprayed into every nook and cranny the blower friends are also sprayed withMoreThe cleaning solution is sprayed into every nook and cranny the blower friends are also sprayed with the cleaning solution this cleaning solution breaks down the dirt dust and grease.
What direction should a squirrel cage fan turn?
The fan wheel rotates clockwise or counter-clockwise, with the small forward-curved blades scooping the airflow and slinging it out as the wheel rotates.
How do you change a squirrel cage on a blower motor?
0:009:36How To Install a New Squirrel Cage Blower Wheel in a Furnace - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat hold this blower. And on the entire assembly will come out then you slide up in those tracks.MoreThat hold this blower. And on the entire assembly will come out then you slide up in those tracks.
How do you remove a blower motor from a squirrel cage?
10:5515:38Furnace Blower Motor Not Coming Out and How to Persuade itYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd sometimes it also helps to put two two by fours or something to prop up the blower motor housingMoreAnd sometimes it also helps to put two two by fours or something to prop up the blower motor housing on either side so that motor can just plop out otherwise.
How do you lubricate a blower motor on a furnace?
Apply two or three drops of 10-weight nondetergent motor oil (not all-purpose oil) to each port. Do not overlubricate. If the blower shaft has oil ports, it, too, should be lubricated annually, following the same procedure. You'll probably have to remove an access plate to get at the ports.
How do I know if I have a squirrel cage induction motor?
1:423:42Squirrel Cage Induction Motor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBetween the rotating and stationary parts of the machine. The rotor consists of a cylindricalMoreBetween the rotating and stationary parts of the machine. The rotor consists of a cylindrical laminated coat with parallel slots for carrying the rotor conductors. The rotor conductors are not wires.
What does a squirrel cage motor look like?
4:295:59Induction Motor Construction (Squirrel Cage Rotor) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBy a heavy ring of copper or aluminium. The rotor slots are usually not parallel to the shaft. ButMoreBy a heavy ring of copper or aluminium. The rotor slots are usually not parallel to the shaft. But eschewed the skewing of the rotor conductors has the following advantages.
Where are squirrel cage motor used?
Squirrel Cage Induction Motors are widely used in Industrial applications than slip ring induction motors due to cheaper in cost, rugged in construction, low maintenance.
Why do they call it a squirrel fan?
A squirrel cage blower, also known as a centrifugal blower, is used to move air and gases in a variety of applications. This equipment is so named since its construction looks similar to that of a hamster wheel.
How do I know if I have a squirrel cage induction motor?
1:423:42Squirrel Cage Induction Motor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBetween the rotating and stationary parts of the machine. The rotor consists of a cylindricalMoreBetween the rotating and stationary parts of the machine. The rotor consists of a cylindrical laminated coat with parallel slots for carrying the rotor conductors. The rotor conductors are not wires.
Where are squirrel cage induction motors used?
These motors are commonly used in: Centrifugal pumps. Industrial drives (e.g. to run conveyor belts) Large blowers and fans.
What does a squirrel cage motor look like?
4:295:59Induction Motor Construction (Squirrel Cage Rotor) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBy a heavy ring of copper or aluminium. The rotor slots are usually not parallel to the shaft. ButMoreBy a heavy ring of copper or aluminium. The rotor slots are usually not parallel to the shaft. But eschewed the skewing of the rotor conductors has the following advantages.
What is the purpose of a squirrel cage?
The stator and the rotor are the two fundamental parts of any induction motor, and the squirrel cage is simply one method of leveraging the electromagnetic induction effect. The AC current passed through the stator creates an EMF that fluctuates with the AC frequency, which “rotates” around the rotor, inducing opposing magnetic fields in ...
How do Squirrel Cage Motors Work?
In essence, squirrel cage motors work no differently than most other induction motors and only differ in the specific interaction between rotor and stator. Our article all about induction motors contains a discussion of the principal laws behind all induction motors and gives an understanding of how motion is created from magnetism.
Why are squirrel cages induction motors so popular?
Squirrel cage induction motors are popular choices in industry, in part due to their low cost, ease of maintenance, high efficiency, good heat regulation, and safety. Their biggest downside is their lack of speed control, which is why other motors ( wound rotor motors) have been developed to address these applications.
Why is the squirrel cage motor asynchronous?
This rotor does not spin at the exact frequency of the AC current and is why squirrel cage motors (as well as other induction motors) are considered asynchronous. There is always some loss, or “slip”, between the AC frequency and the rotational frequency of the shaft, and this is a consequence of why the rotor rotates in the first place.
How many classes of squirrel cage motors are there?
Figure 2 shows the curves for different NEMA classes of squirrel cage motors. There are four main classes (A, B, C, and D), though there are more depending upon specificity. These four classes are summarized in Table 1 in terms of their starting torque, current, and amount of slip. Other, non-standard squirrel cage motors exist but are usually built as-per buyer specifications.
How does a squirrel cage blower work?
Furnaces and air handler units use a squirrel cage blower fan to force air through ductwork and out of diffusers mounted to the walls, floors or ceilings of a house. When the squirrel cage runs, debris that passed through the filter clogs the thin spaces between the cage's blades. This reduces the air pushed through the ductwork and forces the fan to run for longer periods. Cleaning debris out of the squirrel cage will increase airflow and reduce utility bills.
How to keep squirrel cages clean?
Use a pre-filter to keep squirrel cages clean.
