Centrifugal Fans

Centrifugal fans, often referred to as "blowers" are designed to move air or gas by drawing it into a rotating impeller and expelling it radially at increased pressure. These fans are essential wherever controlled airflow is required for cooling, ventilation, extraction, or material conveying, particularly within industrial environments. Their robust design makes them suitable for demanding applications such as process cooling, dust and fume control, pneumatic conveying, combustion air supply, and engineered HVAC systems.

Centrifugal fans are available in a wide range of sizes, airflow outputs, and supply voltages to suit everything from compact electronic cooling to large industrial systems. The most common type is the single‑stage fan, which uses one impeller to deliver a dependable balance of pressure and airflow. For applications requiring higher static pressure—such as wastewater aeration, pneumatic material transport, or biogas processing—multi-stage centrifugal fans with two or more impellers provide enhanced performance under fixed pressure conditions. To explore the technology in more detail, visit our Guide to Centrifugal Fans.

At RS, we stock an extensive selection of centrifugal fans suitable for commercial, industrial, and specialist engineering environments. Our range includes models from trusted manufacturers such as ebm‑papst and Sanyo Denki, with options covering AC and DC voltages, high‑performance impeller designs, and a wide choice of IP ratings. With Next Day Delivery available, you can get the components you need quickly to keep your systems running efficiently.

Centrifugal Fan Selection Guide

When choosing a centrifugal fan, consider the following key factors to ensure optimal performance and compatibility with your application:

• Airflow Rate – Measured in m³/h, this defines how much air the fan can move. Higher airflow is beneficial for cooling larger enclosures or maintaining ventilation in demanding industrial environments.
• Supply Voltage – Fans are available in AC and DC variants, including common standards such as 12V, 24V, and 230V. Selecting the correct voltage ensures safe and reliable integration with your system.
• Noise Level – Rated in dBA, noise output matters in environments such as laboratories, offices, or electronics enclosures. Low-noise models help preserve acoustic comfort without compromising performance.
• Size – The physical dimensions of the fan influence both airflow capability and suitability for your installation. Common sizes like 120 mm and 150 mm are ideal for panel‑mount applications or confined spaces.
• Direction of Curve –Backward-curved impellers offer high efficiency and reduced noise, making them a strong choice for HVAC and filtration systems. Forward-curved impellers are compact and ideal for high‑volume, low‑pressure applications such as ventilation and air circulation systems.
• IP Ratings – For environments exposed to dust, moisture, or other contaminants, choosing a fan with a suitable ingress protection rating (e.g., IP54, IP65) ensures long‑term durability and consistent performance.

Centrifugal Fan vs Axial Fan

Centrifugal fans move air radially, creating higher pressure airflow suitable for ducted systems, industrial ventilation, and material transport. Axial fans move air parallel to the fan’s axis, offering higher flow rates at lower pressures—ideal for general cooling and open-air ventilation. You can explore these differences in more detail in our Centrifugal Fans vs Axial Fans Guide.