Practical fan tests on igorsLAB – This is how testing and evaluation are carried out | Basics

Practical fan tests on igorsLAB - This is how testing and evaluation are carried out |  Basics

Practical fan tests on igorsLAB – This is how testing and evaluation are carried out | Basics

Fans are a dime a dozen, but which fan fits which system? Is a model suitable as a case fan and how does it really perform on different radiators? What about the real speed range, how high is the start-up or switch-on speed and which parameters does such a fan offer over the speed range, including the mostly unavoidable noise emissions? The available data sheets from suppliers (and manufacturers) are almost always insufficient for all these situations in life. And is it actually true, which is often promised full-bodied?

And since there is currently no source that offers realistic and usable data in comparison, we have invested a lot of time and money and, with the advice of a cooling device manufacturer, simply developed and then calibrated our own fan measuring station. Pascal has done a great job here and the result as a “Sarcophagus I” model is now quite impressive. The heavy and massive body made of thick MDF panels is screwed, glued and lined with soundproofing. In this article you will learn how all of this works and what we can ultimately measure and what not.

Of course, what we can measure from now on only meets semi-professional requirements, even if all measuring devices were calibrated in a complex and costly manner. But that is sufficient for all areas of PC self-assembly and conversion. We are of course not a standardization company or the TÜV, but try to measure everything as precisely as possible, which is still within reasonably affordable limits. Initially, we will also present the tested fan series as individual items, later this will become a real database with search and specifications, as well as a freely downloadable test protocol for each model.

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Test as a case fan or on radiators

At the moment, the question always arises as to which characteristics such a 120 or 140 mm fan really has. Not every model is suitable for all radiator strengths and many a supposed muscle man loses so much pressure on radiators that he can hardly be described as suitable. The information on volume flow (“throughput”) and static pressure in the data sheets do not help if something still works well on a slim radiator and fails completely on a 45 mm radiator.

In the picture we can see the middle partition between the two chambers, which carries the fan and also the radiator. Decoupling is of course very important and we thankfully had professional help with the calculation of the volume for the chambers. Each of the chambers is also suitably lined with knobbed foam.

Radiators and fans are decoupled and screwed on with their own clamping device. In the picture you can see the improvised clamp with thick washers and insulating material as a base. The control takes place via a purchased Aquaero from Aqua Computer, so that we can regulate and test the fans both by voltage (DC) or by PWM. Both are needed, because many fans, some do not know that, cannot be brought to the lower and upper limits of the speed range with pure voltage regulation.

Volume flow

We measure the volume flow at the outlet of the second chamber, where the air is blown out. This area is covered relatively precisely by comparative measurements in the measurement setup of the cooling device partner, so that our testo 410i now delivers quite reliable results for the electronic measurement data acquisition, which correspond very well with the reference data of the professional measurement.

Static pressure

As usual, the static pressure is measured as a differential pressure measurement. For this purpose, the special “bowl” is clamped on so that it closes airtight. Here too, of course, it was measured and calibrated with borrowed, professional equipment. For this measurement, we also use a testo device that we purchased ourselves with the 510i and collect the data wirelessly.

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Noise emission

The measurement of the noise level is a bit tricky, but works quite well in the evening hours at the measurement location. We decided on dBA or dBC, because values ​​below a sone can hardly be reliably recorded with affordable and calibrated equipment and the software conversion of various software programs in this low range is more confusing and imprecise. Then rather dBA, especially since most people can do something with it. The measuring distance is 50 cm to the central axis of the fan inlet.

A later calibrated by us according to ISO is used Voltcraft SL 451 for use, the microphone of which we have placed decoupled from the body. The data is recorded outside the measuring chamber. The Voltcraft SL 451 was kindly made available to us in an uncomplicated manner by Conrad Elektronik. It is also the only component that was not acquired by ourselves. All other measuring devices including accessories and electronics were bought by us or provided from private stocks.

We will not go into specific details and solutions in this article, because there is still some foreign know-how in this structure and some things would probably lead too far for the normal consumer. If you are interested in it and would like to recreate something like this, you are of course welcome to contact us. This also applies to everyone who would like to bring in suggestions and tips, because we are still at the very beginning and can also correct or expand them.

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What we measure and what the result looks like can be seen on the next page using a fan selected as an example, which is anything but our reference. That’s exactly what we’re still looking for suchen

Testaufbau
Housing / measuring chamberTwo-chamber measurement setup with sound insulation
Volume flow and flow velocitytesto 410i (calibrated)
Differenzdruckmessungtesto 510i (calibrated)
Sound level measurement

Voltcraft SL 451 (Conrad, permanent loan, calibrated)

Speed ​​control and fan controlAqua Computer Aquaero 6 Pro
InstallationMarch 2021

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