Why the Best Made Ceiling Fans are Run by a DC Motor

Before we knew any better, AC and DC meant very different things to us than they do now. AC was a Florida summertime staple used to keep cool; and DC was an abbreviation for our nation’s capital. However, our journey to understand the difference between an AC motor and a DC motor has been an enlightening one. Now, when our five year old asks us to explain how things move, we can tell her. They move because they have motors. So what to do when it comes time to purchase our next ceiling fan? Which motor is going to be the best choice for us? An AC motor, or a DC motor? Brands like Craftmade, that make best selling DC ceiling fans such as the Craftmade DC Union, are definitely to be kept in mind. But still, we asked, what are the differences between these two motor types?

All motors work by converting electrical energy into mechanical energy. But the similarities end there for AC and DC motors. AC (Alternating Current) motors are powered by plugging them in to a power source. DC (Direct Current) motors are powered through the use of a battery or a converter. The speed of the motors is also controlled differently. For an AC motor, the speed is controlled by varying the frequency, while the speed of a DC motor is controlled through the current. A DC motor is by far the preferred motor in many applications today, from electric trains to cranes to elevators, and are definitely the choice for ceiling fans. Here’s why:

• A DC motor has a higher torque from the start, meaning greater initial power
• A DC motor is far quicker to control, resulting in fans that start, stop, reverse and accelerate more quickly

DC motors are more technologically advanced, so you can expect to pay more money for a DC ceiling fan. Although they cost a bit more upfront, ceiling fan manufacturers like Craftmade believe that the advantages of versatility and the speed of a fan with a DC motor, such as the Craftmade DC Epic, are well worth the costs.

With its great speed and functionality, why not choose a fan with a DC motor?