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Del Mar Designs Rating System

All of our fans are rated by the following standards

We take all of the below qualities of a product and put them together to create a 1 thru 5 star rating

Motor Type & Motor Size

"Stator" Flywheel Stack Ceiling Fan Motor - The stator refers to the outer casing of the motor which houses copper windings on an iron core. On the inside of this casing the motor is made up of a stack of steel laminations pressed into an aluminum frame. The Laminations are in a round punched out form allowing the rotor to be positioned in the center. The copper windings are placed on the inner surface of the stator leaving a space between the copper windings and the cylinder motor shaft. These windings create inductance and resistance, this transference is dependant on the frequency of current flowing into the motor shaft. These windings and rotor when energized turn a flywheel that is attached to the rotor shaft. The blade arms are attached to the flywheel allowing ultra smooth and powerful operation. The first Stator motor came about in the late 1970's invented by the Emerson Fan Company. Some other ceiling fan manufacturers that make the flywheel type motor today are Casablanca Fan Company, and Fanimation ceiling fans. The Stator flywheel motors are the most efficient and reliable motors made today.


EMERSON FAN COMPANY K55XL - Flywheel Stack motor	FANIMATION FAN COMPANY FDK2100 - Flywheel Stack Motor	CASABLANCA FAN COMPANY XLP2000 - Flywheel Stack Motor

Oil-Bath Motor System - This is the earliest ceiling fan motor technology used. The Oil-Bath system consists of a very heavy duty copper wound motor with bearings that must be oiled. These bearings must be lubricated usually once every other month to ensure smooth operation. This motor is encased in a heavy cast iron housing. This technology began in the late 1800s and continues today in only one ceiling fan, the Classic Original made by the Hunter Fan Company. Some of these motors have lasted up to 80 years. The Oil-Bath motors are long lasting although they are very heavy in weight.

Hunter Motor
Hunter Fan Company
Oil-Bath Motor System

Direct Drive Ceiling Fan Motors - This motor is the most common ceiling fan motor used today allowing the load (fan blades meeting air resistance) to be attached directly to the metal stamped casing. These motors contain bearings and magnetic elements in a compact casing. The torque power is directly related to the magnetic resistance of the magnet rotor and its windings. The larger the magnetic rotor and more copper windings make for greater resistance force producing higher torque. These parts are usually measured in millimeters to define the size of the motor directly related to the torque power.

153mm direct drive motor is used in 42" ceiling fans and contractor or builder ceiling fans.
172mm direct drive motor is used in most 52" ceiling fans of a medium quality.
188mm direct drive motor is used in 52" to 60" ceiling fans of a higher quality.
200mm & 212mm direct drive motor are used in high performance ceiling fans producing high air volume.


153mm Motor	172mm Motor	188mm Motor	200mm Motor

Design, Engineering & Manufacturing

Most ceiling fan concepts begin with pencil and paper, even in the high tech computer world we live in. Some manufacturers employ more skillful artisans than others. These rough concepts evolve into highly detailed ceiling fan drawings ready for computer streamlining. Computer CAD type software programs allow for exact dimensions, textures, shapes and colors that assist designers with consistent future production. As well some manufacturers use higher quality software programs. Prototypes are then created, and the more challenging the conditions during testing, painstakingly results in a higher quality ceiling fan product. Materials of varying qualities are used by a variety of ceiling fan manufacturers.


Design	Engineering

Blade Quality

Blade quality is an important factor in ceiling fan performance and design. Most ceiling fan blades use five to eight layer pressed hardwoods and veneers. The highest quality fan blades use furniture grade wood veneer on the exterior plys and cross laminated hardwood layers on the interior. Poor blade quality results in bloating and moisture retention eventually eliminating the performance of the fan blade.

Finish Blades

Finish Quality

The higher the finish quality results in a longer lasting finish free of rust and tarnish. Higher quality finishes start with a raw material plating process consisting in many meticulous steps. Most high end ceiling fans start with a polished casting step, a nickel, bronze or copper bath, and finally a clear coat. Some of these finishes are hand applied by skilled artisans. These steps are necessary for the longevity of all the metallic materials involved in the ceiling fan product.

Control Technology

The ceiling fan control technology is an important part of the rating decision when thinking about ceiling fan operating convenience. There are three main types of controls the pull chain, wall control and remote control. The higher end wall controls and remotes offer six fan speeds in forward and reverse from the control. They also offer independent uplight and downlight dimming with a number of advanced security options. This advanced comfort usually comes with a higher cost.

Manufacturer Support of Their Product

Manufacturer support is important in a human world. All products made today are subject to a very small percentage of human error. When this human error occurs it is imperative to have a supporting manufacture on your side. Customer service and consumer service centers are big part of the lighting and ceiling fan industry. Although, there are only a few manufacturers the have these services available to the customer and consumer.

Casablanca Team

Casablanca Customer Support Team

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