Disassembly of the fan: features of different types and disassembly instructions

If the bathroom fan is clogged or the floor fan in the room is broken, the first step is to identify the cause of the malfunction. In most cases, the problem lies within the device itself. However, it is important to note that different types of fans have different structural designs, so the disassembly process may vary depending on the specific fan.

Today, let’s delve into the characteristics, common flaws, and the step-by-step process of dismantling exhaust, duct, and floor fans.

Bathroom fan

These devices are typically installed within the exhaust vents. The most common issue with the exhaust mechanism is blown fuses, which are located on the motor inside the fan. In order to fix this, you will need to replace the fuse. To do so, you must access the motor itself, which is located in the middle. The only tool needed for disassembly is a screwdriver.

The disassembly process follows this algorithm:

• Remove the unit from the wall. Taking apart the device is a delicate task, so it will be very difficult to access the motor without removing the fan from the wall. Additionally, there is a risk of causing further damage during the disassembly process.

Bathroom fan is ready for installation

• Detach the protective plate. The front protective part is secured to the mechanism using bolts, making it easy to remove. You just need to locate the appropriate screwdriver.
• Once the face plate is removed, flip the fan over. The protective plate on the back side will need to be forcefully removed as it is usually soldered to the housing. To assemble the mechanism, make sure to have "Moment" type glue on hand.
• Take out the working unit with the blades. This component is not attached to the body in any way as it requires flexibility. Hence, it can be easily removed.
• Flip the device over and take off the motor protective covering. This component has an ellipsoidal shape and is situated right behind the front panel. Unfortunately, it is often soldered to the housing, so it needs to be detached and then glued back when reassembling.



• Disconnect the power cables. Once the protective covering is removed, the motor becomes visible. The power cables extend from it and pass through designated openings before being connected to the back of the housing. These cables should be detached through the same openings.



• Rotate the mechanism once more. On the opposite side, where the functioning paddle component was located, there are typically two bolts visible. These bolts serve to fasten the motor to the outer casing. Simply unscrew them, and you will achieve your objective.

When accessing the motor, located next to the coil, you will discover the fuse. It can be easily extracted and substituted with a fresh one.

Exhaust fan

These fans are installed inside kitchen hoods, and their purpose is to remove contaminated air. The main issue with these units is the buildup of dirt. When the hood is in use, a significant amount of dirt and debris accumulates inside it. This can result in unwanted noises and unpleasant odors during operation. It is recommended to clean the fume hood units, as well as the entire hood, at least once a year.

The challenge in dismantling an extractor hood lies in accessing the fan itself. It is positioned in the center of the hood, making it impossible to remove the fan without disassembling the entire unit.

To disassemble the exhaust fan, you will need screwdrivers that correspond to the bolts securing the main components of the hood.

Therefore, the step-by-step process for disassembling the hood and fan is as follows:

• To deactivate the power supply to the hood, switch it off.
• Take out the hood. The fan can only be accessed from the top, where it is connected to the duct. Disconnect the hood, which may be directly attached to the duct or to a cabinet. Bolts are used to secure the hood, so you will need a screwdriver to detach it.
• Position the hood on a table. Eliminate the grill from the lower section to reveal the fan.

• Take off the protective covering from the mechanism. The cover is attached to the housing with screws and it protects the operating mechanism, blades, and motor. Place the hood in a position where the top side is visible. Look for the screws on the top side that secure the cover to the housing. The screws may be difficult to see due to dirt, so make sure to carefully examine the housing. There should be at least four screws.
• Flip the detached casing over. Behind it, you will find the actual fan. The blade component that is used for operation is connected to the casing with a single bolt along the axis of rotation. Sometimes, it may be attached with a nut.
• Once you have removed the operating component, you will have access to the motor. The motor is attached to the housing in the same manner as the motor of a bathroom fan – with two bolts on the back side. There may be protective rubber caps on the bolts.

Restoring the functioning machinery

Floor fan

Although air conditioners have largely replaced these fans, they are still commonly used in many homes, apartments, or offices, particularly on hot summer days. It is necessary to disassemble such fans because over time, the internal mechanisms become clogged and corroded. This leads to a slower acceleration of the pendulum mechanism and a lack of spinning speed in the blades, resulting in the fan’s decreased performance.

It is recommended to perform preventive cleaning and lubrication of the fan parts annually before the start of the season, as they can become clogged during storage. Disassembly requires a screwdriver.

The step-by-step process of disassembling a floor fan is as follows:

• Remove the protective grille. It is secured with three special levers that can be easily opened by hand.
• To detach the blades, you need to loosen the nut on the spinning axis. Unlike regular nuts that are unscrewed counterclockwise, this particular nut needs to be turned clockwise to remove the blades, and counterclockwise to secure them.
• Next, remove the bearing and inner grill by unscrewing the nut counterclockwise, just like you would with any other nut.
• Lastly, unscrew the machine’s operating mode button. It should come off easily when done by hand.

When it comes to dismantling the fan, there are a few steps involved. First, you’ll need to detach the hood. This protective covering is crucial for safeguarding the main operating mechanisms of the fan. To remove it, simply unscrew the two screws on the front side and the one screw on the back side of the fan. Take care when removing the casing, as there are cables connected to the operating mechanisms just behind it. To avoid any potential damage to the motor or cables, proceed with caution.

• Next, you’ll want to remove the pendulum mechanism. This can be found on the back side of the fan and is secured with the same bolts. Take your time disconnecting it, ensuring that you are mindful of the cables.
• Finally, it’s important to check the rotation of the main working axis. If the axle spins freely, then there is no rust present. However, if it spins with difficulty and makes a creaking noise, lubrication is needed.
• Extract the motor from its housing, which is a metal "box" securely bolted to the rear of the fan. Caution must be exercised when opening the box, as there are four delicate cables inside that must remain undamaged at all costs.

Upon removal of the motor, complete access to the primary operational axle of the device will be obtained. It is advisable to inspect the axle for any signs of rust or deformations. In the event that corrosion is detected, the axle should be carefully cleaned without causing any harm to the threading. If a distorted axle is found to be the source of the fan’s malfunction, it will need to be replaced.

Lubricating the fan’s working axis

Nowadays, the most in-demand form of fan is the duct fan. The rationale behind this is that its functioning principle is akin to that of an air conditioner. Not only does it purify the air, but it also regulates its temperature. In light of all this, the duct fan is the most intricate to fix due to its intricate design. Consequently, only a handful of individuals possess the ability to identify the source of its malfunction.

Speaking of which, there can be numerous factors contributing to its malfunction, ranging from basic contamination to motor overheating. Exclusively applicable to the duct type, a reason could be the necessity to alter the direction of the air channel. In any case, the apparatus necessitates disassembly and thorough examination.

The duct type fan itself is a component of the air filtration system, albeit, the most crucial one. It directs the air into the filtration and purification system.

There are several factors that determine how the fan can be disassembled. The primary factor is how it was originally assembled at the factory. The components may have been connected with bolts, self-tapping screws, or other methods, or they may have been welded together. Moreover, duct fans are typically assembled in a way that is specific to the filtration system they are intended for, so the design and assembly process can vary. Thus, in this article, we will focus on the disassembly of the most common type of duct fan, which is the square fan.

To disassemble the fan, you will need a screwdriver and pliers.

Steps to disassemble a square duct fan:

1. Start by disconnecting the power supply to ensure safety.

2. Next, separate the operating unit from the filtration system. The fan is connected to the system at one of its edges, making it easy to detach. Usually, the piping is bolted rather than welded, allowing for easy separation using a screwdriver.

3. Once the operating unit is disconnected, remove the fan from the wall. Similar to a bathroom appliance, a ducted fan cannot be disassembled while still attached to the wall.

Note: Before removing the fan, ensure that it is completely disconnected from the piping to avoid causing any damage or deformity to the pipes.

Once you disassemble the mechanism, you will find that it is essentially a fan enclosed within a large square box. The purpose of the box is to control the airflow’s direction. Therefore, if you need to change the direction, the box is the main component to dismantle. The unit itself does not require disassembly. However, if you need to check the motor or assess the blade’s condition, you must dismantle the fan.

4. Take off the blades. They are attached to the motor using a nut on the main axis. You can easily unscrew the nut with pliers. In most cases, the electric motor is welded to the box and does not need to be dismantled.

5. Once you remove the blades, you can access the motor. Like other fan types, it is bolted to the back of the motor. When removing and inspecting the motor, be careful not to damage the cables.

Motor cover. Reverse side.

In addition to square, other types of duct devices are also commonly used in ventilation systems. Their design depends on their purpose and location. However, the only difference between these machines is the shape of their "boxes". The fans themselves operate on the same principle and can be disassembled in the same way.

To sum up, it can be said that fans are not a complex system. They are relatively easy to assemble and disassemble, but they require care and attention. If disassembly and maintenance are done systematically, over time the process of disassembly will become familiar and simple, and the mechanism will last much longer.