How and with what to lubricate the fan

Fans are frequently turned on and run for extended periods of time, but they are rarely serviced. This is not due to lack of time or negligence on the part of the owner, but rather because this mechanism has become so deeply ingrained in everyday life that it often goes unnoticed, and few people consider the importance of lubricating a floor fan and how to do it properly. However, like any mechanical device, a fan can break down unexpectedly. The only way to prevent this is through regular maintenance.

• Lubricating a household floor fan
• How to know when it’s time to lubricate a floor fan?
• Lubrication of the rotating parts of an induction motor
• How to lubricate a non-disassembled fan with a sticker
• How to lubricate a non-disassembled fan sealed with plastic
• Lubrication of a ventilation exhaust fan

How to properly lubricate a household floor fan

Most domestic floor fans are structured similarly, with an asynchronous motor and a gearbox responsible for rotating the fan blades. It is essential to apply lubrication to the motor, as this is where all the moving parts are located. It is recommended to lubricate the motor components at least once a year to ensure smooth operation.

How to realize that it is time to lubricate the floor fan?

• Pressing the start button may result in the inability of an unlubricated unit’s screw to move.
• Manual movement is the only option to make the screw move.
• The screw exhibits sluggishness in gaining speed.

All these symptoms suggest that the rotating parts are devoid of oil, and the friction force is impeding the motor’s functioning.

Lubrication of rotating parts of an induction motor

Before applying lubrication, it is essential to detach all attachments and gain access to the motor. The power supply must be disconnected from the motor. By removing the protective cover and disassembling the plastic housing, the motor can be exposed. Prior to lubricating, it is necessary to cleanse the motor of any impurities.

Procedure:

1. Once the plastic casing and protective screen have been removed, the motor can be accessed. Disconnect the motor from the swivel mechanism and wires.
2. During the process, the motor’s shaft may accumulate various debris and dust. It should be cleansed of these impurities, without the need for disassembling it. Spraying it 2-3 times should suffice.

Household floor fan

1. Apply WD-40 to the base of the shaft (where the bearing is located) and gently rotate the shaft with your fingers. This will allow the mixture to penetrate deeper into the bearing and remove any dirt.
2. Once the dirt is cleaned off, wipe the shaft and put a few drops of liquid sewing machine oil on the bearing. I-20 oil is recommended for lubrication.
3. The turning mechanism should also be cleaned of dirt. Apply a thick grease like solidol to the gears, and drip oil on the bushings.
4. After completing all the steps, allow the motor parts to drain off any excess. Finally, dry off the parts and reassemble the fan in reverse order.

The lubrication of a bearing in an induction motor

Lubrication of a non-disassembled fan

Non-dismantling fans are commonly found in computer system units or laptop cases. They are typically attached to video cards and coolers, with thermal paste applied. The term "non-dismantling" refers to the fact that the fan’s stator and primary windings are tightly sealed within a plastic casing, which is screwed onto the cooling radiator. When motors become unlubricated and clogged with dust, they can start to make excessive noise and irritate the computer’s owner.

To lubricate a non-dismantling motor, you need to access the bearing. In some models, the bearing may be covered by a sticker, while in others it may be sealed with plastic.

How to lubricate a non-disassembled fan with a sticker

1. Inject some machine oil using a syringe equipped with a thin needle.
2. Delicately strip away the adhesive label that conceals the bearing.
3. Administer 5-6 droplets of oil into the revealed bearing. In case the bearing is safeguarded by a rubber seal, it is not obligatory to take it off – instead, you can puncture it with a needle and introduce the oil.
4. Using a small drill bit with a centering tip (2-3 mm), create a hole on the bearing side in a cautious manner, avoiding power tools and opting instead for manual drilling.
5. Safely inject a few drops of oil into the newly made hole using a syringe.
6. Substitute the sticker or conceal it by applying cold welding.

Lubrication of the bearing of an intact motor

During the drilling process, there is a possibility of tiny plastic fragments entering the bearing. In case you notice any slight resistance in the shaft, it is necessary to clean the bearing with WD-40 before applying lubricant.

Lubrication of the exhaust fan

Not only does the failure of exhaust motors occur as a result of a lubrication deficiency, but it is also attributable to their strong motors and large impellers. As a result, when an exhaust motor malfunctions, it emits loud and unpleasant sounds, in addition to experiencing overheating and seizing up.

Lubrication of a ventilation exhaust fan

1. You need to take out the exhaust motor from the protective grille.
2. To remove the impeller from the motor, be careful with the fixing screw as it might be stuck due to dried oil. It should be unscrewed gradually instead of being forced abruptly.
3. Apply 2-3 drops of machine oil on the bearings. Avoid pouring excessive amounts of oil as it could lead to damage.
4. After applying the oil, rotate the shaft to ensure better penetration into the metal balls.
5. Reassemble the extractor in the reverse order and it can be switched on immediately.

The extractor fan is in a state of disassembly

Not all lubricants are appropriate for oiling the motor of the kitchen extractor fan. Lubricants like cinder or machine oil may not yield desired results. Using an unsuitable lubricant only temporarily fixes the issue, as after a few days, the motor begins to overheat and make noise again. However, there is a solution in the form of a liquid silicone mixture specifically designed to work in harsh conditions, with a temperature range of -40 to +300 degrees Celsius. Silicone effectively protects the engine parts from the grease that is sucked in with the air. Other than that, the process of lubricating the hood motor is similar to lubricating the ventilation motor. Keep in mind that the hood may require more frequent lubrication and takes longer to disassemble compared to the ventilation grille.

If lubrication does not work

Occasionally, lubrication may prove ineffective, resulting in the impeller continuing to rotate with some difficulty. This indicates that the bearings’ balls have reached the end of their lifespan and are starting to seize up. In such cases, the only solution is to replace the bearings with new ones. Fortunately, this situation is quite rare and typically occurs with either very old models or devices that were not properly preserved and have become unusable due to corrosion.

The ventilation system includes an exhaust fan.