With businesses opening back up, cleanliness doesn’t only apply to the health of employees, it also applies to the health and performance of your Patterson high velocity fans! While built to last in the most rugged conditions, cleaning your fans regularly can add years to their life, cut down on replacement costs, and even save you money on energy consumption. Here’s why:

Over time, dirt will begin to build up on two major areas: the guard behind the motor and the fan blade itself. If left untreated, this can lead to a number of issues. First, a fan guard caked with dirt will not allow proper airflow over the motor, causing it to heat up as well as increase its amp draw. Higher amp draws mean greater energy consumption, which in turn leads to higher electric bills… And no sane person wants that.

Dirt on the fan blade can be equally as troubling. Since the motor and blade are designed to function as one unit, any sort of buildup can cause an imbalance in the blade’s rotation. This can place constant stress on the rotor (due to fan blade “wobble”), and in some cases cause a fatigue crack on a blade paddle.

So, as we prepare for another hot summer, be sure to take a moment to clean your Patterson high velocity fans. Your maintenance budget will thank you!
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Steps to create a clean, healthy, and productive fan:

• Remove fan guard.
• Clean the fan of all dust, dirt, and grease.
• Replace and enjoy!

Check the calendar.  Guess what?  It’s June.  What does that mean?  It’s going to get hot very soon (if it hasn’t already).  What else does it mean?  You’re going to want fans for your facility – lots of them – quickly.  Not only do you need them fast, you need them mounted and installed fast, too.  Well, we here at Strait Talk (and, yes, Patterson too) also have these goals, and we want to help you avoid any “hiccups” in the process.  So, whether it’s placing an order or tightening the last bolt, here are some tips to “breeze” through your Patterson experience!

• What is your application?  Are you trying to move air down aisles, pick modules, mezzanines, or in trailers?  Then take a look at Patterson’s line of high velocity fans or the new db.  Open areas?  Think about the High-5 HVLS ceiling fan.  Small area cooling?  Patterson’s Fabric Air Ducts, Drum Fans, Cage Fans, and Evaporative Spot Coolers will do the job.

• Know your electrical source.  Is it single phase or three phase power?  277 Volt?  Ordering the right motor type will save time, money, and the hassle of returns/reshipments.
• Will your desired fan fit in the designated area?  If you’re not sure, take some measurements and give your Patterson sales rep a call to discuss.  That’s what they’re here for!
• So your fans have arrived….great!  Now what?  Well, as a wise man (my father) once said, “When all else fails, read the instructions.”  Take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with any installation instructions that came with your fan or fan mount.  If you ordered a High-5, pay special attention to the section on wiring the fan’s variable frequency drive (VFD).  Doing this may help answer some questions, and/or prevent any confusion for you (or your installer) during the setup process. 
• IMPORTANT!  All Patterson fans, regardless of type, come with a wiring schematic (usually printed on the nameplate of the motor).  Be sure to wire your fans exactly as shown.  In the case of a dual voltage motor, take care to select the correct wiring configuration based on your voltage level (usually 208-230 V or 460 V 3-phase service).  Have electrical questions?  Call before you connect – improper wiring can damage motors/VFDs and affect warranty coverage!
• ALSO IMPORTANT!  ALWAYS install all safe guards that come with your fan and/or mount.  They are designed to protect you, your personnel, and your facility in the unlikely event of a failure. 

So there you have it – some simple tips to make your fan buying experience smooth as silk from start to finish.  And as always, Patterson sales reps are standing by ready to dispense timely fan advice and provide free quotes for all your fan needs. 
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Until next time, let’s keep ‘em cool out there!

What comes to mind when you think of the word cage?  Perhaps a place to keep your parakeet, or “Gone in Sixty Seconds” (as in Nicholas Cage – get it?!).  But “cage” also has meaning when referring to a type of industrial fan.  So what exactly is a “cage fan,” and when is the right time to use it?  Please – read on, dear friend!
 
A cage fan is really just a larger, stationary version of the oscillating fan you may have in your home or office.  Often they are mounted to a simple pedestal, but in some cases can even mount to a pole, column, or other building structure.  Most cage fans are considered “budget fans,” since they are usually much cheaper than their high velocity (HV) counterparts.  However, while they may not cover as much area as an HV fan, cage fans are undoubtedly useful in certain situations. 
 
Individual workstations are an ideal place for a cage fan, as they generally do not require the power and coverage of an HV fan.  Multiple speed settings allow the user to adjust the air movement to their preference, a feature not typically found on an HV fan.  Also, cage fans are great for areas that have noise level requirements, but still need air movement.  Their lower decibel readings provide quieter, individualized relief during the cooling season.
 
Not sure which fan is right for you?  No problem!  Patterson’s friendly, knowledgeable sales staff is ready and eager to help you with all your air movement/people cooling needs!  Give them a call today!