What should you pay attention to when purchasing cooling fans?

Electromechanical Fans, Thermal Management
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Electronics Can Suffer from “Heatstroke”! Whether it’s an industrial control cabinet or a gaming PC, the choice of cooling fans directly impacts the stability and lifespan of your equipment. As a technical consultant with over 1,000 companies served at Cooltron Group, today I’ll share the expert tips for choosing the right fan.

  1. Airflow Comes First: CFM Determines Cooling Power When shopping for fans, the first thing to consider is airflow (CFM). For industrial equipment, it’s recommended to choose a model with a minimum of 80 CFM. For example, the Cooltron Fans FD8038-85 series offers a powerful airflow range of 99.1–136.5 CFM. For home PCs, a slightly lower standard is acceptable, but it should not be less than 40 CFM.
  2. Noise Control: The Comfort Philosophy of dB Levels Lab tests show that for a 60mm fan, every 1000 RPM increase adds about 8 dB of noise. We recommend using hydraulic bearing products, like the NMB Technologies 3110KL-04W-B30, which produces only 21 dB at 2000 RPM—equivalent to the sound of turning pages in a library.
  3. Size Compatibility: Accurate Millimeter Measurements Common fan sizes like 40/60/80/120mm are designed for different applications. For server clusters, an 80mm array is the best choice, while embedded devices typically require 40mm slim fans. Be sure to leave a 3-5mm clearance when measuring the installation area.
  4. Special Environments: Don’t Overlook IP Ratings Outdoor equipment should have an IP rating of at least IP55. In chemical environments, metal fan blades are recommended. Digikey’s unique parameter filter can quickly help you find models with IP68 waterproof and dustproof ratings.
  5. Smart Upgrades: PWM Temperature Control is the New Trend 4-pin PWM fans can automatically adjust speed based on temperature, improving energy efficiency by up to 40%. In testing, the Cooltron Fan FD1238B48W7-84-4JY consumed only 1.8W in smart mode.

When purchasing, we recommend using DigiKey’s cross-reference tool to compare specs from top brands. Need a special configuration? Contact Cooltron technical team at sales.usa@cooltron.com for customized solutions. Let a professional cooling solution provide your equipment with the “shade” it needs!