The 100mm centrifugal fan, characterized by its compact size with a key dimension (typically referring to impeller diameter or fan outer diameter) of 100 millimeters, is a small but powerful ventilation component that plays a vital role in scenarios requiring localized, efficient air movement within limited spaces. Unlike large industrial centrifugal fans designed for large-area ventilation, the 100mm model is tailored for applications such as electronic equipment cooling, small-scale air purification, medical devices, and household appliances, where space constraints are strict and precise air flow control is needed. Its unique combination of small volume, light weight, and reliable performance makes it an indispensable part of modern miniaturized systems, bridging the gap between basic ventilation needs and the demand for compact, energy-efficient components.

To fully grasp the characteristics and applications of the 100mm centrifugal fan, it is necessary to first understand its structural features, which are optimized for miniaturization while ensuring functional integrity. Similar to larger centrifugal fans, the 100mm version consists of core components including the impeller, motor, housing, air inlet, and air outlet, but each part is designed with strict size control and high-precision manufacturing. The housing, usually made of high-strength engineering plastics (such as ABS, PBT, or PC) or lightweight aluminum alloy, is injection-molded or die-cast to achieve a compact structure with good dimensional accuracy. The plastic housing offers advantages such as corrosion resistance, low weight, and low cost, making it suitable for general-purpose applications; the aluminum alloy housing, on the other hand, has better heat dissipation performance, which is ideal for high-temperature working environments such as electronic equipment cooling.

The impeller of the 100mm centrifugal fan is the core component determining its air flow and pressure performance, and its design and manufacturing require extremely high precision due to the small size. The impeller diameter is generally around 100mm, and it is composed of a hub, several blades, and a cover plate. The hub is usually integrated with the motor rotor to reduce the overall volume and improve transmission efficiency. The blades, with a small size (generally a few millimeters to a dozen millimeters in length), are designed with special aerodynamic profiles to maximize centrifugal force generation within limited rotational space. Common blade types for 100mm fans include backward-curved blades and forward-curved blades. Backward-curved blades are preferred for most high-efficiency applications due to their lower noise, higher static pressure, and better energy efficiency; forward-curved blades, although with slightly lower efficiency, can provide larger air volume at low speeds, making them suitable for scenarios with low resistance requirements. The cover plate is usually a thin-walled structure, and its shape is designed to match the air inlet to ensure smooth air flow and reduce turbulence loss.

The motor of the 100mm centrifugal fan is typically a micro DC motor or a small AC motor, with power ranging from a few watts to tens of watts. DC motors, especially brushless DC (BLDC) motors, are widely used in 100mm fans due to their advantages of small size, high efficiency, low noise, long service life, and easy speed regulation. BLDC motors eliminate the mechanical wear caused by brushes, reducing maintenance needs and improving reliability, which is crucial for applications such as medical devices and precision electronic equipment that require long-term stable operation. AC motors, on the other hand, are suitable for scenarios where AC power is readily available and speed regulation is not a primary requirement, such as some household appliances and small ventilation systems. The motor is usually directly integrated with the impeller, forming a compact fan unit, and the motor housing is designed with heat dissipation fins or ventilation holes to ensure effective heat dissipation and prevent overheating.

The air inlet and air outlet of the 100mm centrifugal fan are designed to be compact and efficient. The air inlet is usually located on the end face of the fan, and is equipped with a bell-mouth or a grid structure. The bell-mouth design helps to guide air smoothly into the impeller, reducing inlet resistance and improving air flow efficiency; the grid structure can prevent foreign objects from entering the fan, protecting the impeller and motor from damage. The air outlet is generally located on the side of the fan housing, and its size and shape are optimized to match the air flow characteristics of the centrifugal fan, ensuring that the air can be discharged stably with minimal pressure loss. Some 100mm fans also feature adjustable air outlets or detachable duct connectors, allowing for flexible installation and adaptation to different application scenarios.

The working principle of the 100mm centrifugal fan is consistent with that of larger centrifugal fans, relying on centrifugal force to achieve air movement and pressure increase. When the motor is energized, it drives the impeller to rotate at high speed (rotational speeds of 1000-10000 rpm are common for 100mm fans, depending on the motor type and application requirements). The air entering the impeller from the air inlet is caught by the rotating blades and subjected to centrifugal force, which accelerates the air and throws it outward to the edge of the impeller. As the air moves from the center to the edge of the impeller, its kinetic energy and pressure increase significantly. The accelerated air then enters the volute-shaped housing surrounding the impeller. The volute's cross-sectional area gradually expands along the air flow path, converting part of the air's kinetic energy into static pressure, further enhancing the air pressure. Finally, the high-pressure air is discharged through the air outlet and directed to the target area (such as the surface of a heat-generating electronic component or the interior of a small space) to achieve cooling, ventilation, or air circulation.

The performance parameters of the 100mm centrifugal fan are tailored to its small-size application scenarios, with key parameters including air volume, static pressure, speed, power consumption, noise, and operating temperature range. Air volume for 100mm fans typically ranges from 10 to 100 cubic meters per hour (m³/h), which is sufficient for cooling small electronic devices or ventilating confined spaces. Static pressure, usually between 50 and 500 Pascals (Pa), is designed to overcome the resistance of small ducts, heat sinks, or filters commonly found in its application environments. Speed, as mentioned earlier, varies widely, with higher speeds generally corresponding to larger air volume and higher pressure, but also higher noise and power consumption. Power consumption is relatively low, usually between 3W and 30W, making the 100mm fan energy-efficient for long-term operation. Noise is a critical parameter for many applications (such as medical devices and office equipment), and advanced 100mm fans can achieve noise levels below 30 decibels (dB) at rated speed, thanks to optimized impeller design, low-vibration motors, and sound-absorbing housing materials. The operating temperature range typically spans from -20°C to 70°C, allowing the fan to work normally in both low-temperature and moderately high-temperature environments.

The application fields of the 100mm centrifugal fan are diverse, covering electronics, medical care, household appliances, and industrial automation, among others. In the electronics industry, it is widely used for cooling heat-generating components such as central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), power supplies, and server modules. For example, in high-performance laptops and desktop computers, 100mm centrifugal fans are often used in combination with heat sinks to quickly dissipate the heat generated by the CPU and GPU, ensuring the stable operation of the computer. In medical devices, such as blood analyzers, ultrasound machines, and medical lasers, the 100mm fan provides precise ventilation and cooling, maintaining the stable operating temperature of the equipment and ensuring the accuracy of test results. In household appliances, it is used in refrigerators (for cooling the compressor), air conditioners (for indoor unit ventilation), microwave ovens (for removing moisture and heat), and range hoods (for local exhaust), enhancing the performance and service life of the appliances. In industrial automation, it is used for cooling sensors, controllers, and frequency converters in small automated equipment, ensuring the reliable operation of the equipment in industrial environments.

When selecting a 100mm centrifugal fan, several key factors need to be considered to ensure it matches the specific application requirements. First, the required air volume and static pressure must be clearly defined. For example, cooling a high-power CPU requires a fan with sufficient air volume to quickly take away heat, while ventilating a small space with a long duct requires a fan with higher static pressure to overcome duct resistance. Second, the power supply type and voltage should be compatible with the application system. DC fans are available in common voltages such as 5V, 12V, and 24V, which are suitable for electronic equipment powered by DC power supplies, while AC fans usually use 110V or 220V AC power, which is suitable for household appliances and industrial equipment. Third, the noise level is crucial for applications in quiet environments (such as offices and hospitals), so low-noise models with optimized impeller and motor designs should be selected. Fourth, the operating environment conditions, such as temperature, humidity, and dust concentration, should be considered. For high-temperature environments, fans with high-temperature resistant motors and materials should be chosen; for dusty environments, fans with dust-proof structures or filters should be selected. Finally, factors such as the fan's service life, reliability, and brand reputation should also be taken into account, as these directly affect the maintenance cost and operational stability of the equipment it is installed in.

The maintenance and care of 100mm centrifugal fans are relatively simple, but regular maintenance is still necessary to ensure their long-term stable operation. Daily maintenance mainly includes cleaning, inspection, and performance monitoring. First, the fan and its surrounding area should be kept clean. Dust and dirt accumulated on the impeller, air inlet, and air outlet can reduce air volume, increase noise, and cause impeller imbalance, leading to vibration and reduced service life. Therefore, the fan should be cleaned regularly using a soft brush or compressed air to remove dust from the surface and internal components. For fans equipped with filters, the filters should be cleaned or replaced according to the degree of pollution. Second, the operating status of the fan should be inspected regularly, including checking for abnormal noise, vibration, and temperature rise. Abnormal noise may be caused by impeller imbalance, bearing wear, or loose components; abnormal vibration may lead to damage to the fan and the equipment it is installed in; excessive temperature rise may indicate motor overload or poor heat dissipation. If any of these abnormalities are found, the fan should be shut down immediately for inspection and repair. Third, the electrical connections of the fan should be checked regularly to ensure that the wires are not loose or damaged, and that the insulation performance is good, to prevent short circuits and electrical failures.

With the trend of miniaturization, intelligence, and energy conservation in electronic equipment and household appliances, the 100mm centrifugal fan is also undergoing continuous technological innovation and performance upgrading. In terms of energy efficiency, the development of high-efficiency BLDC motors and optimized impeller aerodynamic designs has significantly improved the fan's energy efficiency ratio (EER), reducing power consumption while maintaining or increasing air volume and pressure. For example, some advanced 100mm BLDC fans can achieve an efficiency of over 70%, which is much higher than that of traditional brushed DC fans. In terms of intelligence, the integration of speed control functions (such as PWM speed regulation and voltage regulation) allows the fan to adjust its speed according to the actual cooling or ventilation needs, achieving energy conservation and noise reduction. For example, in computer cooling systems, the fan speed can be automatically adjusted based on the CPU temperature, running at a low speed when the CPU is idle (reducing noise) and increasing the speed when the CPU is under high load (ensuring sufficient cooling). In terms of material innovation, the use of new lightweight, high-strength materials (such as carbon fiber composites) has reduced the fan's weight and improved its structural strength and heat resistance. In terms of reliability, the development of long-life bearings (such as ceramic bearings) has extended the fan's service life to over 100,000 hours, meeting the requirements of long-term continuous operation in medical devices and industrial equipment.

In the future, the 100mm centrifugal fan will continue to develop in the direction of higher efficiency, lower noise, more intelligence, and smaller size. With the rapid development of emerging technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT), the demand for miniaturized, high-performance ventilation components will continue to grow, driving the innovation of 100mm centrifugal fans. For example, in the field of wearable electronic devices, smaller and more efficient 100mm (or even smaller) fans may be developed to provide localized cooling; in the field of intelligent home appliances, fans with IoT functions may be developed, enabling remote control and intelligent adjustment through mobile phones or smart home systems. At the same time, with the increasing emphasis on environmental protection and energy conservation, the energy efficiency standards for small centrifugal fans will become more stringent, promoting the development of more energy-efficient products. In conclusion, the 100mm centrifugal fan, as a key component in miniaturized ventilation systems, will continue to play an important role in various industries, and its technological development will contribute to the advancement of related fields such as electronics, medical care, and household appliances.