The present set-up is designed to study the axial fan characteristics. The set-up consists of a variable speed DC motor, coupled to an axial fan, in a housing. The motor rotates the fan inside the housing, and due to force, exerted by the blades of the fan, partial pressure is developed at the inlet and outlet of the housing. A speed control unit facilitates user, to have experimentations on different speeds, to enhance the study. RPM of the impeller is measured with the help of electronic proximity sensor. The air flows through a round duct pipe where instrumentation has been done to measure the pressure head, velocity and flow. A pitot tube with differential pressure transmitter is provided to observe and find out the static and dynamic head of air, flowing through the duct. A control valve is also provided to regulate the flow of air. The set-up complete in all respect, to understand the performance and efficiency of the axial fan. The present set-up has a facility to interface the system with computer which enables to log the experimental data using computer. The educational software and data-logging package has been developed for unit. The software environment base is of Lab View of NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS, USA. This software is compatible to interfacing unit designed by Engineers. This software package provides a comprehensive educational software environment within which the investigations can be performed. This software is capable to tabulate the sample readings according to the requirement of experiment under study and results obtained can be compared. The real time data acquisition can be done by interfacing the set-up with computer using software. Software allows the user to have control on data logging, printing the stored data, preparing spread sheets in Excel etc.

Experimentation/Learning Objectives

••To find out the discharge, head and efficiency of the Axial Fan. ••To plot the graph Efficiency Vs Discharge. ••To plot the graph Discharge Vs Head.

Utilities Required

••Electricity supply: Single phase, 220V AC, 50 Hz, 5-15 Amp. combined socket with earth connection. Earth voltage should be less than 5 volts. ••Floor Area: 3 m x 0.75 m. ••Computer System: i-3 processor with DVD Drive, Windows 7/8, MS-Office pre-loaded. One USB slot required in PC for Data Acquisition Card.