Whether they’re used on desks, in home offices or simply as a way to cool down on a hot day, electric fans are a vital part of our modern life. These simple devices are cheap to run (around 1p per hour in the UK) and help make us feel cool, dry and productive.
They can be plugged into a mains socket or charged via USB. They can be a little heavy and bulky depending on their size, but many have an integrated carry handle for easy transport around the house or office.
Most electric fans use either DC or AC electric motors to drive a series of blades to move air across a room or home. This makes them one of the most widely used electrical gadgets of all time. Electric fans are also a necessary building block of more advanced technology such as computers, lasers, petrol and electric cars, the space station and more.
In fact, although public health guidance often warns people to avoid using fans during heatwaves, research shows they can prevent heat-related elevations in heart rate and core body temperature. However, it is important to note that fans do not cool the air and should be avoided when ambient air temperatures are above skin temperature (Kovats 2006; WHO 2009).
During operation, an electric fan will generate an electrical current which runs through its wires. If it is not properly insulated and protected, or the earth wire is not connected, an electric fan can be dangerous as it could cause shocks. electric fans