Ref. : ER/Ceilfan.16/MN-dG

Nine of 14 Ceiling Fan Brands
Pass All Safety Tests

Nine of the total 14 brands of 1200 mm ceiling fans tested recently by the in-house comparative testing laboratory for consumer goods at Consumer Education and Research Society (CERS), Ahmedabad, conformed to the safety parameters. Five did not.

CERS’ bimonthly, INSIGHT - The Consumer Magazine, has published the complete Test Report in its January-February 2004 edition, including details of the parameters and the test findings, the response of some manufacturers of the conforming brands and one of a non-conforming brand, the evaluation, rating, and ranking, misleading claims, the prices, warranty or guarantee periods, etc.

The safety parameters for the ceiling fans tested involved, among others, the suspension system and internal wiring. Besides, the fans were tested also against the parameters of air delivery, input wattage consumption, service value, and marking.

Overall, Crompton (High Speed) scored the highest, 86 out of 100, followed by Orient (New Breeze) and Ortem (High Tech). But our recommendation for the ‘Best Buy’ is based on the overall score as well as the price. Khaitan scored 71 but cost Rs. 768, much less than Crompton’s Rs. 1280. Hence, we recommend Khaitan as the ‘Best Buy’.

Eight of the nine conforming brands were of 220-240 volts. They were, in order of overall scores : Crompton (High Speed) - 86, Orient (New Breeze) - 79, Ortem (High Tech) - 76, Khaitan (Zolta) - 71, Remi (High Speed) - 69, Asian (Speedee) - 55, Cinni (Regular) - 54, and Usha (Windsor) - 49.

In the 220-230 volt category, the brand on the top was Bajaj (Regal), which conformed to all the safety parameters and scored 59.

The five brands, which did not conform to one or more of the safety parameters were, along with their overall scores: Anchor (Cool & Comfort) - 78, Shaan (Whisp-air) - 68, Almonard (Popular) - 51, Ashok (Regular) - 46, and Polar (New Beta) - 66. The first four were of 220-240 volt and the last one of 220-230 volt.

None ISI Marked

All the brands were tested against IS:374-1979 with six amendments and IS:12155-1987. But the Quality Control Order or mandatory certification does not cover ceiling fans and regulators. Also, none of the brands was ISI marked, nor did any of them carry the manufacturer’s licence number.

According to the IS, the fans should deliver a minimum of 200 cubic metres of air per minute. All the brands conformed to this test. However, Ashok delivered the least amount of air at 215.16 m3/minute. Ortem gave the maximum (271.83 m3/ minute), followed by Anchor (256 m3/ minute).

Power Consumption

The power consumed by each fan at full speed should not be more than 50 watts with an allowed tolerance of +10 per cent, provided the service value is a minimum of 4 as per the IS. The service value (efficacy) is minimum air delivery divided by the maximum power input. None of the brands conformed to this parameter and, therefore, none of them was efficient.

All the fans tested consumed power well over the IS limit. Polar consumed the maximum power at 86.24 watts. Bajaj consumed the least at 68.81 watts, followed by Orient at 70.01 watts.

The suspension system, i.e. the rod holding the fan and the clamp on top, should be able to withstand a tensile load of 1,000 kilogram force (kgf). Almonard and Anchor did not conform to this test.

Except Shaan and Ashok, all the brands provided adequate insulation with the wires properly fixed.

We found Crompton the best in construction. The finishing of Bajaj, Cinni, Orient, Ortem, Khaitan and Polar also was good. But in Anchor and Usha, the cover was not properly finished. The finishing was very poor in the case of Almonard, Ashok, Remi and Shaan.

Cinni and Usha were the highest priced at Rs 1495. The least priced brand was Ashok at Rs 625.

Electronic regulators are more energy-efficient and consume less power than electric ones at lower speeds. CERS tested Anchor, Galco, MK, North-West, Rider, Roma, Vinay and Wonder of the step-type electronic regulators. In the movable type, we tested Anchor, Harisons and S.S.K. These regulators were purchased separately to provide consumers information on the technical differences between electric and electronic regulators.

CERS conveyed the test findings to the manufacturers for their views and comments. They received only the results of their own products. Their response has been published in the magazine. Manufacturers of Bajaj, Crompton, Khaitan, Orient, Polar and Usha responded. Ashok and Shaan did not carry the full address. So we could not send them the results. The results sent to Asian and Ortem were returned. Manufacturers of Almonard, Anchor, Cinni and Remi did not respond till the time of INSIGHT’s going to press.

For details, please see INSIGHT - The Consumer Magazine of January-February 2004.

Date : 17/03/2004
Place : Ahmedabad

Pritee Shah
Editor
INSIGHT - The Consumer Magazine

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Opinions, test results and research findings issued through this Press Release cannot be used in any form directly or indirectly for advertising, promotional or commercial purpose.

CONSUMER EDUCATION AND RESEARCH SOCIETY
“Suraksha Sankool”, Thaltej, Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway, Ahmedabad- 380 054 (INDIA)
Phone: 079-27489945-46 Fax: 079-27489947
E-mail: cerc@wilnetonline.net
Web Site: http://www.cercindia.org
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