January - February 2004

• We tested 14 brands of 1200 mm ceiling fans. The brands tested within the 220-240 voltage range were Almonard (Popular), Anchor (Cool & Comfort), Ashok (Regular), Asian (Speedee), Cinni (Regular), Crompton (High Speed), Khaitan (Zolta), Orient (New Breeze), Ortem (High-Tech), Remi (Hi-Speed), Shaan (Whisp-air) and Usha (Windsor). We also tested Bajaj (Regal) and Polar (New Beta) in the 220-230 V range.

• We tested the brands against IS:374-1979 with six amend-ments and IS:12155-1987. But the Quality Control Order or manda-tory certification does not cover ceiling fans and regulators. Also, none of the brands was ISI marked nor did they carry the manufacturer’s licence number.

• All the brands conformed to the test for air delivery. But Ashok delivered the least amount of air at 215.16 m3/minute. Ortem gave the maximum at 271.83 m3/ minute, followed by Anchor at 256 m3/minute.

• None of the brands consumed power within the limits set by the IS. Polar consumed the maxi-mum power at 86.24 watts. Bajaj consumed the least at 68.81 watts, followed by Orient at 70.01watts.

• Service value (efficacy) is minimum air delivery divided by the maximum power input which should not be less than 4 as per the IS. The service value ranged from 2.64 of Ashok to 3.35 of both Bajaj and Orient. This means, none of the brands were efficient.

• Almonard and Anchor did not conform to the test for tensile load of the suspension system - the rod and clamp which hold the fan. Almonard’s screw broke, while Anchor’s clamp broke. Crompton provided an additional safety cable to hold the fan in case the clamp breaks.

• Although all the brands conformed to the test for construction, finishing was not good in some. Crompton was the best in construction. Also, its bearing housing had a collar.

• In Anchor and Usha, the cover was not properly finished. Also, the finishing was very poor in case of Almonard, Ashok, Remi and Shaan, with tiny particles of casting inside, where the entire inner surface should have been smooth. This can create friction and the fan may not perform smoothly.

• In Ashok, Asian, Remi and Shaan, stamping was not properly pressed. In the long run, this may give some noise. Rust was observed in Ashok and Shaan.

• Except Shaan and Ashok, all the brands provided adequate insulation with the wires properly fixed. Lack of proper insulation can damage the wires.

• Fans do not have earthing wires which are green. But Polar used a green wire for a non-earthing connection. It may lead to electrical shock when handled.

• None of the brands marked air delivery value. Almonard, Ashok, Bajaj, Orient, Ortem and Shaan did not mark the input wattage consumption. Ashok, Cinni, Remi and Shaan did not specify the voltage range and the size of the fan on the ceiling fan regulator.

• Regulators of Almonard, Ashok, Asian, Bajaj, Cinni and Usha did not conform to the test where the fan speed should reduce by at least 50 per cent of the full speed.

• Cinni and Usha were the highest-priced at Rs 1495. Ashok was the lowest-priced at Rs 625.

• Crompton scored the highest with 86, followed by Orient with 79 and Ortem with 76. Khaitan came next with a score of 71.

• Although Crompton scored the highest, it was Khaitan which became the best buy since its price was far less than that of Crompton’s.

• Electronic regulators consume less power than the electric ones at the lower speeds.

• We tested step-type electronic regulators of Anchor, Galco, MK, North-West, Rider, Roma, Vinay and Wonder. Among the movable types, we tested, Anchor, Harisons and S.S.K.

• Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) shows by how much the power supply waves are distorted. A high distortion leads to faster ageing of the fan as well as equipment at the power company.

• Step type regulators are higher priced, but they come with very low THD. On the other hand, movable type regulators have a very high THD.
  

 

Details of the test report can be had in INSIGHT

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