Many industry members will agree that miniaturization is a major trend in electronics. The popularity of small, portable devices over large and clunky ones is truly no surprise; smaller electronics are easier to handle, carry, and store. In the quest to create ever smaller devices, manufacturers have miniaturized everything from consumer electronics to highly precise medical tools.
To make these devices so small, however, they’ve also gone to great lengths to reduce the size of their internal components. Cooling fans are one such example. The fans that go inside miniaturized electronics are astonishingly compact, giving them the distinction of being the smallest fans on the planet.
Pelonis Technologies' Line of Micro Fans
That description seems quite apt when you take a look at some of the micro fans on the market today. The RFA1804 micro fan from Pelonis Technologies, for example, is only 18 x 18 x 4 mm big. To get a better idea of its dimensions, this particular micro fan can be compared to a quarter, which has a diameter of just over 24 mm. Though it may be small, the tiny fan has a proven ability to reduce the temperature of printed circuit boards by several degrees.
Remarkably, our RFA1504 micro fan is even tinier than the RFA1804. Measuring only 15 x 15 x 4 mm, this fan could rest comfortably on the surface of a dime, which has a diameter of less than 18 mm. The 4 mm thickness of the RFA1504 micro fan is smaller than the diameter of a single, 4.8 mm knob on a classic Lego® brick. The fan reaches speeds up to 16,000 rpm, and an airflow range between 0.3 and 0.4 cfm. It also features an IP57 rating for dust and moisture resistance.
Available Increased Speed Ratings in Larger Models
In addition to the tiny examples above, Pelonis Technologies also offers a larger micro fan with a length of 30 mm and width of 8.5 mm. Its longest side is smaller than the length of a traditional paper clip which, in comparison, is approximately 34 mm. While it still falls under the micro fan category, the BRA3008 fan reaches higher speeds than the smaller models, ranging from 4500 to 6200 rpm. It also features a higher airflow of 1.89 to 2.60 cfm. It is ideally used in larger—yet still portable—electronic devices.
In the excitement over newer, slimmer electronic devices on the market today, it’s easy to overlook the innovation behind their internal components. Micro fans keep small electronic devices from overheating, thus extending the operating life of the device and preventing premature failures, all while occupying the tiniest of footprints. They serve as proof that even the smallest innovations can have a large impact on the growth of the industry.
Feel free to browse our full selection of micro fans on our online catalog. If you have questions about our micro fans, or need help selecting the right one for your application, please contact one of the experts at Pelonis Technologies today.
