What Is a Blower Assembly?

A blower assembly is used to distribute air in various kinds of equipment. It is commonly seen in cars, furnaces, and home appliances. A typical assembly consists of a motor, blower wheel, and outside casing. Some kinds of blower assemblies are more elaborate and have additional controls, legs, or capacitors.

Beyond the basic parts of a blower assembly, there are several ways the equipment can be varied. Depending on its use, the wheel can be extremely long or wide. There can also be a wide variance in the way the assembly is secured. This includes different sizes of casings, which can range from small, circular models which are not much bigger than the blower wheel to larger rectangular structures.

Depending on the use, the blower assembly can also be made to be affixed to equipment in several different ways. Primary considerations include the amount of space available to secure the assembly and how much support the equipment needs, which typically depends on the size and power of a particular component.

The blower wheel of a blower assembly is commonly referred to as the squirrel cage. It holds the motor, which is typically screwed to the middle of the wheel. This piece is then housed in the outside casing.

Many pieces of a blower assembly are made out of galvanized steel. While this gives the casings some strength, there are still some pieces of the assembly which can be delicate. The fins of the blower wheel are particularly susceptible to damage and typically must be handled with care to avoid bending.

The configuration of a blower assembly depends upon the size and needs of the item being cooled. For small to mid-sized equipment a single assembly will typically suffice. Larger machines may have dual blower assemblies. These are typically mounted near, though not right next to, each other.

Housing for the blower assembly will also vary, depending on the amount of space available. While housings can be made snug and still function adequately, these sizes are not ideal. For optimum performance, it will be made with extra space so the parts have room to function efficiently.

Maintenance of a blower assembly typically consists of cleaning the motor and the blower wheel. Gentle soap and medium water pressure are usually sufficient to clean the wheel without causing damage. While a motor can be vacuumed, it may also suffice to simply brush away any accumulated dust and grime.