The service life of FFU is not a fixed value and is influenced by multiple factors. Generally, the reasonable service life of the entire equipment is about 5 to 10 years. However, the lifespan of core components varies, and regular maintenance or replacement is required to ensure the continuous and effective operation of the equipment. The following are the specific influencing factors and the lifespan characteristics of each component:
1. The lifespan differences of core components
Fan: As the power source of FFU, its lifespan mainly depends on the quality of the motor and the frequency of use. High-quality motors (such as imported brands or high-precision DC motors) can have a lifespan of 5 to 8 years under normal operation (8 to 12 hours per day) and stable load conditions. If it operates at full load for a long time (24 hours without interruption) or the voltage is unstable, it may be shortened to 3 to 5 years.
Filters (HEPA/ULPA) : These are consumables with a lifespan much shorter than that of the entire equipment. In environments with high cleanliness levels (such as cleanrooms of Class 10,000 or above), filters generally need to be replaced every 6 to 12 months. If there is a lot of dust in the environment (such as air from outside the workshop directly entering without pretreatment), it may become ineffective due to blockage within 3 to 6 months (manifested as a decrease in air pressure and a reduction in air volume).
The box body and structural components: Made of metal materials (such as aluminum alloy, cold-rolled steel plate), they are corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant. If properly maintained (regular cleaning and anti-rust treatment), their service life can be consistent with that of the equipment as a whole (5-10 years), or even longer.
Control system: The FFU with speed regulation function includes circuit modules, sensors, etc. If the usage environment is dry and free from electromagnetic interference, its lifespan is approximately 5 to 7 years. If it is damp or there are frequent power outages, the malfunction may occur earlier.
2. Key factors affecting overall lifespan
Usage environment
If installed in an environment with a lot of dust, high humidity (such as in food processing workshops) or corrosive gases (such as in some chemical laboratories), it will accelerate the aging of components (such as the rusting of fans and the clogging of filters), and shorten the service life.
Whether the pretreatment system of the clean room (such as primary/intermediate filters) is complete: If the front-end filtration is insufficient, a large amount of impurities will directly enter the FFU, which will significantly reduce the service life of the high-efficiency filters and fans.
Operating load
Ffus that operate at full speed for a long time (with the maximum air volume) have higher fan wear and energy consumption, and their lifespan is 20% to 30% shorter than that of equipment that operates intermittently or at low wind speeds.
Maintenance frequency
Regular cleaning of the fan blades, inspection of circuit connections and replacement of filters can reduce component wear and tear. If the equipment is not maintained for a long time, minor malfunctions (such as filter blockage causing fan overload) may lead to chain damage, significantly shortening the equipment’s lifespan.
3. Suggestions for Extending the lifespan of FFU
Regularly test the pressure difference of the filter (replace it in time when the resistance exceeds 1.5 to 2 times the initial value);
Keep the surface of the fan clean to prevent dust accumulation from affecting heat dissipation.
Avoid frequent starts and stops or voltage fluctuations. If necessary, equip with a voltage stabilizing device.
When the environmental humidity is high, anti-rust treatment should be carried out on the box body (such as spraying anti-corrosion coatings).
1. The lifespan differences of core components
Fan: As the power source of FFU, its lifespan mainly depends on the quality of the motor and the frequency of use. High-quality motors (such as imported brands or high-precision DC motors) can have a lifespan of 5 to 8 years under normal operation (8 to 12 hours per day) and stable load conditions. If it operates at full load for a long time (24 hours without interruption) or the voltage is unstable, it may be shortened to 3 to 5 years.
Filters (HEPA/ULPA) : These are consumables with a lifespan much shorter than that of the entire equipment. In environments with high cleanliness levels (such as cleanrooms of Class 10,000 or above), filters generally need to be replaced every 6 to 12 months. If there is a lot of dust in the environment (such as air from outside the workshop directly entering without pretreatment), it may become ineffective due to blockage within 3 to 6 months (manifested as a decrease in air pressure and a reduction in air volume).
The box body and structural components: Made of metal materials (such as aluminum alloy, cold-rolled steel plate), they are corrosion-resistant and wear-resistant. If properly maintained (regular cleaning and anti-rust treatment), their service life can be consistent with that of the equipment as a whole (5-10 years), or even longer.
Control system: The FFU with speed regulation function includes circuit modules, sensors, etc. If the usage environment is dry and free from electromagnetic interference, its lifespan is approximately 5 to 7 years. If it is damp or there are frequent power outages, the malfunction may occur earlier.
2. Key factors affecting overall lifespan
Usage environment
If installed in an environment with a lot of dust, high humidity (such as in food processing workshops) or corrosive gases (such as in some chemical laboratories), it will accelerate the aging of components (such as the rusting of fans and the clogging of filters), and shorten the service life.
Whether the pretreatment system of the clean room (such as primary/intermediate filters) is complete: If the front-end filtration is insufficient, a large amount of impurities will directly enter the FFU, which will significantly reduce the service life of the high-efficiency filters and fans.
Operating load
Ffus that operate at full speed for a long time (with the maximum air volume) have higher fan wear and energy consumption, and their lifespan is 20% to 30% shorter than that of equipment that operates intermittently or at low wind speeds.
Maintenance frequency
Regular cleaning of the fan blades, inspection of circuit connections and replacement of filters can reduce component wear and tear. If the equipment is not maintained for a long time, minor malfunctions (such as filter blockage causing fan overload) may lead to chain damage, significantly shortening the equipment’s lifespan.
3. Suggestions for Extending the lifespan of FFU
Regularly test the pressure difference of the filter (replace it in time when the resistance exceeds 1.5 to 2 times the initial value);
Keep the surface of the fan clean to prevent dust accumulation from affecting heat dissipation.
Avoid frequent starts and stops or voltage fluctuations. If necessary, equip with a voltage stabilizing device.
When the environmental humidity is high, anti-rust treatment should be carried out on the box body (such as spraying anti-corrosion coatings).
In conclusion, through reasonable use and regular maintenance, FFU can maintain stable performance over a period of 5 to 10 years. However, vulnerable components such as filters need to be replaced in a timely manner according to actual working conditions to ensure the cleaning effect.
