Browse our collection of fan arrays and fan sections:
Mainstream is proud to be a leading manufacturer of EC Fan Arrays. Our team is at the forefront of applying new EC motor technologies and fan array configurations to our products.
We understand the needs of all stakeholders during air handling unit replacement and retrofit projects and work to ensure all parties are more than pleased with the end result. Mainstream delivers successful projects and ensures client satisfaction. Whether that means providing a seamless sales process, relieving engineers of maintenance duties, or saving building managers and owners money on energy bills.
Mainstream’s IntelliCUBE Fan Arrays are designed to simplify retrofitting air handling units. The fan cubes are manufactured from extruded aluminum framing and are designed to be stacked in the field. The steel corners are simply bolted together for a simple and secure install. The array ships factory-tested with a power distribution panel for single-point power and control.
Great for:
- Most applications, especially where the array will be 2 or more fans high
Max CFM: 100,000 +
Max Static Pressure: 10”
Max Motor Size: 10 HP
Motor Technology: EC
Options Available: N+1 Redundancy, Premium Controls, Backdraft Dampers, Pre-wired whips
The IntelliCUBE XL design was developed to handle larger fans, greater flows, and higher pressures. Manufactured with a welded, structural steel frame, the IntelliCUBE XL is designed to be stacked 6 or more fans high. The cubes are powder-coated for protection. The cubes are designed to be stacked in the field and simply bolted together at the corners. The array ships factory-tested with a power distribution panel for single-point power and control.
Great for:
- Large, high static pressure applications
- Where larger fans are the most efficient selection
Max CFM: 300,000 +
Max Static Pressure: 14”
Max Motor Size: 20 HP
Motor Technology: PMEC, AC
Options Available: N+1 Redundancy, Premium Controls, Backdraft Dampers, Pre-wired whips, acoustically insulated cubes
Mainstream’s double-width, double-inlet fan array was designed specifically for replacing DWDI housed fans. With a familiar cube design, the cubes are enclosed and secured back-to-back, with an open side to be transitioned to the existing supply duct discharge. The array ships factory-tested with a power distribution panel for single-point power and control.
Great for:
- Applications where open plenum fans will not work. For example, where a housed fan is butted up too close against a coil, and the inlet of a plenum fan would be unacceptably close. The DWDI design keeps the inlets of the fans perpendicular to the airflow.
- Applications where keeping the fan section under negative pressure is important. For example, in an old unit where the cabinet is not in suitable shape to handle positive pressure.
Max CFM: 40,000 CFM
Max Static Pressure: 12”
Max Motor Size: 15 HP
Motor Technology: EC, PMEC, AC
Options Available: N+1 Redundancy, Premium Controls, Backdraft Dampers, Pre-wired whips
Mainstream’s bulkhead design is a great solution for retrofitting smaller air handling units. The array is supplied with galvanized steel panels that bolt together to form the bulkhead, and the fans ship loose to be bolted on to the bulkhead in the field. The array ships factory-tested with a power distribution panel for single-point power and control.
Great for:
- Smaller applications (1 – 3 fans)
- Where access is extremely limited
Max CFM: 100,000 +
Max Static Pressure: 8”
Max Motor Size: 7.5 HP
Motor Technology: EC, PMEC
Options Available: N+1 Redundancy, Premium Controls, Backdraft Dampers, Pre-wired whips
Air Handling Unit Fan Sections
When it comes to the design and manufacture of commercial fan sections, Mainstream is the expert. Mainstream’s flexible and innovative designs are sure to suit any of your needs, whether it’s expedited lead times or unconventional design. We offer the MLR Series and MLRa Series of commercial fan sections units.
Benefits of MLR & MLRa Series:
- Full access for servicing components
- Minimal disruption to existing ductwork and piping, thanks to the ability to match an existing footprint
- Ease of installation; sections can be made small enough to fit through doorways, etc.
- Minimal infiltration, exfiltration and radiant heat conduction mean impressive energy savings
Fan Arrays are a great solution for retrofitting air handling units, replacing fan systems, and improving building performance.
Redundancy
Zero Maintenance
Straightforward Install
Quiet, Smooth Operation
Packaged Solution, Includes Controls
High Efficiency, especially at part load
2-Year Parts & Labor Warranty
Benefits of EC Fans
EC Fans and Redundancy
What happens when an AHU fan fails?
A fan failure in an office building might mean employees and clients aren’t as comfortable as they could be. In critical environments like a hospital, a fan failure could lead to canceled surgeries and medical appointments.
AHUs containing multiple fans are often not designed with redundancy in mind. When one big fan fails, the system can no longer deliver the CFM pressure required.
When it comes to critical environments like hospitals, a fan failure could be life or death.
Mainstream specializes in the design and manufacturing of EC fan arrays to solve the problem of fan failure disruptions. With a Mainstream fan array, a fan failure won’t even be noticeable. In the case of a failure, the system would still be running at the required specifications. The engineers would have plenty of time to swap out the failed fan without disruption.
So what’s the difference between an EC fan array and traditional fan systems? Above all else, redundancy and peace of mind.
Reduced Power Consumption
Air handling systems consume a significant amount of energy when running. In many applications, they are running at all times.
With energy prices increasing, every kWh saved translates to real cost savings. So why not try to reduce your energy costs when replacing an AHU fan system?
Mainstream developed an energy savings calculator that shows your potential savings. An EC fan array system pays for itself in less than 5 years through energy savings alone. In some cases, payback can be in as few as 2 years.
EC and PMEC technologies offer efficiency improvements of 5-10% at full load operation and 15-20+% at partial load operation. With numbers like these, it is easy to see why switching to EC or PMEC technology is a no-brainer.
Ease of Maintenance
How long can you keep your big commercial fan running?
Many of our clients have put this question to the test.
By the time Mainstream arrives, there is often a catastrophic failure resulting in an unacceptable loss of airflow. Wear and tear on parts is the most common cause of failure, followed by an old, malfunctioning system.
Mainstream’s fan arrays make the responsibility of AHU fan maintenance a breeze. Why? Because there is no maintenance.
Our direct drive plenum fans:
-
Have no belts or pulleys to change
-
Generate no belt dust to clean up
-
Don’t need to lubricate their bearings
This all leads to:
-
Reduced maintenance costs
-
More time for maintenance personnel to focus on pressing matters
-
And, most importantly, peace of mind
EC Fan Arrays for Tight Spaces
When an AHU fan fails, the #1 concern is the logistics of getting the old fans out, and how to get the new fan system in fast.
Most mechanical rooms are built around AHUs without consideration for future maintenance. Sometimes, it’s simply because freight elevators are not large enough.
In such cases, repairs can only be attempted on a large fan. If you need a replacement, you’d likely need a crane. Things get complicated when cranes, street closures, and permits get involved…
Luckily, there’s a solution.
Fan arrays solve the problem of space constraints – whether they are powered by AC, EC, or PMEC motors!
An array of ten 15HP fans could replace a 150HP fan and move the same amount of air. Because the array is made of small, modular fan units, they can be easily transported anywhere. From the smallest of elevators to the most narrow doorways. They can also be assembled without the need for hoists and lifts.
