4" to 3" reducer in bath exhaust fan - impact?

raz · 02-28-2009, 11:56 AM

I know that it is not recommended but what would be the real impacts of using a 4" to 3" reducer in a bathroom exhaust fan duct? The exhaust duct run is straight horizontal, approx 16' in length.

I have the opportunity to greatly reduce installation complexity if I use the existing 3" exhaust ducting and connect it to new 4" exhaust fan via the reducer. I just have to decide if I can live with the impacts. Any/all inputs appreciated.

yuri · 02-28-2009, 02:49 PM

Reduced capacity of the fan for one. After chili night that can be a big problem.

LOL. It may also overload the fan and if it overheats then there is an insurance/fire risk problem/situation.

Yoyizit · 03-01-2009, 12:18 PM

http://www.e-star.com/publications/a...ns_05.2005.pdf

I knew it was here somewhere. . .
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/du...oss-d_444.html
Your spreadsheet can handle the fractional exponents in the formula.

At 50 CFM, 3" pipe has 0.74 resistance and 4" pipe has 0.18, but the CFM will drop with 3" pipe. At 25 CFM the resistance of 3" pipe is 0.2.

BTW, I think those kinds of motors can stand an overload indefinitely.
"Impedance Protection is when the windings of the motors are designed so that they limit the amount of heat generated even, in abnormal situations such as a locked-rotor condition. Impedance Protected motors are normally small motors such as the shaded pole type shown. Impedance Protected Motors are in category XEIT2."

raz · 03-01-2009, 04:00 PM

Excellent comments folks - thanx so much. And thanx for the referral to the Engineering Toolbox - another cool site.

yuri · 03-01-2009, 04:28 PM

Make sure you keep it clean. We had a private church school burn half way to the ground because of an overheated bathroom fan and lint. Firewall saved the rest of the complex. Why not buy a fan with a 3" exhaust?

02-28-2009, 11:56 AM	#1
raz Newbie Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 7	4" to 3" reducer in bath exhaust fan - impact? I know that it is not recommended but what would be the real impacts of using a 4" to 3" reducer in a bathroom exhaust fan duct? The exhaust duct run is straight horizontal, approx 16' in length. I have the opportunity to greatly reduce installation complexity if I use the existing 3" exhaust ducting and connect it to new 4" exhaust fan via the reducer. I just have to decide if I can live with the impacts. Any/all inputs appreciated.

02-28-2009, 02:49 PM	#2
yuri Hvac Pro Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 6,737	4" to 3" reducer in bath exhaust fan - impact? Reduced capacity of the fan for one. After chili night that can be a big problem. LOL. It may also overload the fan and if it overheats then there is an insurance/fire risk problem/situation.

03-01-2009, 12:18 PM	#3
Yoyizit It was a dark and stormy Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NW of D.C. Posts: 5,954	4" to 3" reducer in bath exhaust fan - impact? http://www.e-star.com/publications/a...ns_05.2005.pdf I knew it was here somewhere. . . http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/du...oss-d_444.html Your spreadsheet can handle the fractional exponents in the formula. At 50 CFM, 3" pipe has 0.74 resistance and 4" pipe has 0.18, but the CFM will drop with 3" pipe. At 25 CFM the resistance of 3" pipe is 0.2. BTW, I think those kinds of motors can stand an overload indefinitely. "Impedance Protection is when the windings of the motors are designed so that they limit the amount of heat generated even, in abnormal situations such as a locked-rotor condition. Impedance Protected motors are normally small motors such as the shaded pole type shown. Impedance Protected Motors are in category XEIT2." Last edited by Yoyizit; 03-01-2009 at 02:59 PM.

03-01-2009, 04:00 PM	#4
raz Newbie Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 7	4" to 3" reducer in bath exhaust fan - impact? Excellent comments folks - thanx so much. And thanx for the referral to the Engineering Toolbox - another cool site.

03-01-2009, 04:28 PM	#5
yuri Hvac Pro Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 6,737	4" to 3" reducer in bath exhaust fan - impact? Make sure you keep it clean. We had a private church school burn half way to the ground because of an overheated bathroom fan and lint. Firewall saved the rest of the complex. Why not buy a fan with a 3" exhaust? Last edited by yuri; 03-01-2009 at 04:35 PM.

4" to 3" reducer in bath exhaust fan - impact?