Fan Drives 273

sheave groove. A matched set of belts is a set of belts whose exact

lengths and tensions are measured and matched by the belt sup-
plier in order for each belt to carry its proportionate share of the
drive load.

FAN DRIVE INFORMATION

Now that we have an understanding of some of the impor-

tant drive component terms, let’s go back and continue to get
information from the sheaves and belts. After you have the belt
guard off, check the outside of the sheave for a stamped part
number. The part number indicates the sheave size. For example,
on the motor sheave, you might find 3MVP60B74P. Looking in the
manufacturer’s catalog (Browning, in this example) you’d find
that the numbers and letters indicate that the motor sheave has 3
fixed grooves and can have either a “B” belt with a pitch diameter
range from 6.0 to 7.4 inches or an “A” belt with a pitch diameter

Figure 17-1. Variable pitch motor sheave and fixed pitch fan sheave.
274 HVAC Fundamentals

range from 5.9 to 7.0 inches. The bushing size is P (P2). The bush-
ing bore range table for a P2 bushing indicates that you can pur-
chase a bushing to fit shaft sizes from 3/4 to 1-3/4 inches. “M” is
the companion sheave designation.
On the fan sheave you might find the word Browning and
the numbers and letters 3MVB154R (Tables 17-1 and 17-2). Look-
ing in the Browning catalog you’d find that the numbers and let-
ters indicate that the fan sheave has 3 fixed grooves and can
accommodate either a “B” belt with a pitch diameter of 15.4
inches or an “A” belt with a pitch diameter of 15.0 inches. The
bushing size is R (R1). The bushing bore range table for an R1
bushing indicates that you can purchase a bushing to fit shaft
sizes from 1-1/8 to 3-3/4 inches. “M” is the companion sheave
designation.
If there’s no part number on the sheave, measure the outside
diameter and then refer to the manufacturer’s catalog to find the
corresponding pitch diameter. Most manufacturers list both pitch
diameter and outside diameter in their catalogs. If you can’t get
the pitch diameter from the catalog use a tape measure or ruler to
measure, as close as possible, the approximate pitch diameter.
Next, write down the quantity of belts, the name of the belt
manufacturer and the belt sizes.

CHECKING FAN ROTATION

Check the rotation of motors to ensure that fans are rotating

in the correct direction. Certain centrifugal fans will produce
measurable pressures and some fluid flow, sometimes as much as
50% of design, even when the rotation is incorrect. In axial fans,
if the motor rotation is incorrect, the airflow will reverse direction.
In order to check fan rotation momentarily start and stop the fan
motor to “bump” the fan just enough to determine the direction
of rotation. There may be an arrow on the fan housing or motor
showing correct rotation. However, if there’s no arrow, view
double inlet centrifugal fans from the drive side and single inlet