The main difference between a centrifugal fan and what many people call a “normal fan” is the way air moves through the impeller and the pressure the fan can generate. In everyday language, a normal fan usually means a simple axial fan or household fan used for comfort cooling. A centrifugal fan is an engineered industrial device designed to deliver specific airflow and pressure in ducts, process systems and mines.
In a centrifugal fan, air enters the impeller along the shaft (axially) and leaves at a right angle (radially) into a scroll-shaped housing. As the impeller rotates, centrifugal force throws air outward, and the scroll converts velocity into pressure. This design allows centrifugal fans to generate relatively high static pressure compared with their size. They are ideal for systems with significant resistance: long duct runs, filters, scrubbers, heat exchangers, or complex mine airways.
In a typical “normal” fan such as a table fan, pedestal fan or simple axial wall fan, air flows straight through the blades, entering and leaving parallel to the shaft. These fans move a lot of air at relatively low pressure, which is perfect for comfort cooling in open rooms or simple exhaust applications with little resistance. However, they struggle when connected to long ducts or heavy industrial equipment that demands higher pressure.
Construction and duty level are also different. Centrifugal fans used in industry and mining are built with heavier impellers, bearings and housings to handle continuous operation, dust, moisture and higher temperatures. They may be designed for explosion protection, high-temperature gases or corrosive fumes. “Normal” fans for domestic use are much lighter and are not intended for harsh conditions, high pressures or critical safety roles.
Performance control is another difference. Centrifugal fans are often integrated into engineered systems with fan curves, pressure–flow calculations and variable-frequency drives to match exact ventilation requirements. Normal household fans are usually controlled by simple speed switches without any reference to system curves or pressure.
In summary, a centrifugal fan is an industrial or mining fan that uses radial flow to provide higher pressure and more controlled performance in ducted or process systems. A “normal” fan in everyday language is usually a low-pressure axial or household fan designed for comfort airflow in open spaces. They serve different purposes and are not interchangeable in demanding ventilation applications.
