Ventilation units: which model do you need for each installation?

Ventilation boxes are a fundamental element in many industrial, commercial, and hospitality ventilation systems. Their function is simple: to move air in a controlled manner between the different spaces of a facility. However, not all applications require the same type of fan or configuration.

What is the difference between a ventilation box for smoke extraction and one designed for air renewal? When is it advisable to use a box with a belt-driven motor, and when is a direct-drive motor sufficient? What type of ventilation box is needed for an installation with low pressure drop?

The choice will depend primarily on the type of air to be moved, the operating conditions, the required flow rate and pressure, and the characteristics of the installation.

At Morgui, we offer four families of ventilation boxes: UNIC, CUBIC, BASIC, and CD. Each is designed for a different type of application.

The first question we must ask ourselves is what type of air the unit will be moving.

Working with kitchen exhaust systems is not the same as installing a conventional air renewal system. Similarly, a network with a long run and high pressure drop is not the same as a simple installation.

For this reason, the selection of the unit must take into account both the application and the required performance.

The UNIC is a ventilation box specifically designed for smoke extraction systems. It incorporates a single-inlet centrifugal fan, a belt-driven motor, and a fan certified to operate at 400°C for 2 hours, according to EN 12101-3:2002.

This feature clearly distinguishes it from other models in the range and makes it a solution geared towards installations where the fire resistance of the extraction system is a fundamental requirement.

Furthermore, the UNIC has a detachable structure and hinged covers, which facilitates maintenance, cleaning, and component replacement. It is available with a horizontal outlet—with two possible positions—or a vertical outlet, and can also be manufactured with a sandwich-type casing for improved insulation.

When should you use a UNIC ventilation box?

The UNIC is recommended when the installation requires smoke extraction in case of fire and a high-temperature certified fan is needed.

It is also particularly suitable for installations where maintenance must be carried out easily and where a completely detachable box is desirable.

The CUBIC is designed for air renewal and uses a double-inlet centrifugal fan with a belt-driven motor. It is a particularly attractive solution for ventilation systems requiring a robust structure and various configuration options.

One of its main advantages is that the entire structure is demountable, and all covers are accessible. This simplifies maintenance and facilitates access to the fan and its components.

The CUBIC incorporates internal thermoacoustic insulation and is available with horizontal or vertical outlets. Furthermore, it can be configured with different fan configurations depending on the model, including semi-reinforced and reinforced versions.

The BASIC is a ventilation unit with a double-inlet centrifugal fan and belt-driven motor, designed for both intake and supply of clean air. It can be used in commercial premises, industrial kitchens, and other general ventilation systems.

It is the intermediate solution in the range: more complete than the CD and simpler than the CUBIC.

The product's configuration makes it suitable for installations with standard duct runs, low-pressure drops, and without the need for a fully demountable structure.

The BASIC features 10 mm of thermal and acoustic insulation, a fan mounted on a linear frame, and hinged sides secured with screws for easy maintenance. It can also be supplied with a sandwich panel or lacquered finish.

When should you choose a BASIC unit?

The BASIC is a good option when you need to extract or supply clean air and the installation has conventional conditions, without significant pressure drops or special disassembly requirements.

Both units utilize a motor-driven system and are designed to move clean air, but the CUBIC is geared towards installations requiring a more robust construction and a fully demountable unit. The BASIC, on the other hand, is a simpler solution for installations with standard duct runs and minimal pressure drop.

Therefore, the choice between CUBIC and BASIC will depend on the installation's needs, the required performance, and the necessary features.

The CD is the most compact and straightforward model in the range. Unlike the UNIC, CUBIC, and BASIC, it uses a motor directly connected to the fan shaft, eliminating the need for belts and pulleys.

It is designed for the intake or exhaust of clean air and is suitable for simple applications with more limited pressure and flow rates.

It comes standard with a single-phase, IP54-rated enclosed motor, although three-phase, three-speed, and external rotor configurations are also available. It also allows for various speed control systems.

When should you choose a CD unit?

The CD is suitable when seeking a solution for simple ventilation installations with moderate flow and pressure requirements, where a direct-drive motor configuration is sufficient.

This is one of the most common questions when selecting a ventilation unit.

In a direct-drive unit, the motor is directly connected to the fan shaft. This is the system used in the CD unit. In units with belt-driven motors, such as CUBIC and BASIC, the movement is transmitted via belts and pulleys. The UNIC also uses this system.

The choice should not be based solely on the type of drive, but should also take into account the required performance, airflow, pressure, operating conditions, and project specifications.

For fume extraction applications, the choice must be clearly distinguished from conventional clean air ventilation applications.

The UNIC is specifically designed for this use and incorporates a fan certified to operate at 400°C for 2 hours, according to EN 12101-3:2002. Therefore, it is the model in the range intended for fume extraction applications where this performance is required.

The CUBIC, BASIC, and CD are designed for extraction, supply, or fresh air renewal, and should therefore not be considered equivalent to the UNIC for a fume control system.

To correctly select a ventilation unit, it's advisable to analyze at least four aspects:

Air type: Is it moving clean air, fresh air, or smoke?

Required airflow: How much air does the fan need to move?

Available pressure: What are the pressure losses in the ductwork, filters, grilles, and other components?

Installation characteristics: Is a removable unit needed? Is insulation required? Is a direct-drive motor or a transmission system preferable? Should the outlet be horizontal or vertical?

Based on this information, you can select the most suitable model and configuration.

Morgui's range of ventilation boxes covers everything from simple air supply or exhaust installations to specialized fume extraction applications.

The CD is designed for simple applications with more limited flow rates and pressures. The BASIC expands the possibilities for conventional clean air installations. The CUBIC offers a more robust and fully demountable construction. And when the application requires fume extraction with high-temperature resistance, the UNIC is the solution, certified to withstand 400°C for 2 hours.

The correct selection depends not only on the size of the box: it must meet the actual operating conditions of the installation.

Need help choosing a ventilation box?

Every ventilation project has different needs. Correctly determining the flow rate, pressure, air type, and duct characteristics allows you to select the most suitable equipment and avoid oversizing or under-installation.

At Morgui, we can help you choose the right ventilation box for your installation and define the necessary configuration according to the project's characteristics.