Inlet damper control on a fan is characterized by which of the following?

Inlet damper control on a fan is characterized by requiring less power to drive the fan at reduced loads. When inlet dampers are used, they restrict the airflow entering the fan, enabling the fan to operate at a lower capacity and reducing the power consumption. This is particularly efficient because a fan's power consumption is closely related to the volume of air it moves; reducing the airflow means the fan needs to do less work, resulting in lower energy usage.

This characteristic makes inlet damper control especially advantageous in applications where the load on the fan can vary greatly. By modulating the airflow through the use of dampers, the system can efficiently adjust to changing demands without having to run the fan at full speed continuously, thus optimizing energy use and operational costs.

Understanding this principle is key for maintaining efficient refrigeration and cooling an system as it emphasizes the importance of proper fan control in energy management.