5 Inch Single Shaft Fan/Blower Motors

5-inch single shaft fan/blower motors are 42-frame open-enclosure electric motors with a single extended shaft, designed to drive squirrel cage blower wheels and fan assemblies in HVAC air handlers, furnaces, unit heaters, fan coil units, and similar equipment where direct-drive blower operation is required. The 5-inch designation refers to the motor's frame diameter, and the single shaft design means the motor has one shaft extension at the drive end, which directly accepts the blower wheel without a separate coupling or belt drive. At SupplyHouse, 5-inch single shaft fan/blower motors are manufactured by Century and run on 115V or 230V single-phase power, covering HP ratings from 1/10 through 1/4 HP, RPM ranges from 1050 through 1625, and speed configurations from 1-speed through 4-speed. Motor types include shaded pole and permanent split capacitor (PSC), with sleeve bearings standard across the category. All motors in this category are 42 frame, 60 Hz, single phase, and built for continuous duty in air-over applications.

KEY SUBCATEGORIES / PRODUCT TYPES

Century BL6414 1-Speed Shaded Pole, 115V, 1050 RPM

The Century BL6414 (SKU BL6414) is a 5" single shaft open fan/blower motor with a shaded pole design, 115V, 1050 RPM, and a multi-HP range of 1/5, 1/8, and 1/10 HP. The BL6414 replaces the discontinued BL6413 and D158. Key specs include CCWLE rotation, resilient ring mounting, 42 frame, open enclosure, automatic overload protection, and amperage of 4A at 1/10 HP, 6.5A at 1/8 HP, and 3A at 1/5 HP. Shaded pole motors in this category use the internal shading coil to create the rotating magnetic field that starts and runs the motor, making them simple and maintenance-free with no external capacitor or start components required. Rotation is determined by viewing the shaft end.

Century BL6519 3-Speed PSC, 115V, 1075 RPM

The Century BL6519 (SKU BL6519) is a 5" 3-speed single shaft open fan/blower motor with a permanent split capacitor (PSC) design, 115V, 1075 RPM, and HP ratings of 1/4, 1/5, and 1/6 HP. Key specs include reversible rotation, extended stud mounting, sleeve bearing, automatic overload protection, 42 frame, open enclosure, 60 Hz single phase, and 4.7 amps. PSC motors in this category run a run capacitor at all times, which improves efficiency and power factor compared to shaded pole motors and allows the motor to develop more torque for its frame size. The 3-speed configuration lets the installer match blower output to system static pressure requirements without changing the motor.

Century 492 1-Speed PSC, 230V, 1550 RPM

The Century 492 (SKU 492) is a 5" 1-speed single shaft open fan/blower motor with a permanent split capacitor design, 230V, 1550 RPM, and 1/8 HP. Key specs include CWSE rotation, round mounting, sleeve bearing, auto protector, continuous air over duty, 42 frame, 60 Hz, 1.1 amps, and a 1/2" diameter flatted shaft. A capacitor is furnished with the 492. The 230V operating voltage makes the 492 the correct specification for fan coil units, unit heaters, or air handlers supplied from 230V circuits where 115V models aren't appropriate. CWSE rotation indicates clockwise rotation when viewing the shaft end.

Century BL6505 3-Speed Shaded Pole, 115V, 1075 RPM

The Century BL6505 (SKU BL6505) is a 5" 3-speed single shaft open fan/blower motor with a shaded pole design, 115V, 1075 RPM, and HP ratings of 1/5, 1/8, and 1/10 HP. Features include open enclosure, automatic overload protection, 42 frame, 60 Hz, and single phase operation. Rotation is determined by viewing the shaft end. The BL6505 covers the same HP and RPM range as the BL6519 but uses shaded pole rather than PSC motor technology, making it suited for applications where simplicity and low cost take priority over the higher efficiency and torque output of a PSC design.

Century B6507 3-Speed Shaded Pole, 230V, 1075 RPM

The Century B6507 (SKU B6507) is a 5" 3-speed single shaft open fan/blower motor with a shaded pole design, 230V, 1075 RPM, and HP ratings of 1/5, 1/6, and 1/10 HP. Key specs include reversible rotation, resilient ring mounting, open enclosure, automatic overload protection, 42 frame, 60 Hz, single phase, and amperage of 0.9A at 1/5 HP, 0.7A at 1/10 HP, and 1.3A at 1/6 HP. The B6507 is the 230V counterpart to the 115V BL6505 and BL6519 models, serving fan coil, unit heater, and HVAC air handler applications where 230V supply and 3-speed blower control are both required.

Century 669 4-Speed PSC, 115V, 1075 RPM

The Century 669 (SKU 669) is a 5" 4-speed single shaft open fan/blower motor with a permanent split capacitor design, 115V, 1075 RPM, and HP ratings of 1/10, 1/15, 1/25, and 1/35 HP. Features include auto protector, continuous air over duty, open construction, PSC motor type, 1/2" diameter flatted shaft, 42 frame, 60 Hz, and sleeve bearing. The 4-speed configuration provides the widest range of blower speed selection in the lineup, useful for applications requiring precise airflow balancing across four distinct operating modes or for multi-zone systems where different static pressure conditions apply at different call sequences.

BUYING GUIDE / HOW TO CHOOSE

Selecting the right 5-inch single shaft fan/blower motor starts with matching the four variables that determine motor compatibility: voltage, RPM, HP, and rotation direction. Getting any one of these wrong means the motor won't serve the application correctly or won't fit the original equipment configuration.

Voltage is the first decision. All 115V models, including the BL6414, BL6519, BL6505, and 669, require a 115V single-phase circuit. The 230V models, including the 492 and B6507, require a 230V circuit. Installing a 115V motor on a 230V supply or vice versa will damage the motor. Confirming the supply voltage from the equipment nameplate or the existing motor's label before ordering is required.

RPM must match the original motor's speed rating to maintain the correct blower wheel performance for the application. The category covers two primary RPM bands: 1050-1075 RPM for lower-speed applications in residential furnaces and fan coil units, and 1550-1625 RPM for higher-speed applications where greater airflow is required. Running a blower wheel at a significantly different RPM than it was designed for can result in inadequate airflow, excessive noise, or motor overload.

HP and speed count work together in multi-speed motors. The BL6519 covers 1/4, 1/5, and 1/6 HP across three speeds at 1075 RPM. The 669 covers 1/10 through 1/35 HP across four speeds at the same RPM. For replacement work, confirming the existing motor's HP range on each speed tap against the replacement motor's HP range ensures the system operates within the blower's original airflow design parameters.

Motor type, shaded pole versus PSC, matters for performance. PSC motors include a run capacitor that improves efficiency and torque output compared to shaded pole designs. For original equipment replacement, matching the motor type to the original is the cleanest approach. For new installations or upgrades where a higher-torque motor is needed, a PSC design such as the BL6519 may be specified in place of a shaded pole model with the same frame and speed rating.

Rotation direction is confirmed by viewing the shaft end and must match the original. CCWLE indicates counterclockwise rotation when looking at the lead end. CWSE indicates clockwise rotation when looking at the shaft end. Reversible motors, including the BL6519 and B6507, can be configured for either direction in the field.

FAQs

What is a 5-inch single shaft fan/blower motor and what equipment does it serve?

A 5-inch single shaft fan/blower motor is a 42-frame open-enclosure electric motor with a single shaft extension at the drive end, used to directly drive squirrel cage blower wheels in HVAC air handlers, furnaces, fan coil units, unit heaters, and similar equipment. The 5-inch designation refers to the frame diameter of the motor body. Single shaft means the motor has one shaft extension that accepts the blower wheel directly, without a belt or separate coupling. All 5-inch single shaft fan/blower motors in this category are 42 frame, 60 Hz, single phase, and rated for continuous duty in air-over applications.

What is the difference between shaded pole and PSC motors in this category?

The difference between shaded pole and PSC motors in the 5-inch single shaft fan/blower category is the motor starting and running method. Shaded pole motors, including the Century BL6414 and BL6505, use an internal shading coil to create the rotating magnetic field that starts and runs the motor, making them simple, low-cost, and maintenance-free with no external capacitor required. PSC (permanent split capacitor) motors, including the Century BL6519 and 669, use a run capacitor connected at all times, which improves efficiency, power factor, and available torque compared to shaded pole designs. For most replacement applications, matching the original motor type is the correct approach.

What does CCWLE or CWSE mean on a fan/blower motor rotation designation?

CCWLE stands for counterclockwise rotation when looking at the lead (wiring) end of the motor. CWSE stands for clockwise rotation when looking at the shaft end of the motor. These designations indicate the direction the motor shaft spins when the motor is running, which determines the direction the blower wheel turns and the direction of airflow through the system. Replacing a motor with one that has the opposite rotation from the original can reverse airflow direction in the equipment. For motors designated as reversible, such as the Century BL6519, the rotation direction can be changed in the field by swapping the lead connections per the motor's wiring diagram.

How is the correct 5-inch single shaft fan/blower motor identified for a replacement?

The correct 5-inch single shaft fan/blower motor for a replacement is identified by reading the nameplate on the existing motor and matching the key specifications: voltage, HP, RPM, number of speeds, rotation direction, and mounting style (resilient ring, extended studs, or round). The replacement motor must match the original's HP and RPM at each speed tap to maintain the designed airflow in the equipment. The BL6414 (SKU BL6414) confirms it replaces the discontinued BL6413 and D158, which is the most direct replacement path for those earlier motors.