Delta 12038 12V, 24V and 48V Fan Selection Guide

A Delta 12038 fan has a nominal frame size of 120 × 120 × 38 mm. This format provides more airflow and static pressure than thinner 120 × 120 × 25 mm fans and is commonly used in servers, storage systems, telecom equipment, UPS systems and industrial power supplies.

Delta offers 12038 fans in 12V, 24V and 48V versions. Fans with the same dimensions may have different current ratings, airflow, static pressure, speed-control functions and connectors. Matching the frame size alone is therefore not sufficient for selection or replacement.

Delta 12038 Fan Model Comparison

Specifications apply to the complete models shown. Suffix variants may use different connectors, lead wires, speed signals, PWM control or protection functions.

What Is the Difference Between 12V, 24V and 48V Fans?

The main difference is the required DC power supply. A higher rated voltage does not automatically mean higher airflow or stronger cooling.

PFB1212UHE, PFB1224UHE and PFB1248UHE demonstrate this clearly. These three models have the same:

• 120 × 120 × 38 mm dimensions

• 5,500 RPM speed

• 252.85 CFM maximum airflow

• 1.412 inH₂O maximum static pressure

• 48 W rated power

• 66.5 dB(A) noise level

Their voltage and current requirements are different:

For the same electrical power, increasing the voltage reduces the required current. Lower current can reduce conductor losses and simplify power distribution, but only when the equipment already provides the corresponding supply voltage.

These three models are mechanically similar but are not electrically interchangeable.

When to Select a 12V Delta 12038 Fan

A 12V fan is commonly used in computing equipment because 12V power is widely available in servers and electronic systems.

Typical applications include:

• AI and GPU servers

• RAID storage arrays

• NAS and SAN equipment

• Network appliances

• Workstations

• Test equipment

• Embedded computing systems

AFB1212SHE is suitable when moderate-to-high airflow is required with lower power consumption and noise than the PFB or PFR high-performance models.

PFR1212UHE-SP00 and PFR1212DHE-SP00 are better suited to systems that require PWM speed control and speed monitoring. They provide higher airflow and pressure but also consume more power and generate more noise.

PFB1212UHE is intended for applications where maximum cooling performance is more important than power consumption or acoustic noise. Its 4 A rated current must be considered carefully when designing the power circuit.

When to Select a 24V Delta 12038 Fan

A 24V fan is commonly used in industrial and power-electronics systems.

Typical applications include:

• Industrial control cabinets

• Automation equipment

• Inverters and converters

• UPS systems

• Battery chargers

• Semiconductor equipment

• Industrial power supplies

PFB1224UHE provides the same rated cooling performance as PFB1212UHE but requires approximately 2 A instead of 4 A.

A 24V fan should be selected when the equipment has a regulated 24V supply and the fan power circuit can support its starting current. It must not be connected directly to a 12V or 48V supply.

For systems that do not require the full 252.85 CFM performance of PFB1224UHE, lower-speed PFB1224 models may provide reduced power consumption and noise.

When to Select a 48V Delta 12038 Fan

A 48V fan is primarily used in equipment with an existing 48V DC power architecture.

Typical applications include:

• Telecom base-station equipment

• Optical transmission systems

• 48V network platforms

• Data-center power equipment

• Communication power supplies

• Battery-backed telecom systems

PFB1248UHE provides 252.85 CFM airflow while drawing approximately 1 A at 48V. It is suitable for high-power cooling systems that benefit from lower current distribution.

A 48V fan is not automatically more powerful than a corresponding 12V or 24V model. Its main advantage is compatibility with 48V equipment and lower current for the same rated power.

Can 12V, 24V and 48V Fans Replace Each Other?

A 12V, 24V or 48V fan cannot directly replace a fan with a different rated voltage unless the power circuit is redesigned or a suitable DC-DC converter is added.

Delta 12038 Fan Stock, Pricing and Selection Support

DataStorageIC supplies Delta 120 × 120 × 38 mm fans for server, storage, telecom, industrial and power-electronics applications.

To request pricing or confirm a replacement model, please provide:

• Complete fan model and suffix

• Required quantity

• Photo of the original fan label

• Connector and wire photos

• Equipment type and application

• Required voltage

• Required delivery date

We can assist with voltage selection, model verification, airflow comparison, connector matching, replacement evaluation, stock status and lead-time confirmation.

Contact DataStorageIC for Delta 12038 12V, 24V and 48V fan pricing and selection support.