Hvac C I: Ontrols Ntroduction
Hvac C I: Ontrols Ntroduction
Hvac C I: Ontrols Ntroduction
ON-LINE VERSION
HVAC CONTROLS
INTRODUCTION
All specifications are nominal and may change as design improvements occur. Invensys
Building Systems shall not be liable for damages resulting from misapplication or misuse of
its products.
Invensys Building Systems
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Introduction ................................................................................................... 1
Function of HVAC controls................................................................................................ 1
Location of Equipment....................................................................................................... 2
Mechanical Room ............................................................................................................. 3
Room Controls.................................................................................................................. 15
Sensor ............................................................................................................................... 20
Controller .......................................................................................................................... 22
Actuators........................................................................................................................... 26
Pneumatic Actuators....................................................................................................... 26
Hydraulic Actuators......................................................................................................... 27
Gear Train Actuators....................................................................................................... 28
Direct-Coupled Actuators ................................................................................................ 28
Valves ................................................................................................................................ 29
Normally Open (N.O.) ..................................................................................................... 29
Normally Closed (N.C.) ................................................................................................... 29
Three-Way valves ........................................................................................................... 30
Transducers ...................................................................................................................... 31
Dampers ............................................................................................................................ 32
Parallel Blade Dampers .................................................................................................. 32
Opposed Blade Dampers................................................................................................ 32
Controller Action...............................................................................................................38
Reset ..................................................................................................................................44
Direct Reset.......................................................................................................................46
Identifying Reverse or Direct Reset.................................................................................47
Proportional Control.........................................................................................................52
Electronic Direct Digital Control System..........................................................................52
Throttling Range..............................................................................................................54
Proportional with Integral (P.I.) Control ...........................................................................55
ON / OFF Control...............................................................................................................56
Differential .......................................................................................................................57
Differential .......................................................................................................................57
Floating Control ...............................................................................................................58
Appendix A .................................................................................................. 84
Glossary ...................................................................................................... 91
Abbreviations.................................................................................................................... 91
Definitions ......................................................................................................................... 92
Glossary
The Glossary contains a list of abbreviations and alphabetically lists and defines
terms used in this document.
Temperature — The comfort zone for temperature is between 68°F (20°C) and 75°F ?
(25°C). Temperatures less than 68°F (20°C) may cause some people to feel too cool.
Temperatures greater than 78°F (25°C) may cause some people to feel too warm. Of
course, these values vary between people, regions and countries.
Humidity — The comfort zone for humidity is between 20% relative humidity (RH) ?
and 60% RH. Humidity less than 20% RH causes the room to be too dry, which has an
adverse effect on health, computers, printers, and many other areas. Humidity greater than
60% RH causes the room to be muggy and increases the likelihood of mildew problems.
Pressure — The rooms and buildings typically have a slightly positive pressure to
reduce outside air infiltration. This helps in keeping the building clean.
Ventilation — Rooms typically have several complete air changes per hour. Indoor
Air Quality (IAQ) is an important issue. The distribution pattern of the air entering room
must keep people comfortable without feeling any drafts, and this is important as well.
Mechanical Room: Boilers, chillers, pumps, heat exchangers, and other associated
equipment are found inside the mechanical room. This area is sometimes called the main
equipment room.
Air Handling Units (AHUs): AHUs may be found on the roof, in the main
equipment room, or in their own equipment room, which is referred to as the secondary
equipment room. AHUs may heat, cool, humidify, dehumidify, ventilate, or filter the air to
condition it, then distribute that air to a section of the building.
Heating
The mechanical room may contain a boiler or a group of boilers. The boilers provide ?
heat for the building. In cooler climates, boilers are large or consist of a number of smaller
modular boilers. In warmer climates, boilers are small or even absent from the mechanical
room. When enabled, boilers supply a source of hot water that is used by coils throughout
the building. The temperature of this hot water may be varied based on the outside
temperature. Note: Hot Water Supply (HWS) temperatures may vary because of the
application or the HVAC equipment.
AHU
Where a steam boiler is used, a steam converter is commonly incorporated into the
design. A steam converter is a type of heat exchanger. Steam provided from the boiler is
used to heat water inside the converter. In turn, the hot water developed by the converter
is used in the same way as the hot water is used from a hot water boiler. In the example
? above, a normally closed (N.C.) valve is used to control the amount of steam going to the
heat steam converter. When no power or signal is received at this type of valve, it closes.
Different types of heat exchangers may be used for other applications, including cooling.
Water Pumps
Pumps are essential to move the water in a system, whether it is from the boiler to
the hot water coils, or from the chiller to the chilled water coils, or from the chiller to the
cooling tower. Some applications require at least two pumps so that a standby pump is
ready in case something happens to the operating pump. The operating pump is referred
to as the lead or primary pump, and the standby pump is the lag or secondary pump.
Cooling
The Chiller is the source of cooling for many buildings. There are a variety of chiller ?
types. A simple drawing of a centrifugal chiller is shown above. A chiller produces cool
water, for example 42°F (5°C), which is pumped to the chilled water coils inside the air
handling units. In this example, heat is being removed at the Air Handling Unit and being
rejected to the outdoors at the cooling tower. There are three basic steps to the heat
transferring process:
1) The chilled water supply (CHWS) is pumped to the cooling coils in the AHUs,
then the cooled return water, at 52°F (example only), is circulated back to the
chiller (chilled water return, or CHWR). At the cooling coil, the heat for the space
is transferred to the chilled water and the water carries the heat back to the
chiller.
3) The Cooling Tower expels the heat to the outside air. The cooling tower is a
container that is open to the atmosphere (Open System), through which water is
passed. When heated water comes from the chiller, it is forced upward to the top
of the cooling tower, then sprayed down into the container. Evaporation causes
the water to lose some of its heat. To increase the heat loss, fans may be turned
on, causing more evaporation. Once the water is cooled to around 85°F (30°C),
the water settles in the sump and is sent back to the chiller.
Evaporation is a cooling process that causes some of the water to be lost to the
atmosphere. As a result, make up water or fill is needed to maintain the proper water level.
Therefore, water in a cooling tower requires water treatment supervision.
There are other ways to cool the condenser water, including cooling ponds or air-
cooled condensers.
Mechanical Room
Match the identification number of the mechanical equipment with its name.
Matching
1._____ A) Boilers
3._____ C) Chillers
1. D) Cooling Tower
3. C) Chillers
6. A) Boilers
Air Handling Units (AHUs) supply conditioned air to a particular part of a building.
AHUs can supply different sized areas, whether it is a part of a room, a zone, or an entire
group of rooms. In the diagram above, two AHUs supply air to a school auditorium. This
AHU contains a mixed air chamber, a filter, a chilled water coil (commonly called a cooling
coil), a hot water coil (commonly called a heating coil), a fan, and a humidifier. The parts of
an AHU are often referred to as the “water side,” composed of those parts that pass water
through the AHU, and the “air side,” which is composed of the devices that direct the air
within the AHU.
Mixed Air refers to the mixing of outside air with the air returning from inside the
building. This is accomplished by dampers controlling airflow in a way similar to venetian ?
blinds controlling sunlight. In the diagram above, there are dampers for the outside air and
the return air. It is important that these dampers work together. As outside air dampers ?
open, the return air dampers must close. An actuator (sometimes referred to as a motor or
operator) and linkage are set up so that this operation occurs. ?
Invensys Building Systems 9
INTRODUCTION
? Ventilation requirements determine the minimum position of the outside air dampers.
In the winter, when the chiller is shut down, the outside air dampers may open beyond the
minimum position to provide cooling. Using outside air for cooling rather than mechanical
? cooling is referred to as an economizer mode. During the summer, when the outside air is
too warm to use for cooling, the outside air dampers are set to the ventilation requirement,
? which is the minimum position. Exhaust air dampers allow air to leave the building in
proportion to the amount of outside air that enters.
Filters remove dirt particles from the mixed air. It is essential that these filters be
replaced periodically. A mixed air sensor is typically located after the filter. This sensor
averages the mixed air temperature throughout the cross-section of the duct. This is
? important because in mixed air, stratification, which is the layering of the warm and cold air
inside the duct, can occur, possibly resulting in control or comfort problems.
The Supply Fan moves the air through the air-handling unit and out into the rooms.
? The amount of air going through the fan may be controlled by the use of inlet vane dampers
(blades that cover the inlet of the fan), or by the use of a variable frequency drive (VFD)
? that controls the speed of the fan motor by varying the cycles of electricity. The fan may be
positioned before the coils as shown below (blow-through fan) or after the coils (draw-
through fan).
The Hot Water Coil heats the air as it passes over the coil. It may be necessary to
heat the air even when providing cooling to a building. This concept may be confusing at
first. To help understand this application, it is important to remember that the core of a
large building may require cooling year-round, regardless of the outside air temperature.
Typically, air used for cooling is delivered to the space at 55°F. If the mixed air
temperature is below 55°F, it may be necessary to heat the air to 55°F for a cooling
? application. In the drawing above, the discharge air sensor modulates a two-way normally
open (N.O.) valve to maintain the 55°F (13°C) discharge air temperature. With the removal
of the input signal, this valve goes completely open, putting as much hot water into the coil
as possible. This reduces the chance of the water freezing, which may destroy a coil.
The supply air fan distributes the air into the rooms or zones. After the air has gone
through the zones, it comes back to the Return Fan, which routes the return air back to the
return air dampers or the exhaust air dampers.
Referring to the drawing on the previous page, match the identification number of the
equipment with the correct letter.
Matching
2.__________ B. Filter
2. J. Return Fan
5. K. Return Air
6. B. Filter
7. F. Mixed Air
One way to control the temperature in a room is with a Wall Thermostat (stat) that
sends a signal to an actuator that positions a damper to modulate the airflow in a variable
air volume (VAV) box. These VAV boxes are installed in the space between the ceiling tile
and the structural ceiling. This space is sometimes used as a return air plenum, as part of
the building air distribution system.
Actuator
The VAV box has a Damper that modulates to maintain the space temperature by
increasing or decreasing the volume of air being delivered to the space. The airflow is
measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM) or liters per second (L/s). If the space is too ?
warm, the damper is adjusted to allow more 55°F (13°C) air into the space. If the space is
too cool, less air is delivered to the space.
It is also important that these boxes filter the noise that is developed by the AHU.
The picture above shows a cooling-only VAV box. There are numerous other types of
boxes, including electric heaters, separate fans, or hot water coils.
Air Diffusers
Room controls can also control equipment independent from an AHU. This type of
equipment includes fan coil units, unit heaters, unit ventilators, and heat pumps.
A Unit Ventilator, common in schools, is shown above. It serves as the local air-
handling unit and has dampers for the outside and return air, a fan, and a hot water coil.
The hot water comes from the boiler. The diffusers are on the top of the unit. A space
thermostat controls the valve and dampers in this unit. A switch on the base of the
thermostat starts the fan inside the unit ventilator.
Fan Coil Units differ from unit ventilators in that they have no dampers. Fan coils
are typically installed above ceilings or as console units in a room.
There are many different ways to control the environment of a building. This has
only been an overview of some of the equipment that may be encountered.
A. Sensor
B. Controller
C. Controlled Devices
1. Actuators
2. Valves
3. Transducers
4. Dampers
? 3. A Controlled Device acts upon the signal from the controller. In the example,
the valve is the controlled device, modulating hot water to maintain the proper
? temperature in the room.
These four parts are needed in any control system, however, two of these parts may
be combined under the same cover, as in the case of some thermostats. While there are
occasions when the sensor and controller are combined into one physical device, their
basic function remains the same. The sensor, controller, and controlled device are needed
for any control system, however an installed system may have additional parts beyond the
basics.
? The example on the next page shows an electronic-DDC (Direct Digital Control)
system. In this, a type of resistor senses the temperature. The controller in the control
panel receives the sensor information and sends an output signal to the valve. The
valve/actuator, which is the controlled device, receives the signal from the controller and
adjusts to the correct position. Here, electricity is the source of energy. Sensor, Controller
and Controlled Device are explained in detail on the following pages.
Energy
Source
A sensor monitors and measures a variable. The HVAC variables are temperature,
humidity, and pressure. Different types of signals are produced by different types of
sensors.
Electric Controls ON / OFF signals complete or break (close or open) the control
signal.
The controller receives the signal from the sensor and produces an output signal
with setpoint, sensitivity (differential or throttling range), and action. Types of signals from
these devices are as follows:
Electric Controls The majority of electric controls contain the sensor and controller
as one piece. Electric controls use ON / OFF signals.
A signal from the sensor is sent to the controller. In this example, 72.5°F (22.5°C) is
the setpoint or desired temperature for a room.
The electronic controller has an output of 6 Vdc at 70°F (21°C), and an output of
9 Vdc at 75°F (24°C). This throttling range of 3°F is used to identify the voltage change to
temperature change. The output is then sent to the controlled device.
A controlled device acts upon a signal from the controller. There are a variety of
controlled devices. Some examples are;
Pneumatic Actuators
Pneumatic actuators are common controlled devices in the United States. These
actuators use compressed air to operate valves and dampers. Pneumatic actuators are
easy to repair and can be very cost effective. Specific spring ranges are used for different
applications. Spring ranges are selected to provide the most force at close off or to
perform a specific sequence of operations. On a normally open valve, the spring range of 3
to 8 psig (21 to 56 kPa) would be common. On a normally closed valve, the range is
? typically 8 to13 psig (56 to 91 kPa). An additional device, a positive positioner, is used on
some actuators to them to perform as if they have a different range, or to provide precise
position control. It may also adjust the actuator’s start point, and possibly provide
additional force at the close off of a valve or damper.
Hydraulic actuators and valve assemblies are another type of controlled device. The
actuator in the diagram above operates on 6 to 9 Vdc. The yellow wire is the signal
provided by a controller, and the blue wire is common, or 0 Vdc. The red wire is a source
of +20 Vdc used by certain controllers but is typically not a power supply to DDC control
systems controllers. Hydraulic actuators use hydraulic fluid to extend the shaft of the
actuator. An internal spring is used to retract the actuator.
Don’t be confused if the IBS hydraulic actuator is referred to as the “beer can” actuator.
The term “beer can” has been a slang term used by many IBS offices and customers for
years. It is helpful to understand the hydraulic alphanumeric model number system.
? Gear train actuators are electric controlled devices. In the picture above, a box-
shaped solid-state drive on the side of the actuator converts the signal (for example, 0 to
10 Vdc or 4 to 20 mA) on the yellow wire to operate the gear train actuator. The blue wire
is common and the red wire is a source of +20 Vdc. The gear train actuator may operate
in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. An external linkage must be placed on the
actuator to operate a valve or damper. These actuators can develop a large amount of
torque, but caution should be taken to ensure that, in spring-return applications, the spring
has the necessary power to return the actuator to the fail-safe position.
IBS Gear Train Actuators are MP-300s, MP-400s, MP-2000s, and MP-3000. There
are a great variety of features within this product line. The gear train actuators can be used
for proportional, floating, and two-position applications of valves and dampers. (See the
? close-off ratings in the parts catalog.)
Direct-Coupled Actuators
Mixing Valve
A diverting valve is defined as a valve with one input and two outputs. A common
use of a diverting valve is with a cooling tower, where the valve diverts water to the top of
the cooling tower or bypasses the tower to the sump.
Diverting Valve
24H
24G
+IN
COM
+20
OC
OE
AUTO MANUAL
Parallel blade dampers are pictured above. Note that the blades of the damper are
parallel to each other. Outside air dampers are linked normally closed, so that if any
? problem occurs, such as a low limit alarm, the outside air dampers go closed. In this
example, the return air dampers are linked normally open.
The diagram above shows opposed blade dampers in which the adjoining blades of
the damper are positioned in opposite directions. It is important that outside air dampers
and return air dampers work together. As one damper closes, the other damper opens. If
these two dampers fail to work properly and both become closed, the supply fan will
continue to pull in air, which could result in the ductwork collapsing.
Review the following diagram and answer the questions on the next page.
3. Which two devices are controlled devices for water? _______ ______
7. Device #3 is a __________________.
1. 6.
2. 4.
3. 2 and 5
4. Parallel
5. Return
6. Open
7. Transducer
9. Mixing
Setpoint
Setpoint is the desired condition of a variable that is to be maintained, such as
temperature. A room that needs relative humidity to be at 50% RH, or an air handler duct
pressure that is to be 2.0 in. w.c. (inches of water column) (500 Pa) are examples of ?
setpoints. In the example below, 75°F (24°C) is the room temperature setpoint.
Setpoint
Control Point
The Control Point is the actual temperature being sensed. The Control Point ?
(temperature) may not be on the setpoint, but instead may be above or below it. Systems
operate to maintain the setpoint, plus or minus some acceptable limits called differential ?
(two-position or on/off control) or throttling range (proportional control). Simply stated,
setpoint is what you want, while control point is what you get. In the example below, the ?
setpoint is 74°F (23°C), and the control point is at 72°F (22°C), and varying.
Offset is the amount away from setpoint, or the difference between the Setpoint and ?
the Control Point. In the example above, the offset is approximately 2°F(1°C).
This relationship between the input to a controller (temperature) and its output
(current) can be displayed on a graph as follows:
Example: In Florida, you are controlling a normally open chilled water valve. In this
example, the cooling column is used. In much of Florida, cooling is far more important than
heating. Since the valve is normally open, the "Fails to ON" row is used. The column and
the row intersect at R.A. or Reverse Acting. As the temperature increases, the signal
drops, allowing the chilled water valve to go to its normal open position. As the
temperature decreases, the signal increases, closing the normally open chilled water valve.
Controller action is very important. Review the examples on the next page and
determine if the controller should be D.A. (Direct Acting) or R.A. (Reverse Acting).
1. A discharge air sensor modulates a normally open hot water valve. What action is
needed for the controller?
Circle the correct answer. D.A. or R.A.
2. A return air humidity sensor modulates a normally closed chilled water valve for
dehumidification. What action is needed for the controller?
Circle the correct answer. D.A. or R.A.
4. A room sensor cycles DX cooling to maintain a room temperature of 75°F (24°C). The
DX Cooling has normally open electrical contacts. What action is needed for the
controller?
Circle the correct answer. D.A. or R.A.
5. The mixed air sensor modulates the normally closed outside air dampers and the
normally open return air dampers to maintain a temperature of 55°F (13°C). What action is
needed for the controller?
Circle the correct answer. D.A. or R.A.
1. Direct Acting
2. Direct Acting
3. Reverse Acting
4. Direct Acting
5. Direct Acting
In every reset application there are at least two sensors. In the example above, the
two sensors are outside air temperature (O.A. Temp) and hot water supply temperature
(HWS). It is important to know which sensor is the primary sensor and which is the
secondary sensor. To determine which is the primary sensor, ask, "What are the controls
trying to control?" In this example, there is one sensor in outside air and one in hot water.
Of these two, the hot water is being controlled, therefore the hot water sensor is the primary
sensor. The outside air temperature sensor is the secondary sensor. The function of the
secondary sensor is to reset, or automatically change, the setpoint of the controller.
Each reset application uses a reset schedule. This schedule is determined by the
mechanical engineer or the application engineer. A hot water reset schedule is shown on
the next page.
Just as the term “action” is defined as reverse and direct, “reset” is also defined as
reverse and direct. The hot water reset, above, is an example of reverse reset.
?
Reverse Reset
The most common of the two types of reset is reverse reset. Reverse reset means
that as the signal from the secondary sensor drops, the setpoint of the controller increases.
In the example above, as the outside air temperature drops, the hot water setpoint rises.
Summer Compensation
When cooling (air conditioning) was first introduced, shopping malls advertised their
stores as being a comfortable 72°F (22°C) year round. This was fine until the summer
became very hot. People who were outside in 100°F (38°C) weather, dressed for hot
weather, would walk into a shopping mall and feel cold. Some people did not stay long in
the stores because it felt too cool. Summer compensation is used to counteract this
problem. Summer compensation raises the zone setpoint as the outside air temperature
increases. The secondary signal and the setpoint go in the same direction. A typical reset
schedule for this application may look like the following:
This application is used in any building where a large number of people are entering
and leaving all day, such as a shopping mall or bank. If this application is used, it may be
important to ensure that the air is dehumidified for proper comfort.
Application #1
The hot water supply is maintained by modulating two normally closed steam valves
supplying the steam converter.
Humidity Reset
2. Reverse Reset
3. Reverse Action
5. Direct Reset
6. Reverse Action
8. Reverse Reset
9. Direct Action
? There are a number of control systems that are proportional by their nature,
including pneumatics, electronic analog controls, and electronic digital controls.
?
Electronic Direct Digital Control System
Electronic Direct Digital Controls, better known as Direct Digital Controls (DDC),
were introduced to the market in the early 1980s. These controls are electronic and
microprocessor based, and require programming to operate correctly. These devices run
their programs over and over again. Each time a controller completes its program, it scans
(reads) the inputs. A DDC controller may scan as fast as several times each second. With
each scan, adjustments are made to the outputs. In the example below, a DDC controller
modulates a three-way mixing chilled water valve to maintain a room setpoint of 74°F
(23°C).
A Balco element may be used as the sensor, although numerous other sensor inputs
can be used, including platinum, copper, or 10K thermistors. These are referred to as
RTDs (resistance temperature devices). Other inputs might be voltage, from 1 to 5 Vdc, or
current of 4 to 20 mA (milliamps). The controller amplifies the signal and provides a
setpoint, an action, and a throttling range. The controller might optimize the output,
coordinate the output with other controllers, or trend the input and output. Information can
be shared with other controllers. The output from the controller goes to the actuator via the
yellow wire and varies from 0 to 12 Vdc or from 4 to 20 mA.
The DDC system on the previous page controls a room with a setpoint of 74°F
(23°C). At setpoint, the valve is at midstroke, representing 50% cooling output from the
coil*. Suppose there is a large influx of people into the room. People put out heat, causing
the room temperature to rise. The controller responds by increasing the signal, extending
the actuator and opening the normally closed chilled water valve. Based on the throttling
range and the setpoint, each temperature value represents a corresponding actuator
position. For example, midstroke is reached at 74°F (23°C). The heavy cooling load
resulting from the large number of people entering this space causes the temperature to
climb to 76°F (24°C) and the valve strokes to its fully open position. Next, suppose most of
the people leave this space, causing a light cooling load. The temperature drops and the
actuator retracts, closing the valve completely when the space temperature reaches 72°F
(22°C). The preceding two examples show that the temperature can swing anywhere
within the 4°F (2°C) throttling range, based on the system’s cooling load.** It is only when
the load is at 50% of its maximum that the space temperature matches the setpoint exactly.
However, such temperature swings are not noticeable to most people.
*HVAC systems are non-linear. A valve or damper that is 50% open, or at mid-stoke, does
not typically equate to 50% flow.
**If the requirement for cooling is beyond the limits of the cooling equipment, the controls
may be working properly even though the room temperature is outside the throttling range.
For example, if there is a meeting in a room that was designed for a maximum capacity of
twenty people but forty people actually attend, the heat generated by the additional people
will cause the room to become warmer than the controller setpoint plus the throttling range.
Refer to the graph, above, for an example of how P.I. control works. Note that
starting at the left, the temperature matches the setpoint, and the output from the controller
is 50%. Then the load changes and there is an offset from the setpoint. The output from
the controller starts to compensate, first at 55%, then 60%, then 65% and so forth, until the
temperature returns to setpoint. This may cause some oscillation on the part of the
controller, but its output eventually stabilizes. In this example the output, at 65%, took
three minutes to stabilize and achieve the 74°F (23°C) setpoint. In other words, every time
the load changes, the controller attempts to make the setpoint and the control point the
same.
Since any temperature changes are amplified, it is important to make sure the
system does not hunt before adding integral control. This means the throttling range may
need to be increased, or even doubled, to ensure that the system is stable for P.I. control.
In the above example, when the room temperature rises, the controller sends a signal to
close the pilot duty relay. The normally open contact is then made to common. This
completes the circuit and starts the DX cooling. When the temperature drops, the controller
returns the relay output to its open (normal) position, thereby turning OFF the DX cooling.
When the temperature reaches 76°F (24°C), the controller turns the DX cooling ON,
causing the space to cool. When the temperature has cooled to 72°F (22°C), the controller
turns the DX Cooling OFF, causing the space temperature to rise. This 4°F (2°C) swing in
temperature is not noticeable to most people. The difference between the temperatures at
which the controller turns ON or OFF, is called the Differential. The differential is similar to
throttling range except that the output is two-position, not proportional. The differential
must be wide enough to prevent short-cycling, which can cause mechanical equipment to ?
break down prematurely.
The differential is the change in the measured variable (i.e. temperature) required to
cause the controlled device to go from ON to OFF. The example used in the discussion of
throttling range applies here also, with the exception that DX Cooling is cycled from ON to
OFF. A 4°F (2°C) differential exists between the temperatures at which DX Cooling comes
ON and goes OFF.
There are actually two differentials. Mechanical Differential is the difference in the
temperatures at which the equipment is turned ON or OFF. The other type is the Thermal
Differential, which is the swing that occurs in the actual room temperature. The thermal
differential is wider than the mechanical differential because the cooling or rising of the
actual room temperature always lags behind the equipment turning ON or OFF.
The DDC controller in this example is controlling an actuator that positions normally
closed inlet vane dampers on a supply fan. At start-up, the inlet vanes are closed and the
duct static pressure is low. Because the controller is set up to maintain the duct static
pressure at 2 in. w.c. (500 Pa), it completes the OPEN circuit. This in turn drives the
electric actuator clockwise, causing the dampers to open, thus allowing more air to enter
the duct. This does not necessarily mean the dampers are opened fully. Instead, the
system opens the dampers just enough to raise the static pressure to the setpoint, inside
the differential. Once this pressure is reached, the controller breaks the OPEN circuit.
If the static pressure is too great, the controller completes the CLOSE circuit. This
causes the actuator to drive counterclockwise (anti-clockwise), closing the dampers and
reducing the airflow, thus lowering the static pressure. Once the static pressure is within
the differential, the controller breaks the CLOSE circuit. At setpoint, neither the OPEN nor
CLOSE circuits are made, and the actuator "floats" at its last position.
The diagram of static pressure controlled with floating control, is shown below.
At the left of the graph, when duct pressure is 2 in. w.c. (500 Pa), the controller does
not respond. As the demand for cooling drops and several VAV boxes begin to close
down, the static pressure inside the supply duct rises. It is only the static pressure reaches
2.1 in. w.c. (525 Pa), that the controller responds. At that point, the controller completes
the CLOSE circuit and the actuator slowly drives the inlet vane dampers further closed. If
the CLOSE contacts stay closed for only 6 seconds, and it takes 120 seconds for the
actuator to travel from one end of its stroke to the other, this would mean than the actuator
closed the dampers 5%.
When the demand for cooling increases, some VAV boxes open, and static pressure
begins to drop. When the pressure reaches 1.9 in. w.c. (475 Pa), the OPEN contacts are
made for 12 seconds, so that the dampers are opened by 10%.
1. Assume that you are using proportional control. Identify each of the lettered items in
the graph, with one of the terms discussed in this section, then give its present numerical
value either in °F or °C.
A. _____________ _______________
B. _____________ _______________
C. _____________ _______________
D. _____________ _______________
Duty cycling is a strategy that cycles certain loads, such as small exhaust fans, ON and ?
OFF. For example, exhaust fans may be cycled ON for 20 minutes, then shut OFF for 10
minutes, continuously throughout the occupied time. This is referred to as a fixed duty
cycle. At the end of the day, the OFF time may amount to a large portion of the time.
While this strategy may look good on paper, in practice it may not be cost effective. For
example, if this strategy is used on large fan motors of 15 hp or greater, there may be no
energy savings. That is because the money that is saved during the OFF time could be
offset by the large current draw required for starting up the large fan, and the ON and OFF
cycles can require more maintenance on the motor belts and other equipment.
A modification of this strategy is called the Temperature Compensated Duty Cycle.
This strategy is used with electric baseboard heaters. If the temperature in the space is
70°F (21°C), the heaters are ON for 1 minute and OFF for 14 minutes. If the space
temperature drops to 68°F (20°C), then the heaters are ON for 7 minutes and OFF for
8 minutes. If the space temperatures continue to drop to 66°F (19°C), then the heaters are
ON continuously and are not shut OFF until the temperature in the space reaches the
setpoint.
Optimum Start can be a valuable strategy for saving energy if there are unoccupied
times in a building. The optimum start program computes the best, or optimum, time to
start the heating or cooling equipment so that at the precise beginning of occupied time, the
zone is at the desired temperature. Significant amounts of energy may be saved if the
occupied setpoint is achieved as close to occupied time as possible.
Note the example in the chart above. Using only Timed Program Commands (TPC),
and identifying the worst possible conditions in which to start cooling, it has been decided
that the cooling must be started at 4:00 a.m., 4 hours before occupied time, when it is 95°F
(35°C) outside and the zone temperature is 90°F (32°C). This may be a good strategy if
these worst-case conditions always exist. However, if the outside air and zone
temperatures are lower, the setpoint will be reached in a shorter time than necessary,
wasting energy. As the chart shows, if the outside air is 68°F (20°C) and the zone
temperature is 80°F (27°C), the cooling equipment would achieve the occupied setpoint 2-
1/2 hours before occupied time, which is much earlier than necessary. Instead, when
optimum start is used under these cooler conditions, the occupied cooling is started 1-1/4
hours before occupied time. This is much more efficient than the 4 hours chosen in the
earlier strategy.
Optimum start is used in the same way for heating. If heat is required in the morning to
raise the temperature to the occupied setpoint, the program would automatically calculate
the start time so that setpoint is achieved just before occupied time begins. That means
that on warmer mornings, the heating equipment is started at a later time than it is on
cooler mornings.
The Optimum Stop program calculates a stop time that allows the temperature of
the space to “coast” from the occupied setpoint towards the unoccupied setpoint, while
maintaining an allowable comfort level with the least amount of energy usage. For
example, the program would monitor the end of the occupied day and begin turning heating
and cooling equipment OFF as people leave the building, to “coast” to the unoccupied
setpoints.
Controlling energy costs is a major concern for today’s building owners. Trying to
manage the consumption of electricity is a concern for the utility provider, as well. One
strategy that electric companies have instituted to hold down electricity usage is to impose
demand charges, in which the utilities set a demand limit for a facility's electric usage. If
this limit is exceeded, the facility pays a penalty, or demand, charge. These demand
charges could comprise 30% to 70% of the electric energy bill. An additional problem is
that even one excursion beyond the demand limit could increase the utility bill for as long
as an entire year. Of course, utility companies and areas vary in the approach taken with
consumer utility management, therefore it is suggested that you consult with your providers
to ensure your programs are set up correctly.
An effective way to manage demand and limit the number of excursions is to use an
Electric Demand Limiting (EDL) program. In this strategy, automation equipment, using EDL,
monitors all the demand circuits. Through a technique known as sliding-window data, EDL
predicts (forecasts) an expected demand level before it occurs. The forecasted demand
level is then compared to the pre-established demand limit. If the forecasted value exceeds
this demand limit, the program computes the magnitude of the expected excursion and
automatically sheds sufficient loads (load shedding) to prevent the excursion from occurring. ?
Once the demand drops below the limit, those previously shed loads are brought back on
line.
Looking at the example above, the demand limit is 1500 KW, which is calculated
over a 15 minute window. As the kilowatt usage approaches the limit, non-essential loads
are shed, or turned OFF, to avoid exceeding the limit. This may occur, for example, when
there is a large demand for cooling. When the usage level drops to 1425 KW, these loads
are restored, or turned back ON.
A difficult part of using the EDL program is the determination of non-essential loads.
For instance, if air handling units are turned OFF, people may become uncomfortable. In
response to this, some EDL programs offer the option of choosing different methods of
shedding loads. An example of this is Linear Mode, which puts loads in priority so that the
least important areas are shed first. This is also described as First OFF, Last ON. Another
option is called Rotate, which places all the loads on an equal basis but rotates the
selection of which load will be shed first. In other words, one area is shed first this time but
another area is shed first the next time. This option is also described as First OFF, First
ON.
Note; Demand charges and energy management programs used by utility companies differ
greatly. Be sure to investigate the programs that are available in your area.
Enthalpy Optimization
During the cooling season, additional energy savings may be realized by choosing
the air source, either return air or outside air, that contains the least amount of total heat
? (Enthalpy). Enthalpy is determined by a combination of temperature and relative humidity.
There are energy savings if the cooling coil is presented with the air having the lower
enthalpy, whether this is return air or outside air.
In the example shown above, the outside air is 9°F (5°C) cooler than the return air.
However, the relative humidity of the outside air is 95%, fully 70% higher than the return air.
This combination of temperature and humidity means that the outside air has more
enthalpy than the return air. It would require more energy for the cooling coil to remove the
moisture from the outside air than the return air. Therefore, the Enthalpy Optimization
program selects the return air as the better choice for cooling.
One method of tracking the outside air and the need for heating is the calculation of
heating degree day units, used by the National Weather Service. This is a unit, based
upon temperature and time, used in estimating fuel consumption and specifying nominal
heating load of a building in winter. One heating degree day is given for each degree that
the daily mean temperature is below 65°F (18°C), the temperature below which heating is
enabled. For example, if yesterday's high for outside air temperature was 60°F (15.5°C),
and the low was 40°F (4.5°C), then the average outside air temperature was 50°F (10°C).
Since the average outside air temperature is 15°F (8°C) below the heating enable point, 15
heating degree day units (8 heating units for metric) are calculated for that day. Programs
in DDC controllers follow the heating and cooling demands, providing the operator a useful
tool for energy discussions with the building managers or owners.
During the cooling season, if the inside temperature is considerably greater than the
outside air temperature, then the air handling units may be turned ON during the night, to
purge the warm air out of the building. This is called a Night Purge Cycle.
In the example shown above, the inside air temperature is 18°F (10°C) warmer than
the outside air temperature, which has cooled during the night. To correct this, the air
handling units are turned ON until only a 5.5°F (3°C) difference is present. This type of free
cooling reduces the amount of mechanical cooling that has to take place the following
morning. However, caution should be taken concerning the humidity of the outside air. To
address this concern, an enthalpy optimization program could be established to ensure that
only the lowest enthalpy air is used to cool the building at night. Whether or not to use the
night purge cycle is determined by comparing the cost of running the air handling units at
night versus the cost of running the mechanical cooling in the morning.
1. Which two energy management strategies are dependent upon the facility having
Unoccupied Times?
(Circle the two best answers)
A. Timed Program Commands
B. Duty Cycle
C. Optimum Start
D. Electric Demand Limiting
E. Enthalpy Optimization
F. Degree Day Calculations
G. Night Purge Cycle
2. Of the following energy management strategies, name the two that have had the
least success.
(Circle the two best answers)
A. Timed Program Commands
B. Duty Cycle
C. Optimum Start
D. Electric Demand Limiting
E. Enthalpy Optimization
F. Degree Day Calculations
G. Night Purge Cycle
3. Of the following energy management strategies, name the two that deal only with
cooling and do not deal with heating applications.
(Circle the two best answers)
A. Timed Program Commands
B. Duty Cycle
C. Optimum Start
D. Electric Demand Limiting
E. Enthalpy Optimization
F. Degree Day Calculations
G. Night Purge Cycle
2. B. Duty Cycle
E. Enthalpy Optimization
3. E. Enthalpy Optimization
G. Night Purge Cycle
• Points
o Digital Input (DI)
o Digital Output (DO)
o Analog Input (AI)
o Analog Output (AO)
• Universal Points
• Pulse Input
Digital Inputs
Digital means that a piece of equipment can be either ON or OFF. Input refers to
information being sent to the DDC Controller. Therefore, a digital input is an ON/OFF
signal sent to the controller. Other names for digital are contact, two-position, binary,
discrete, or logical. Examples of digital inputs are occupied/unoccupied switches, flow
switches, and static pressure switches (pictured below).
Shown below is a flow switch, a type of DI, wired to a DDC controller. The terminals
labeled on the controller are UI-7 and C. UI-7 is the controller’s seventh UI terminal; UI
stands for Universal Input, which is explained later. The terminal designation "C" stands for
common. No external power is applied to this sensor.
Contact types
? If a controller has dry contacts, power must be added to make the relay work, as
pictured above.
If a controller has powered contacts, then there is already power at the contacts and
external power is not wired to those terminals. Triacs are a very common type of powered
contacts.
RTDs
Balco
Resistance = 1000 ohms at 70°F (1000 ohms at 21°C)
Range = -40° to 240°F (-40° to 115°C)
Ohms to Temp = Direct Relationship
IBS products using Balco resistors include the TS-8000 and TS-80000 series room
sensors, solar sensors, immersion sensors, averaging element sensors, outdoor air ?
sensors, and strap-on sensors. ?
Copper
Resistance= 1000 ohms at 70°F (1000 ohms at 21°C)
Range = -40° to 240°F (-40° to 115°C)
Ohms to Temp = Direct Relationship
IBS products using copper include the TS-5900 series sensors
10K Thermistor
Resistance = 10K ohms at 77°F (10K ohms at 25°C)
Range = 40° to 104°F (4 ° to 40°C)
Ohms to Temp = Reverse Relationship
An example of an IBS product using a thermistor element is the TSMN-57001-850 Room
Sensor
The example shown below is an AO from a DDC controller. The terminals are
labeled AO2 (Analog Output #2) and C (Common). A transducer converts the 4 to 20 mA
signal to a 3 to15 psig pneumatic signal. This application is frequently used to retrofit
buildings with existing pneumatic actuators.
Study the drawing below and identify the numbered points as either: AI, DI, AO, or DO
1. DO
2. DI
3. AI
4. AO
5. AO
6. AI
7. DI
8. DO
9. AO
Pulse Inputs
A Pulse Input point type allows a controller to monitor the power consumption of a
device such as a chiller, a fan, or an air hander. Pulse inputs are used to monitor the
power consumption of a whole building. Some electric companies offer a pulse input from
an electric meter, with each pulse representing a certain number of KW (kilowatts). In the
example below, the pulse input comes into terminals PC1 (Pulse Count #1) and C. The
controller in this example can sense a maximum of 8 pulses per second.
Current transformers and transducers can also monitor kilowatt usage, but they use
a 4 to 20 mA signal, so an AI point would be required.
CP-8511-XXX Series
8511-
Series
Electronic to Pneumatic Transducer
Features:
• Durable enclosure with easily accessible wiring
terminations.
• Panel or DIN rail mounting for quick, snap-on installation.
• High accuracy with low hysteresis.
• Long-term driftless operation with high repeatability.
• Low air consumption and large air flow capacity.
• Field selectable input ranges.
• Integral +20 Vdc power output for auxiliary components.
• Factory installed branch pressure gauge
• Integral auto/manual override feature with indication.
• BAS indication of auto/manual override.
Model Chart
Field
Field Selectable Input
Model No.a Output Range Selectable Power Requirements
Input Range Impedance
Actionb
4 to 20 mAc 250 Ω
1 to 5 mA 1000 Ω
6 to 9 V D.A. 20 to 30 Vac,
3 to 15 psigd
CP-8511-024 1 to 5 V or 24 to 30 Vdc,
(21 to 103 kPa)
0 to 10 V > 10,000 Ω R.A. 3.8 W
1 to 11 V
2 to 10 V
a
CAUTION: This product contains a half-wave rectifier power supply and must not be powered off transformers used to power other devices utilizing non-
isolated full-wave rectifier power supplies.
b
D.A. = Direct acting, branch pressure rises as input increases.
R.A. = Reverse acting, branch pressure falls as input increases.
c
Factory configured as 4 to 20 mAdc.
d
A maximum of 18 psig output is available when the zero potentiometer is increased to 6 psig.
Specifications
Inputs Refer to Model Chart.
Adjustments
Calibration Potentiometer for adjusting mid-range branch pressure.
Action By pin selection, refer to Model Chart.
Power requirements Refer to Model Chart.
Power supply Requires 20 to 30 Vac, 50/60 hZ, or 24 to 30 Vdc power supply, 3.8 watts maximum.
20 psig (138 kPa) nominal, 30 psig (207 kPa) maximum. Clean, dry, oil free air required
Air supply required
(reference EN-123, F-22516).
Air consumption for sizing air
Maximum 0.012 scfm (5.66 ml/s).
compressor
87
CP-8511-XXX Series
Air capacity for sizing air mains 550 scim (150.24 ml/s).
Air connections Male barbed fittings for flexible 1/4” O.D. pneumatic tubing.
Wiring connections Screw terminals for use with 16 to 22 AWG wire.
Specifications (Continued)
Accessories
Model No. Description
K-335 In-line air filter.
M-636 4 in. (102 mm) T and B wire tie.
P-610 35 mm DIN rail (1-3/8 W x 36 L x 3/10 H in).
Typical Applications
CP-8511
M M
B Branch
24 Vac 24H
50/60 Hz 24G 1 +20 V supply: 50 mA maximum
current output to drive other devices.
+IN
Typical 2 2 COM terminal is internally connected to 24G. When
Controller multiple CP-8511s or other devices are powered
COM by a common source, uniform wiring polarity must
+20 be maintained between all 24H and 24G terminals.
1 Check to ensure that the controller's COM terminal is not
connected to any other ground reference.
Optional
Control
Equipment
(Not Provided)
88
VM Series
Erie PopTop™
Modulating Spring-Return Valves
General Instructions
Application
The VM series Modulating Spring-Return PopTop valve
assemblies are designed for closed hydronic heating
and cooling systems. They are used to control fluid flow
in fan coil units, VAV reheat, unit ventilators, AHUs, and
radiant applications.
PopTop valve assemblies allow the actuator to be
easily snapped onto, or off from, the valve body with
one hand. The actuator can be mounted quickly and
easily after the valve body has been installed into the
system, without the need for linkages or calibration.
Both two-way and three-way valves are available, and
the two-way valves are provided in either normally
open or normally closed configurations.
Features
• Models available for hot water and chilled water
applications
• 300 psia proof static pressure forged brass valve
body
• PopTop feature allows easy installation and removal
of the actuator from the valve body
• Magnetic clutch extends motor and gear train life
• Manual operating lever (position indicator) facilitates
field setup
• Spring-return to normal position occurs when power Applicable Literature
to the actuator is lost for more than 2 seconds.
• EN-205 Water and Steam System Guidelines,
Three-Wire Floating “T” Type F-26080
• Compatible with virtually any 24 Vac, three-wire
signal
• Standard time-out circuitry extends motor life
Proportional “P” Type
• Compatible with virtually any 0 to 10 Vdc or
4 to 20 mA signal
• Jumper-selectable operating range and action
Piping Refer to the piping diagrams in Figure-1 and Figure-2 for two-way valves. For three-way
valves, refer to Figure-3 and Figure-4.
Caution:
• The valve should be used in a closed loop system.
• All valves must be piped so that the plug closes against the direction of flow. For
two-way valves, flow is from port B to port A. For normally closed three-way valves, B
is the service port and A is the bypass port. For normally open three-way valves, A is
the service port and B is the bypass port.
• Three-way valves must be piped in a mixing configuration, not diverting.
Caution:
• The plug inside the valve is made of a plastic material. It may be damaged by heat
conducted through the valve body if it remains seated against its port during soldering.
Be sure to manually open the valve before soldering, to prevent damage.
• If the manual operating lever does not move freely for manual positioning, the solenoid
may have latched during shipping. Do not force the lever. Instead, first unlatch the
solenoid by placing the red manual solenoid latch lever (on the side of the actuator) in
the “up” position, then placing the manual operating lever in the middle position.
2. With the valve in mid-position, latch the solenoid by placing the manual solenoid latch
lever in the “up” position. Then, detach the actuator by depressing the release button
and pulling it away from the valve body (Figure-6).
Caution:
• Be sure to remove the actuator from the valve body before soldering, to avoid damage
to the actuator and to ease the soldering process.
• Use only lead or tin based solder with a melting point below 600°F (315°C).
Release
Button
Stem
Pin
3. Thoroughly clean the ends of the water supply tubing for a minimum distance of 1 inch
from the end, so that a good joint can be made in the shortest time and without an
excessively large flame.
4. Solder the valve body in place, directing the flame tip away from the valve and taking
care not to overheat the joint area. When finished, cool the valve quickly with a wet
cloth.
ADJUSTMENTS
None.
MAINTENANCE
The valve requires no maintenance. Regular maintenance of the total system is
recommended to assure sustained, optimum performance.
FIELD REPAIR
None. Replace an inoperative valve, actuator, or assembly with a functional unit (see Part
Numbering System on page 3).
DIMENSIONAL DATA
Table-1 Valve Mounting Dimensions (Figure-9).
Dimensions in inches (mm)
Valve Size
A B (2-Way) C (3-Way)
1/2” Sweat 1-5/16 (33) 15/16 (23) 1-5/16 (33)
3/4” Sweat 1-3/8 (35) 15/16 (23) 1-11/16 (43)
1” Sweat 1-11/16 (43) 15/16 (23) 1-11/16 (43)
1-1/4” Sweat 1-7/8 (47) 1 (25) 1-13/16 (47)
1/2” NPT, BSP 1-3/8 (35) 15/16 (23) 1-5/16 (33)
3/4” NPT, BSP 1-11/16 (43) 15/16 (23) 1-7/16 (37)
1” NPT, BSP 1-7/8 (47) 1 (25) 1-11/16 (43)
1/2” SAE Flare 2-1/4 (57) 5/16 (8) 2-1/4 (57)
4-1/4
(107) 1/16 (1)
3-3/16
(81)
3-11/16
(94)
4-1/2
(114)
3-11/16
(94)
B
2-Way C
3-Way
A A 1-9/16 1-3/16
Dimensions shown are
in inches (mm) (39) (31)
2 (51)
All specifications are nominal and may change as design improvements are introduced. Invensys Building
Systems shall not be liable for damages resulting from misapplication or misuse of its products.
PopTop is a trademark of Invensys plc and its subsidiaries and affiliates.
U.S. Patents: 5,397,098; DES. 400,967; other U.S. and foreign patents pending