Circuit Setter Valve Balance Procedure: Technical Manual

TECHNICAL Manual
TEH-985A
Circuit Setter® Valve

Balance Procedure
This Manual is divided into four sections.
Page
1. Balance Procedure Evaluation .................................................................... 3
2. The Circuit Setter Valve (A Tool For Engineered Pre-Set Balance) ................ 7
3. Circuit Setter Pre-Set Balance Procedure .....................................................15
4. Head Loss Estimation Procedures .............................................................. 25
BALANCE PROCEDURE EVALUATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Historical Background .................................................................................... 3
Recent Background ......................................................................................... 3
Water Side Balance by Temperature Difference ............................................. 3
Water Side Temperature Difference Balancing Accuracy ................................ 4
Water and Air Side Balance Correlation: B&G View Points ............................. 4
Water Side Balance Procedures and Cost ....................................................... 5
A Workable Balance Procedure ...................................................................... 5
The Engineered Balance Procedure ................................................................ 6
2
CIRCUIT SETTER VALVE BALANCE PROCEDURES
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND RECENT BACKGROUND

Hydronic system water side specifications have always stated: During recent years Consultant designed Hydronic Systems
"the system shall be balanced". Until recently, however, there have changed from almost all hot water to dual temperature or
was no real attempt to enforce this specification. There was combination hot and chilled or to chilled only. A large measure
no truly applicable procedural balance outline - and a final of inherent safety factor was lost by this change - increasing
balance "report" was not called for. Thus, for many years, balance problem intensity.
Hydronic systems have been simply started without any real
attempt at water side balance and they have either initially Water side balance problems have also been increased by a
worked or they have not. simple system size increase; the number of circuits per system
have increased thus increasing short circuit possibilities.
Strong inherent safety factors* most often established
an operable system that initially worked in spite of many In sum and substance, water side balance trouble potential
obstacles including minimal or no actual mechanical increased while protective balance procedures and report
balance work. requirements remained virtually non-existent. The problem
area was recognized by AABC** who have provided
The lack of a balance report specification and the usual balance procedures and report requirements intended for total
repetitive satisfactory hot water "balance" experience system balance; the air side and its necessary complement, the
combined with competitive bidding practice forced most water side.
Mechanical Contractors to eliminate funding for water side
balance as a part of their bid. AABC balance procedures are presently stated to water
temperature difference measurement as the basis for water
The problem was and is, however, that balance and other side balance.
problems can appear. Some systems did not work and
Mechanical Contractors were occasionally driven to the brink WATER SIDE BALANCE BY TEMPERATURE
of bankruptcy because of: DIFFERENCE
1. A lack of balance- bid funds. Most balance procedure methods developed to date have been
2. No procedural direction in terms of defining and solving based on water temperature difference measurement. This is
the real problem - whether balance or one that only because of its seemingly logical relationship to terminal unit
appeared to be a balance problem. selection methods.
3. A lack of informational balance tools.
TO ILLUSTRATE:
The consultant selects cooling terminal equipment for a
B&G's efforts to help under these circumstances over a
calculated sensible and latent design load. When air handling
period of many years has helped develop background for the
coils are selected, the air side load is carried by design load
procedures later provided in this discussion.
CFM based on design entering and leaving air DB and WB
conditions. The coil size selected will be based on air side
*See article reprints - HYDRONIC SYSTEMS: Analysis
requirements projected against a specified inlet water
and Evaluation - ASHRAE Journal, October, November,
temperature and a proposed water temperature rise. The water
December, 1968 and January, February, March, 1969.
temperature rise is translated to GPM for the applied load. Coil
pressure drop can now be determined based on the proposed
design GPM.
**Associated Air Balance Council
3
Since the coil selection is based on a design water temperature Temperature difference balance procedures could provide
difference, a conceptually simple (but often false) balance actual flow rates varying from 60% to 175%* of design under
premise seems evident: circumstances of actual 50% load operation when the air flow is
estimated at +_10% accuracy with +_1/2º read-out accuracy applied
"Design GPM will be provided when design water to both the WB and water side thermometers.
temperature rise is set".
The order of flow balance accuracy finally attained will be greatly
This usual premise for water side temperature difference balance affected by the compound errors introduced and as affected by
is generally invalid because it overlooks a most basic engineering precision read-out capability and care.
relationship; load balance input must equal output.
Flow balance accuracy will also be affected by the inter-
The measured water side temperature rise across any specific dependence of balance points; each time any balance valve is
coil must be a function of water flow rate and the applied air side adjusted all other previously balanced coils will be affected. This
load at the time of measurement. Water side load will and must means that several round trips will have to be provided to obtain
equal air side load. The load balance relationship states that: a maximized accuracy (each balance point adjusted several times).
1. Setting of design water temperature rise will only provide Even so, the order of accuracy will and must be sharply limited
design GPM when air side loading exactly matches design; because of compounded error introduction.
a very improbable circumstance.
*The order of accuracy indicated is not intended to represent
2. Setting of design water temperature rise cannot establish
actual temperature difference procedure accuracy range. The
design GPM when air side loading differs from design; the
actual accuracy range cannot really be defined since this is a
usual circumstance.
function of both controllable and uncontrollable circumstance;
3. Water side balance by temperature difference measurement instrument calibration, read-out care, stratification, water side
can only be established by: thermal bulb resistance, system load stability, etc. Actual accuracy
a) Measurement of the true applied load at the time of may be a great deal less than illustrated and, at times, greater.
balance and determination of the ratio between applied
and design load. The inherent problem proposed by temperature difference water
b) Water temperature difference setting to a ratio adjusted side balance procedures is that minimal results are obtained
difference; if applied load is 50% design, a design at maximum cost. Results are minimal in terms of definable
10º ∆T would be "balance set" to 5º water temperature accuracy, while costs are high due to the necessity for several
difference for the design GPM balance point. visits to each coil and the labor time consumed for WB and water
temperature read-outs at each working visit.
WATER SIDE TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE
BALANCE ACCURACY WATER AND AIR SIDE BALANCE
CORRELATION; B&G VIEW POINT
While structured from a theoretically sound base, the load
correlated temperature difference balance method (3) has There is only one reason for the cost and effort required for
significant practical limitations. Meaningful results will only be a final water side balance report; the owner, consultant and
established by absolutely precise differential measurements. contractor want sure knowledge that each terminal heat transfer
Since the working differentials are of minor order, seemingly unit is provided with a flow rate equal to or greater than design
inconsequential instrumentation or read-out error may invalidate requirements. The system should not be expected to work "in
results because of compounding error introduction. spite of" flow rates that may be considerably less than design –
even though reported at full design. This condition may well occur
TO ILLUSTRATE: with any temperature difference water side balance procedure
because of inherent accuracy limitations and would be most
If the actual accuracy of thermometer read-out is +_ 1/2º, the especially true for temperature difference balance carried out
actual temperature rise could be either 4º or 6º– even though without an accurate air side load reference.
a 5º rise is observed and recorded. Actual flow rate could then
vary somewhere between 83 to 125% of design even though the Separate balancing of the air and water sides of the system will
applied load is precisely determined. increase the accuracy of the final balance report and reduce
system balance costs.
It is difficult, however, to estimate the actual applied
instantaneous air side load with precision. Actual air side flow
rates may only have an accuracy order of + _ 10% while the
necessary WB measurements can be affected by stratification and
by instrumentation and read-out error.
4
The air and water side balance functions can be separated because WATER SIDE BALANCE PROCEDURES
a properly- sized coil must have design load capability when: AND COST
1. Design CFM is provided at design entry DB and WB conditions. Workable Hydronic System water side balance can be achieved
2. Design GPM is provided at design entry temperature. by any of several different procedural methods. There is a great
difference, however, between a "workable" balance procedure
*Many systems operate "in spite of" low flow rates relative to as compared with an engineered procedure. The difference is
design. This is because of inherent safety factor. See Article basically stated by satisfactory results and cost; the comparative
reprints. cost of achieving balance as well as final comparative year-to-
year system operating cost. The engineered balance procedure
The need for great accuracy can be questioned, except when the will establish maximum performance at minimum cost in both
function of the final balance report is defined. The final balance instances.
report should be an analysis tool used to determine the final
adequacy of water side operation. Unless accurate, it is useless. A WORKABLE BALANCE PROCEDURE;
FLOW METER AND BALANCE VALVE
The water side balance procedure should be aimed at direct GPM Flow balance can be achieved in the water system by use of
determination. This balance approach can have high accuracy a flow meter and separate balance valve in each flow circuit.
because of elimination of the compounding errors introduced The approach is simple and direct; the circuit balance valve is
by temperature difference procedures. Direct GPM balance adjusted until design flow rate is read on the circuit flow meter.
procedure accuracy will only be effected by accuracy of the
water side balance instrumentation. It is well known, however, that each time any one circuit balance
valve is adjusted, flow rate through all other circuits will be
The separated water side balance procedure must reduce changed ... including those circuits which had been previously
balance costs because: adjusted. By the time the last circuit has been adjusted to
1. It provides a reliable pre-set balance procedure ... thus design flow, the first circuit must be re-adjusted. A large multiple
reducing field balance labor costs (see page 8). circuited system usually requires a minimum of three (3)
2. It eliminates the costly aggravation caused by the "round-trips"; with each flow measurement point needing several
"temperature difference" balance requirement that air side separate work periods for meter read-out and valve adjustment.
balance be provided before water side balance can take place. This means that direct field labor cost must be of very high order
and will be virtually impossible to accurately estimate.
3. It eliminates need for many of the thermometers and wells
now employed for temperature balance. These thermometers The initial high cost of separate flow meters and balance valves
and wells can establish a high summation cost and seem, will be reduced by the combination flow meter and balance
in actual practice, relatively useless ornaments when a real valve function of the B&G Circuit Setter Valve. The disadvantage
trouble problem appears. of a high and difficult to estimate direct labor cost will remain,
4. Finally to be considered are the relative degrees of complexity however, as with any read and set flow meter procedure.
and reliability involved in the two methods; temperature Pumps are often specified for more than actual required head.
difference vs. GPM water side balance. There are several reasons for this:
Temperature difference balance requires extraordinary capability 1. The design engineer does not have sure knowledge as to the
(air to water side integration). Even so, results may have specific chiller, terminals, etc., that will finally be used;
limited meaning because of the improbability of being able to his head selection must be based on highest pressure drop
determine exact system load conditions at the time of system possibilities even though lower pressure drop units may be
balance. Thus, data obtained may be so unreliable as to cause actually installed.
rather than prevent trouble. 2. Safety Factor; the engineer may want to provide excess head
to insure more than adequate terminal flow rate capability.*
Water side GPM balance procedures will be more accurate, by
comparison. They require only that field personnel have 3. The pump head estimation may be excessive because of use of
instrument read-out and reporting capability. This is true improper piping pressure drop data.*
because their work will be basically supervised by report analysis
aimed at trouble interception. System operating cost must and will be increased by "read and
set" procedure since excess head will be absorbed by the balance
valves.
*Safety factor head should not be applied to Hydronic Systems

and the systems should be designed to "clean" pipe pressure
drop data; Hydraulic Institute or B&G System Syzer. Reasons
are established in a B&G article reprint "How to Save Pumping
5 Power" HPAC, Jan.. 1968.
Use of the "read and set" procedure establishes that excess THE ENGINEERED BALANCE PROCEDURE;
head will be absorbed by the balance valve; terminal flow PRE-SET BALANCE
rate will not be "safety factor" increased. If a 100 ft. head
The pre-set balance procedure reduces balance cost because of
pump were used for an actual 50 ft. head need, the "read
a major reduction in field labor cost. A simple office supervised
and set" procedure must establish that 50 ft. excess head
analysis defines the degree of unbalance
will be absorbed by the system balance valves. System pump
existing in each circuit. Calibrated balance valves can then be
operating cost, in this case, would be to the order of twice
"pre- set" to balance requirements, even before the system is
than actually needed while trouble potential due to noise and
filled with water. Given a nominally accurate analysis and open
excess head would be increased.
non-plugged piping, the system will be in proportional balance
when the pump is started. Flow meter readings
The "read and set" balance procedure thus has the following
can then be taken at selected points for several reasons:
inherent disadvantages:
1. To verify flow rate and system balance.
1. Accurate field labor cost estimations are virtually
impossible. 2. To locate possible pipe blockage.
2. A high field labor cost is insured. 3. To assess the degree of over-pumping and to establish
parameters for possible reduction of pump head with a
3. A high year-to-year operating cost can result because of resultant decrease in noise and control trouble potential.
excess pump head. This will also establish lowest system pump operating costs.
4. A high potential for noise and control problems is
established by excess pump head. It will be noted that a major difference between the "read-out
and set" and the "pre-set" procedure is a transfer of cost from a
lengthy indeterminate field time requirement to a much shorter
time need in the more easily supervised office.
6
THE CIRCUIT SETTER VALVE
A TOOL FOR ENGINEERED PRE-SET BALANCE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
New Circuit Setter Plus Features ................................................................... 8
Circuit Setter Valve Characteristics ................................................................ 9
Circuit Setter Valve Manufacturing Procedure .............................................. 9
Circuit Setter Test and Calibration ................................................................ 10
Balance Instruments .................................................................................... 10
The "Flow Meter" Circuit Setter Calculator Application ................................. 11
The Circuit Setter "Pre-Set" Calculator ........................................................... 11
Velocity Head Recovery & Circuit Setter Valve .............................................. 12
Hydronic Applications of Circuit Setter ......................................................... 13
Typical Circuit Setter Specifications .............................................................. 14
7
NEW CIRCUIT SETTER PLUS

The new CIRCUIT SETTER PLUS calibrated balance valve is
designed to pre-set proportional system balance. This system
balance method, developed by B&G, assures optimum system
flow balance at minimum pump operating horsepower.
Terminal unit balance valves can be simply pre-set using B&G
Circuit Setter Calculator and the system piping plan. With
this procedure, system balance and start-up time is reduced
dramatically. Pump impeller trim after system balance will
reduce system horsepower and operating costs to minimum
levels.
CIRCUIT SETTER PLUS OFFERS

SIGNIFICANT BENEFITS
(Calibrated Balance Valves)
1. Proportional Balance Capability

Knowing terminal unit pressure drops and using only the
piping plan and B&G Calculators, the required setting of
each Circuit Setter Plus calibrated balance valve can be easily
determined. 1
2. Pre-Set Balance
Each valve can be pre-set to the required degree opening for
proper balance prior to system startup.
3. Memory Stop
Valve setting can be locked in place. Valve can be closed for
service and returned to set position without readjustment.
4. Drain/Purge Port
Valves are provided with a tapped and plugged drain
connection. Optional drain valves are available as illustrated.
5. Valved Readout Ports 2

Built-in check valves facilitate taking gauge readings. Each
Circuit Setter Plus calibrated balance valve is a precision flow
meter as well as balance device.
8
CIRCUIT SETTER VALVE CHARACTERISTICS Valves are furnished with a calibrated nameplate and memory
stop indicator which permits the valve to be pre-set to a fixed
The B&G Circuit Setter Plus calibrated balance valve has open position and then closed for service without disturbing
been designed, manufactured and tested to provide the cost the valve setting.
saving advantages of pre-set proportional balance. Such
precision is built into the B&G Circuit Setter Valve
which is a combination:
1.Precisely calibrated pre-settable balance valve.

2. Precisely calibrated variable orifice flow meter.
3. Drip-tight service valve.
1/2" – 1"
PRE-SET PROPORTIONAL POSITIVE SHUT-OFF SWEAT
CONNECTIONS
BALANCE CAPABILITY CONSTRUCTION
INTEGRAL VALVED READ-OUT PORTS
MEMORY STOP
INDICATOR Figure 2
Valve Internal Construction
CIRCUIT SETTER VALVE

NPT/SWEAT MANUFACTURING PROCEDURE
CONNECTIONS
The pre-set system balance will not be possible unless
each valve of a particular line size has a predictable and
reproducible defined calibrated characteristic. The precise
ADJUSTMENT DIAL orifice setting assures that all valves of a specific size will have
DRAIN/PURGE CONNECTION similar pressure drop characteristics.
CALIBRATED NAMEPLATE
Figure 1
Circuit Setter Valve Characteristics
Circuit Setter precision is established by its method of
construction. The valve will maintain settings and has a
two-stage pressure reduction which allows greater pressure
drops without noise. The Circuit Setter Balance Valve is a
precision manufactured, dual purpose balancing instrument,
calibrated for use as a pre-settable balance valve and as
an adjustable flow meter (Figure 1). Circuit Setter Balance
Valves are equipped with integral upstream and downstream
pressure taps which are fitted with readout valves. These
contain an integral check valve designed to protect the user
from being wetted when setting up to use the Circuit Setter
Balance Valve as a flow meter.
9
Quality manufacturing and materials provide leak-tight

SCALE
construction and reproducible performance in every valve. MODEL
The precision machined brass ball is backed up with 20% RANGE* INCREMENTS ACCURACY**
NO.
glass and carbon filled (TFE) seat rings. Valve seats do not FEET OF WATER ±%
distort with extended use. Permanent valve accuracy is RO-2 0-100 0.5 .5
assured.
RO-3 0-16
1.0 1.0
CIRCUIT SETTER TEST & CALIBRATION RO-4 0-35
0-5 FT @ 1 .25 FT
0-25
RO-5* 5-25 FT @ 1.0 FT 3.0
0-0.7 kg/cm 0.05 kg/cm
Table 1
Table 1 shows the accuracy of the various

RO Meters.
2. Circuit Setter Balance Valve Calculator

The Circuit Setter Calculator is the result of rigorous
laboratory tests.
SIDE 1 Plots actual system imposed head loss versus

Figure 3
flow for various valve settings. This scale is used for pre-set
Circuit Setter Test & Calibration balance determinations
All Circuit Setter Plus Balance Valves are tested and calibrated SIDE 2 Is used when taking gauge readings across the
by means of a weigh scale test procedure. Flow rates and Circuit Setter Balance Valve using the valve as a flow meter.
differential pressure readings are taken for all nameplate
settings for all valve sizes. Two separate pressure drop
readings are taken for each incremental setting. The pressure
drop reading across the integral readout valve differs from
the pressure drop readings up and downstream because of
velocity head recovery. This difference is of sufficient order to
require two separate Circuit Setter calibration scales.
BALANCE INSTRUMENTS
1. Readout Kits
Differential pressure meters feature full over-range protection,
have readout probes, filters, covering case and Circuit Setter
Calculator. They may also be used to check differential
pressure across other system components including B&G
pumps, suction diffusers, strainers, coils, etc.
Figure 4 Figure 5
Readout Kits Circuit Setter Balance Valve Calculator
10
THE FLOW METER CIRCUIT SETTER Given an installed valve size, actual flow rate can be
CALCULATOR APPLICATION determined by noting the valve setting and the"readout"
differential head loss across the valve pressure tap ports.
AS AN EXAMPLE:
A 1-1/4" valve is set at 19°, differential gauge pressure is
at 10'. What is the flow rate?
The "Flow Meter" side (Side 2) of the Calculator is used

(Figure 8.). The Calculator is adjusted to align 19° at 1-1/4"
valve size. The actual flow rate of 15 GPM is read opposite
10' gauge reading pressure differential.
Flow Meter accuracy of the Circuit Setter Valve is high. This has
Figure 6 been proven in the laboratory weigh scale flow tests in the
Variable Orifice Flow Meter following manner:
The Circuit Setter Valve can be used as an accurate variable Valve flow rate is predicted by valve setting and differential
orifice flow meter. When so used, a pressure differential head as applied to the Circuit Setter Calculator. The predicted
meter is applied directly across the built-in Circuit Setter flow rate is then compared to an actual flow rate as proven by
Valve pressure tap ports - the same pressure tap ports used in the weigh scale flow test.
the laboratory calibration tests.
Because of the precision manufacturing and testing
techniques, deviation from predicted flow rate is established
1 1/4" VALVE @ 19º basically by human error in reading differential head and
degree setting.
It will be noted that the Circuit Setter Valve can be used as

an adjustable combination flow meter and balance valve to
achieve any required design flow rate.
More usually, however, the flow meter characteristics of the

Circuit Setter Valve will be used for checking actual system
flow rates after proportional system flow balance has been
established by Circuit Setter Valve pre-setting.
THE CIRCUIT SETTER

"PRE-SET" CALCULATOR
Side two (2) of the Circuit Setter Calculator should not be
used for pre-setting of Circuit Setter Valves. This is because the
readout "Flow Meter" pressure differential is greater than the
actual total valve pressure drop since velocity head recovery is
not accounted for.
Actual total pressure drop will be to the order of .7 to .9 of

the valve mounted gauge-read pressure drop; the degree of
variation being basically a function of valve orifice area to pipe
size area ratios as determined by valve setting.
10' HD. = 15 GPM
Figure 7
Circuit Setter "Flow Meter"
Calibration With Calculator
11
VELOCITY HEAD RECOVERY AND CIRCUIT

SETTER VALVE 8' HD @ 4 GPM
Static pressure as read by a gauge is influenced by water
velocity. Static pressure is reduced as water velocity increases.
The converse is also true. The velocity - head inter-relationship
is defined by the term:
Velocity Head = V 2
2g
V – Velocity Ft. /Sec.

g – Gravitational Constant, 32.2 Ft./Sec.2
These differences are significant enough to require two

different sets of pressure drop data to be shown on the Circuit
Setter Balance Valve Calculator.
Changes in velocity through the Circuit Setter Valve can be

pictured as in Figure 9.
3/4" VALVE @ 10'
Figure 9
Circuit Setter"Pre-Set" Calibration With Calculator:
Do Not Use For "Flow Meter" Readout
Adjust Side 1 ("Pre-Set" side) of the Circuit Setter Calculator,

Figure 8 setting 8' or 8 ft. head loss opposite 4 GPM. Read settings for
various valve sizes in lower window. The valve setting index
Velocity Head Recovery And Circuit
shows that requirements will be met by:
Setter Valve
1. CB 3/4" Valve 10°
Circuit Setter pre-set calibration data must be based on actual
2. CB 3/4" S Valve 20°
total pressure drop and is significantly different from the Flow
3. CB 1" Valve 26°
Meter calibration data.
The Circuit Setter Valve would generally be selected as line
As an example, concerning the use of pre-set calibration data,
size. Assuming that circuit pipe size is 3/4", the CB 3/4" Valve
a system balance calculation has defined that a particular
set at 10° would be used.
circuit requires an additional 8' or 8 ft. pressure drop to set it
in balance with the overall piping system. The circuit flow rate
requirement is 4 GPM. Select a Circuit Setter Valve for 8' or
8 ft. at 4 GPM and determine its pre-set setting.
12
FOR HYDRONIC APPLICATIONS

When terminal equipment and control valves are piped as as in Figure 3. When upper floor terminal unit has higher
illustrated (Figures 1 and 2), the combined use of a service pressure drop than lower floor terminals, a single balance
valve and the Circuit Setter Plus calibrated balance valve valve can be installed (Figure 4) .
permits complete isolation of the terminal unit and control
valve. Drain connection on Circuit Setter balance valve should Other alternative balance methods can be designed to fit
be toward terminal unit. specific piping and terminal unit pressure drop conditions.
Individual terminal units should be piped as detailed in
Two alternative examples of vertically fed reverse return circuits Figures 1 and 2.
are shown in Figures 3 and 4. When terminal units have
unequal pressure drops, balance valves should be installed
SERVICE
VALVE
SERVICE
VALVE
* Piping arrangements with 3-Way control valves shown within this technical manual are provided by Bell & Gossett as reference information of existing
systems only. As an active participating member of ASHRAE, it is Bell & Gossett’s recommendation that engineers and system designers consult with the
most current ASHRAE Standards for design guidance on Variable Flow Systems or Constant Flow Systems as indicated in ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Section 6.5.4.
13
TYPICAL SPECIFICATION
Furnish and install as shown on plans and with manufacturers
recommendations Model CB calibrated balance valves.
Pre-Set Balance Feature: Valves to be designed to allow

installing contractor to pre-set balance points for proportional
system balance prior to system start-up in accordance with
pre-set balance schedule.
Valve Design and Construction: All valves 1/2" to 3" pipe

size to be of bronze body /brass ball construction with glass
and carbon filled TFE seat rings. Valves to have differential
pressure readout ports across valve seat area. Readout ports
to be fitted with internal EPT inserts and check valves. Valve
bodies to have 1/4" NPT tapped drain /purge port. Valves
to have memory stop feature to allow valve to be closed for
service and then re-opened to set point without disturbing
balance position. All valves to have calibrated nameplates
to assure specific valve settings. Valves to be leak-tight at full
rated working pressure.
Valves 4" pipe size to be of cast iron body / brass vane

construction with differential pressure readout ports and
valves as above.
Design Pressure /Temperature:

A. 1/2" – 3" NPT connections 300 psig at 250ºF
B. 1/2" – 1" Sweat connections 200 psig at 250ºF
C. 4" flanged connections 125 psig at 250ºF
NOTE: 4" flanged Circuit Setter not designed for

drip-tight shut-off.
14
CIRCUIT SETTER PRE-SET BALANCE PROCEDURE
Page
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Step 1 - Identify Pipe Sections and Pipe Section Flow Rates ....................................... 17
Step 2 - Determine Estimate Pipe Section Head Loss By Tabulated Procedure............ 18
Step 3 - Using Piping Plan as "Road Map", Find Highest Head Loss Circuit................ 19
Step 3a - Find Balance Governing Head Loss .............................................................. 21
Step 4 - Determine "Pre-Set" Circuit Head Loss Requirement..................................... 22
Step 4a - Circuit Setter Valve Settings on Plan............................................................. 23
Step 5 - Check Required Pump Head and Compare with Specified............................ 24
Step 5a - Check Anticipated Terminal Flow Rate After Pump Start .............................. 24
15
Figure 1 is representative of a "to scale"

piping layout and equipment schedule as
provided by a consultant's office. Figure 1
will be used as an example to illustrate
pre-set balance procedure.
TERMINAL UNIT SCHEDULE

Terminal Mfg. MBH GPM
Ft. Hd. Control
Unit & No. Capacity Flow
T-1 – – 50 6' 3-Way
T-2 – – 70 12' 2-Way
T-3 – – 10 3' 2-Way
T-4 – – 80 4' F&B
PUMP SCHEDULE
Figure 1*
Example Balance Problem Pump No. Mfg. No. GPM Ft. Hd. HP
P-1 B&G 210 80
NOTES:
Indicates Gate Valve CONTROL VALVE SCHEDULE

Valve No. Mfg. Size Type Cv*
Indicates Non-Calibrated Clock
V-1 – 2-1/2" 3-Way 24
V-2 – 2-1/2" 2-Way 24
CS Indicates Line Sized Circuit Setter
V-3 – 1-1/4" 2-Way 6.7
V-4 – 4" 3-Way 185
*Cv often not shown, but generalized head loss limitation is stated
in specification
16
PIPE SECTION FLOW DETERMINATION

Terminals T-1 (50 GPM) and T-2 (70 GPM) draw their required
flow from the tee located at "D". Since (50 + 70) or 120 GPM
leaves "D", 120 GPM must enter through pipe section B- D.
The tee located at "B" must provide 120 GPM to B-D plus
10 GPM to T-2; section A-B must then flow 130 GPM to "B". etc.
STEP 1
IDENTIFY PIPE SECTIONS AND PIPE
SECTION FLOW RATES
Pipe sections are letter identified from "tee to tee " as shown
on Figure 2.
Pipe section flow rates are derived from terminal unit

flow rate needs and on the simple premise that water flow
into a tee equals water flow away from the tee. The procedure
is shown on Figure 2.
The method* used for determining terminal unit flow rate

need should be established by the consulting firm; either in
the specifications or by confirmation letter to those concerned
with balance. In this case, a "bid accepted" terminal unit
schedule will be used.
It will be noted that the schedule shown on the plan

illustrates the terminals used as a basis for design; pipe
sizing, etc .... while the specification may state alternative
units which are "bid acceptable".
* 3" /130 Means: Should another manufacturer's terminal units be

3" Piple @ 130 GPM for Pipe Section G-H accepted, the terminal unit schedule shown on
the plans should be disregarded and replaced by a
Figure 2* schedule illustrating the terminals that will actually
be used.
Pipe Sizing Identification/Flow Rate
For this example, the terminal units schedule on the plans are
also "bid accepted" and form the basis for the pipe section
Bid Section flow rates shown on Figure 2.
*Other methods; GPM by temperature difference and GPM by
Terminal Mfg. MBH GPM unit size are shown in Examples 2 & 3.
Ft. Hd.
T-1 – – 50 –
T-2 – – 70 –
T-3 – – 10 –
T-4 – – 80 –
17
STEP 2
DETERMINE ESTIMATE PIPE
SECTION HEAD LOSS BY TABULATED
PROCEDURE AND SHOW ON PLAN
The procedure used for determining pipe section loss
(ft. Hd.) has been simplified by Bell & Gossett through
use of Tables and Charts. (See Section 2; Head Loss
Estimation).
In order to establish basic pre-set balance procedure

most quickly, it will be assumed that pipe section
head loss have been estimated* by simple
procedures later shown and that these sectional head
losses appear as below:
FLOW ESTIMATED
PIPE SECTION
RATE HEAD LOSS*
A B 130 1. 9'
B D l20 2.2'
D F 50 1.2'
C E 10 1.0'
E G 80 1.1'
G H 130 6.6'
F G (T 1) 50 16.9'
D E (T 2) 70 34.9'
B C (T 3) 10 14.4'
A H (T 4) 80 6.6'
H A (Equip. Room) 210 10.8'
These estimated head losses are shown on the

piping plan.
* 3" /130 *Pipe section head loss estimation for this

G-H /6.6' Means: particular example is shown in Section 2;
3" Pile @ 130 GPM with 6.6' Hd. Head Loss Estimation; Example 1.
Loss for Pipe Section G-H
Figure 3*
Pipe Section Head Loss Shown On Plan
18
STEP 3
USING PIPING PLAN AS "ROAD MAP",
FIND HIGHEST HEAD LOSS CIRCUIT
Since the equipment room piping (H-A) flows all the
water delivered to the terminal circuits, it is not part of
the proportional balance problem. The considerations
pertaining to proportional balance start at the first
junction take-off from the supply main (in Figure 4 at
A) and end at the last circuit return to the return
main (in Figure 4 at H).
The pipe plan is now used as a road map and all

possible flow paths from A to H through the various
terminal units are determined. Pipe section head loss
for each possible circuit flow path are added.
The circuit flow path that has the highest head loss
is found by comparison. For this example, the circuit
flow path from A--H through terminal T-2 has the
highest head loss as shown in the comparison below:
CIRCUIT A H Thru T-1 A H Thru T-2 A H Thru T-4

Pipe Head Pipe Head Head Pipe Head
Section Loss Section Loss Loss Section Loss
A-B 1. 9' A-B 1. 9' A-B A-H (T4) 6. 6'
B-D 2. 2' B-D 2,2' B-C (T3)
D-F 1.2' D-E (T2) 34.9' C-E
F-G 16.9' E-G 1.1' E-G
G-H 6.6' G-H 6.6' G-H
Figure 4* Total Required
28.8' 45.7' 25.0 6. 6'
Highest Head Loss Circuit, A-H Through T-2 @ 45. 7' Circuit Hd. Loss
Highest Hd. Loss 45.7'
19
STEP 2
READ 1.7' HEAD LOSS OPPOSITE 70 GPM FLOW RATE
STEP 1
SET RULE (SIDE 1) TO OPEN (0°)
SETTING FOR 2 1/2" VALVE
Figure 5
Find Open Circuit Setter Valve Head Loss
20
STEP 3a The open circuit setter valve is line-sized at 2-1/2" and flows
FIND BALANCE GOVERNING HEAD LOSS; 70 GPM. Figure 5 shows that for this condition, the circuit
ADD OPEN CIRCUIT SETTER HEAD LOSS TO setter valve will cause 1. 7' head loss.
HIGH HEAD LOSS CIRCUIT
Balance governing head loss now becomes:
The highest head loss circuit (A-H thru T 2) includes an open
circuit setter valve (CS-2) in pipe section D-E. The head loss of HIGHEST CIRCUIT HEAD LOSS (A-H thru T1) = 45.7'
this valve must be added to its circuit head loss to establish OPEN 2-1/2" CIRCUIT SETTER @ 70 GPM = 1. 7'
the balance governing head loss.
TOTAL BALANCE GOVERNING HEAD LOSS = 47.4'
The open circuit setter valve is contained in pipe section D-E;
which is abstracted from Figure 4 as below:
Figure 5a
Section D-E Abstracted From Figure 4.
STEP 1
SET FOR SELECTION CONDITIONS; 50 GPM @ 18.6' FOR CS-1
STEP 2
READ POSSIBLE SELECTIONS FOR Figure 6
CONDITIONS 50 GPM 18.6' Selection For CS-1; 2-1/2" Line-Sized
1 1/2" @ 14° Circuit Setter @ 36 Used
2" @ 24°
21/2" @ 36° 21
3" @ 47°
STEP 4
DETERMINE "PRE-SET" CIRCUIT HEAD
LOSS REQUIREMENT AND CIRCUIT SETTER
SETTING EQUIVALENT
The piping layout shown in Figure 4 will be set in proportional
flow balance when each separate flow-circuit path has equal
head loss at its design flow rate.
In order to achieve this objective, circuit setter valves will be

"pre-set" for the head loss difference between that needed for
the "balance governing" circuit and the "total required") head
loss for all other circuits. This can be tabulated as below:
CIRCUIT A-H thru T1 A-H thru T2 A-H thru T3 A-H thru T4

"Balance Governing"
47.4' 47.4' 47.4' 47.4'
Head Loss
Total Required Head
-28.8' - 45. 7' -25.0 - 6. 6'
Loss / Circuit
Circuit Head Loss
18.6' 1.7' 22.4' 40.8'
Difference
Circuit Setter Flow 50 GPM 70 GPM 10 GPM 80 GPM
Circuit Setter No. CS-1 CS-2 CS-3 CS-4
Circuit Setter Pre-set 18.6' @ 50 GPM 1. 7' @ 70 GPM 22.4' @ 10 GPM 40.8' @ 80 GPM
The circuit setter valves are selected for the conditions shown
in the last tabulated line. The procedure for selection is shown
in Figure 6 for CS-1.
While circuit setter valves will often be selected smaller than

line-size, for this example a line-size selection is made as
follows:
CIRCUIT
CS-1 CS-3 CS-3 CS-4
SETTER NO.
VALVE SIZE 2-1/2" 2-1/2" 1-1/4" 3"
SETTING 36° Open (O) 39º 45º
22
*3"/130/G-H/6. 6' Means: 3" Pipe, 130 GPM, G-H Head Loss = 6. 6'
**50/21. 1'/2-1/2"/36°CS-1. .. Means: 50 GPM @ 21. 1 Ft. Hd., 2-1/2"

Circuit Setter @ 36° for CS-1
Figure 7*
Final Pipe Layout Plan Showing Circuit
Actual Terminal Flow
Setter Settings For Proportional Flow Balance
System Flow Actual % Flow
T-1 T-2 T-3 T-4
Condition Pump Flow Design
STEP 4a DESIGN 210 100 50 70 10 80
SHOW CIRCUIT SETTER VALVE SETTINGS Over Design 231 110 55 77 11 88
ON PLAN Over Design 252 120 60 84 12 96
The circuit setter valve settings derived from Step 4 are shown Under Design 199 95 47.5 66.5 9.5 75.5
on the plan as illustrated in Figure 7.
The usual system pump application results in over-design system
When the circuit setter valves have been "set" as per plan flow rate and therefore, is more than required terminal unit flow
and the system started, each terminal unit will receive its rate. This circumstance will be true so long as usual conditions apply;
proportionate share of the flow rate provided by the pump specified pump head greater than required pump head.
to the system.
23
STEP 5
CHECK REQUIRED PUMP HEAD AND

COMPARE WITH SPECIFIED
The required system head loss for this example will be
composed of two parts:
1. Head loss caused by design flow rate from "A" through
the balanced terminal circuits to "H". This head loss is
the balance governing circuit head loss of 47.4'.
(See Step 3a).
2. Head loss caused by design flow from "H" through the
equipment room to "A". This head loss is shown in
Step 2 as pipe section (H-A) head loss of 10.8'.
The required pump head will then be 47.4' plus 10.8' =

58.2'.
Since the specified pump head (80') is greater than

required head (58. 2') terminal flow rates can be expected
to be greater than required.
Had the specified pump head been less than required,

terminal unit flow rates would be less than required.
This circumstance should be brought to the Consultant's
attention.
STEP 5a
Chart 1 CHECK ANTICIPATED TERMINAL FLOW
RATE AFTER PUMP START
While not absolutely necessary, it will be useful to estimate
The anticipated actual flow rates for example #1 can be
the effect of a difference between specified and required
illustrated as below:
pump heads on total system and terminal unit flow rates.
Chart #1 can be used for this purpose and illustrates that
Antlcipated if the specified head of 80 ft. is applied to the example
Design Flow Approximate Flow system (required head = 58.2'), the system flow rate will
(115% Design) be to the order of 115% of design.
Pump (P-1) 210 242
T-1 50 57.5 This means that each terminal will receive about 115% of
Terminal
its design flow. Terminal T-1 has a design requirement of

Circuits
T-2 70 80.5
T-3 10 11.5 50 GPM; it will actually receive the order of 50 x 1.15 or
T-4 80 92 57.5 GPM as shown in the table under Chart #1.
24
HEAD LOSS ESTIMATION PROCEDURES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Head Loss Estimation Procedures................................................................. 26
Estimating Distribution Pipe Section Head Loss........................................... 27
Table 1.......................................................................................................... 28
Table 2........................................................................................................... 29
Terminal Sub-Circuit Head Loss Estimation................................................... 31
Control Valve Head Loss, Cv Procedure......................................................... 32
Terminal Unit Head Loss Notes..................................................................... 33
Equipment Room Head Loss........................................................................ 35
25

Pre-set balance procedures require that each pipe section
be evaluated in terms of its head loss. For purposes of
evaluation, system piping sections can be broken into
three types:
1. Distribution Pipe Sections

The distribution pipe sections are the supply and return
pipe sections between the equipment room and the
terminal unit pipe circuits. Distribution pipe sections are
exemplified in Figure 1, by pipe sections A-B, B-D, D-F, C-E,
E-G and G-H. Distribution pipe sections usually contain
only pipe length, elbows and tees.
2. Terminal Sub-Circuit Pipe Section

The "sub-circuit" contains the terminal unit and its control
valve (if used) together with shut-off valves, etc. and is
exemplified in Figure 1 by pipe sections B-C (thru T3), D-E
(Thru T 2) , F-G (thru T1 and A-H (thru T4).
3. Equipment Room Pipe Section

The equipment room pipe section flows total system flow
rate and is exemplified in Figure Figure 1 by section H-A
(thru boiler, etc.). Equipment room pipe section head loss
is not necessary for proportional pre-set balance, but is
useful for final flow estimation.
* 3" /130 Means:

3" Piple @ 130 GPM for Pipe Section G-H
Figure 1*
Example Balance Problem
Bid Section
Ft. Hd.
T-1 – – 50 –
T-2 – – 70 –
T-3 – – 10 –
T-4 – – 80 –
26
ESTIMATING DISTRIBUTION PIPE SECTION

HEAD LOSS
Actual estimation of pipe section head loss is best explained
by reference to the examples stated for use with the head loss
estimation table (Table 1 - page 28). The examples used are
for pipe sections A-B and -D in Figure 2.
Table 1 states the relationships between pipe size, pipe flow

and piping head loss as affected by total equivalent pipe
length (TEL). Since pipe size and flow rate is known, the
balance contractor need only establish TEL to determine pipe
section head loss.
TEL will be the sum of measured (scaled) pipe length plus the
equivalent fitting length as shown on Table 2, page 29.
Reference to the examples stated for the head estimation

tables illustrates such procedural simplicity that tabulation
forms (though shown in worksheet 1 are not needed. Head
loss results can be directly entered on the plans since only
a simple addition (measured plus fitting equivalent length)
permits entry into Table 1.
NOTES CONCERNING DISTRIBUTION PIPE

SECTION HEAD LOSS
Distribution piping will commonly occur as between two
tees; see section B-D (Figure 2). When estimating distribution
* 3" /130 Means: piping fitting equivalent length, however, only one tee is used
3" Piple @ 130 GPM for Pipe Section G-H for estimation (as at "B" in pipe section B-D). This is because
the tee at "D" will be included in the evaluation for pipe
Figure 2* section D-F.
Distribution Pipe Sections Represented by
Sections A-B, B-D, D-F, C-E, E-G and G-H
Distribution Measured Distribution Pipe Section Head Loss Tabulation Form

Pipe Section Length
Pipe Section A-B B-D D-F C-E E-G G-H
A-B 30'
B-D 40' Flow Rate 130 120 50 10 80 130
D-F 42' Pipe Size 3" 3" 2 1/2" 1 1/4" 3" 3"
C-E 50' Measured Length 30' 40' 42' 50' 60' 132'
E-G 60'
E1 or Thru Tee 3/24' 3/18' 1/3/'2' 1/8' 4/32'
Equivalent Length
G-H 132'
Side Tee 1/16'
(Table 2)
Valve
Other
* Piping arrangements with 3-Way control valves
shown within this technical manual are provided by Other
Bell & Gossett as reference information of existing
systems only. As an active participating member of Total Equivalent
46' 64' 60' 53'/2' 68' 164'
ASHRAE, it is Bell & Gossett’s recommendation that Length
engineers and system designers consult with the
most current ASHRAE Standards for design guidance Pipe & Fitting Head
19' 22' 12' 1.0' 1.1' 6.6'
on Variable Flow Systems or Constant Flow Systems Loss (Table 1)
as indicated in ASHRAE Standard 90.1 Section 6.5.4.
WORKSHEET 1
27
Table 1
28
Example 1 Diagram Example 2 Diagram
*Applies to Side Branch Flow
Table 2
Fitting Equivalent Length Table
EXAMPLE 2:
Estimate friction loss from B to D given:
EXAMPLE 1: (1) Pipe Size is 3"
Estimate friction loss from A to B given the following: (2) Flow is 120 GPM
(1) Pipe Size is 3". (3) Measured Length = 40'
(2) Flow is 130 GPM. (4) Pipe Section Includes Screwed Fittings as:
(3) Measured length (plan) = 30' 2 Els + 1 Flow Thru Tee
(4) Tee @ "A" is screwed and 3" side branch size;
flow is side branch. SOLUTION:
(1) Determine Fitting Equivalent Length from Table 2,
SOLUTION: each fitting = 8' E. L.; Fitting E. L. 3 x 8 = 24'
(1) Determine Fitting Equivalent Length (2) Determine B-D Total Equivalent Length:
From TabIe 2 , 3" screwed tee, side branch flow TEL = 40' + 24' = 64'
equivalent length = 16'. Do not include equivalent (3) Determine Friction Loss by use of Table 1.
length for fitting @ "B". Enter @ 3" to 120 GPM (122) upward, to 64'
(2) Determine Total Equivalent Length (TEL) TEL (64.6); Read 2. 2' Friction Loss
TEL = Measured Length + Fitting E. L. 30' + 60'=46' TEL
(3) Determine Friction Loss By Use of Table 1
Enter Table 1 @ 3" I. P. S. Proceed to 130 GPM or
EXAMPLE 3:
next greater (132). Proceed upward to TEL equal
Determine head loss for 3" pipe, 130 GPM when TEL =164'
to or greater than 46' (47.5'). Read 1.9' fricton loss
(Section G-H, Example Problem).
(See Table 1).
SOLUTION:
Enter Table 1 @ 3" pipe, proceed to 130 GPM (132), proceeding
upward it is found that 164' is not shown on Table.
164' = 100' + 64' SO:
Head Loss @ 100' = 4. 0'
Head Loss @ 64' (65) =2. 6'
TOTAL HEAD LOSS = 6.6'
29
Bid Section
Ft. Hd.
T-1 – – 50 5'
T-2 – – 70 12'
T-3 – – 10 3'
T-4 – – 80 4'
VALVE Cv SCHEDULE
Valve No. Cv GPM
V1 24 50
V2 24 70
V3 4.8 10
V4 185 210
* 3" /130 Means:

3" Piple @ 130 GPM for Pipe Section G-H
Figure 3*
Terminal Or Sub-Circuit Pipe Sections Represented
By Pipe Sections F-G (Thru T1) D-E (Thru T2),
B-C (Thru T3) And A-H (Thru T4)
30
Distribution Pipe Section Head Loss Tabulation Form

Pipe Section A-B B-D D-F C-E E-G G-H F-G D-E B-C A-H
Flow Rate 130 120 50 10 80 130 50 70 10 80
Pipe Size 3" 3" 2 1/2" 1 1/4" 3" 3" 2 1/2" 2 1/2" 1 1/4" 3"
Measured Length 30' 40' 42' 50' 60' 132' 50' 50' 64' 110'
Equivalent Length
E1 or Thru Tee 3/24' 3/18' 1/3/'2' 1/8' 4/32' 1/18' 1/3'/2' 4/32'
(Table 2)
Side Tee 1/16' 2/24' 2/24' 1/7' 1/6'
Valve 1/2' 1/2' 1/1' 1/2-1/2'

Other
Total Equivalent 160
46' 64' 60' 53'/2' 68' 164' 94' 76' 75 1/2'
Length 1/2'
Pipe & Fitting Head
1.9' 2.2' 1.2' 1.0' 1.1' 6.6' 1.9' 2.9' 1.4' 2.6'
Loss (Table 1)
Unit No. T-1 T-2 T-3 T-4
Terminal Head
5' 12' 3' 4'
Loss
Cv 24/ 24/ 48/ ––
Control
Valve Head
10' 20' 10' ––
Loss
Total Head Loss with
16.9' 34.9' 14.4' 6.6'
Control Valve
Worksheet 2
TERMINAL SUB-CIRCUIT HEAD LOSS Pipe and fitting head loss procedures for the terminal circuit
ESTIMATION are exactly the same as already described for the distribution
The terminal sub-circuits (Figure 3, page 30) differ from the pipe sections (see page 24).
distribution piping circuits in that they contain terminal units
and fittings. Head loss estiInation is therefore broken into Control valve head loss determination procedures are based
three parts: on "Cv "description of valve capacity. While the procedure
is simple, it does require separate discussion. Cv head loss
1. Pipe and Fitting Head Loss procedures are described on the next pages (pages 32-33).
2. Control Valve Head Loss
3. Terminal Unit Head Loss Terminal unit head losses are usually based on "Bid Selected"
terminal unit manufacturer's data. Notes concerning terminal
The total terminal or sub-circuit head loss is the summation of unit head loss determinates are described on the following
the head losses described as illustrated in the calculation sheet pages.
under Worksheet 2.
31
CONTROL VALVE HEAD LOSS; Cv PROCEDURE Scale 5 on the B&G System Syzer has been particularly arranged
The temperature control contractor will provide valve Cv for Cv head loss evaluation. To illustrate its use, the example
descriptions to the balance contractor for each control valve in problem will be used. The problem states that the control valves
the piping system. used for T1 and T2 have a Cv = 24. Flow rates are 50 GPM
through T1 and 70 GPM through T2.
The terminal Cv describes the valve flow-head loss relationship
and means the valve flow rate that is required to cause 1 PSI or For this circumstance, the Cv mark on Scale 5 is set opposite 2
2. 3 ft. head loss across the valve. Since head loss varies as the 4 GPM. Valve head loss is read opposite the specified flow rate
square of the flow change, the Cv valve can be used as the base as below in Figure 4.
for estimating head loss for other flow rates.
READ 20' HEAD LOSS @ 70 GPM

Cv=24
SET Cv OPPOSITE 24 GPM
READ 10' HEAD LOSS @ 50 GPM
Figure 4
32
TERMINAL UNIT HEAD LOSS NOTES Scale 5 of the B&G System Syzer can be used again. To
illustrate, the terminal manufacturer states that a particular
The plans will generally contain "scheduled" terminal
unit has 6' head loss at 4 GPM. Required flow rate is only
equipment capacity, flow rate and head loss. The scheduled
3 GPM. The procedure for establishing the head loss at
equipment may or may not be used, however, dependent
3 GPM is shown below as in Figure 5.
on final bid selection. The terminal equipment schedule
finally used must be based on the equipment actually
"Bid Selected". The "Bid Selected" terminal equipment
manufacturer should supply "certified" flow rate
and head loss information for use by the balance contractor.
The terminal manufacturer may only be able to provide a

single certified point for some terminal units; head loss
for a single flow rate point. Given that required flow rate is
different from that provided how can the new head loss
be determined for the required flow?
SET 6' OPPOSITE 4 GPM READ 3.4' HEAD LOSS

OPPOSITE 3 GPM
Figure 5
33
Bid Section
Ft. Hd.
T-1 – – 50 5'
T-2 – – 70 12'
T-3 – – 10 3'
T-4 – – 80 4'
VALVE Cv SCHEDULE
Valve No. Cv GPM
V1 24 50
V2 24 70
V3 4.8 10
V4 185 210
* 3" /130 Means:

3" Pipe @ 130 GPM for Pipe Section G-H
Figure 6*
Equipment Room Pipe Section
Represented By H-A (Thru Boiler)
34
Distribution Pipe Section Head Loss Tabulation Form

Pipe Section A-B B-D D-F C-E E-G G-H F-G D-E B-C A-H H-A
Flow Rate 130 120 50 10 80 130 50 70 10 80 210
Pipe Size 3" 3" 2 1/2" 1 1/4" 3" 3" 2 1/2" 2 1/2" 1 1/4" 3" 4"
Measured Length 30' 40' 42' 50' 60' 132' 50' 50' 64' 110' 62'
Equivalent Length
E1 or Thru Tee 3/24' 3/18' 1/3/'2' 1/8' 4/32' 1/18' 1/3'/2' 4/32' 5/275'
(Table 2)
Side Tee 1/16' 2/24' 2/24' 1/7' 1/6' 1/12'
Valve 1/2' 1/2' 1/1' 1/2-1/2' 1/3'

Other
Total Equivalent 160
46' 64' 60' 53'/2' 68' 164' 94' 76' 75 1/2' 104.5'
Length 1/2'
Pipe & Fitting Head
19' 22' 12' 1.0' 1.1' 6.6' 1.9' 2.9' 1.4' 2.6' 2.8'
Loss (Table 1)
Unit No. T-1 T-2 T-3 T-4 ––
Terminal Head
5' 12' 3' 4' ––
Loss
Cv 24/ 24/ 48/ –– 185/
Control
Valve Head
10' 20' 10' –– 3'
Loss
Total Head Loss with
16.9' 34.9' 14.4' 6.6' ––
Control Valve
3-D 1.5'
Rolairtrol 1.5'
Boiler 2'
Total 10.8'
Worksheet 3
EQUIPMENT ROOM HEAD LOSS

While equipment room head loss evaluation is not necessary Pipe and fitting head loss procedures are the same as described
for the proportional "pre-set" balance procedure, it is useful for for distribution piping head losses. Equivalent length for
evaluation of final pump head requirement and for prediction equipment room strainers, checks, etc. shown on the calculation
of estimated flow rates through each terminal (see page 23). chart.
Equipment room head loss determination is essentially the Control valve head losses are the same as described on page 32.
same as for the terminal sub-circuit in that it is composed of
several parts: Head loss for boilers and chillers is available from the
1. Pipe and Fitting Head Los s manufacturer.
2. Control Valve Head Loss
Head loss for Bell & Gossett specialty equipment (Rolairtrol, 3-D
3. Prime Equipment Head Loss (Boilers, Chillers, etc.)
and Suction Strainer refer to B&G Product Catalog).
4. Specialty Equipment Head Loss (Strainers, Air Separators,
3-D, Checks, etc.)
35
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© 2013 Xylem Inc. TEH-985A February 2013

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TECHNICAL Manual

Circuit Setter® Valve

BALANCE PROCEDURE EVALUATION

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND RECENT BACKGROUND

**Associated Air Balance Council

*Safety factor head should not be applied to Hydronic Systems

NEW CIRCUIT SETTER PLUS

CIRCUIT SETTER PLUS OFFERS

1. Proportional Balance Capability

5. Valved Readout Ports 2

1.Precisely calibrated pre-settable balance valve.

INTEGRAL VALVED READ-OUT PORTS

CIRCUIT SETTER VALVE

Quality manufacturing and materials provide leak-tight

Table 1 shows the accuracy of the various

2. Circuit Setter Balance Valve Calculator

SIDE 1 Plots actual system imposed head loss versus

The "Flow Meter" side (Side 2) of the Calculator is used

It will be noted that the Circuit Setter Valve can be used as

More usually, however, the flow meter characteristics of the

THE CIRCUIT SETTER

Actual total pressure drop will be to the order of .7 to .9 of

VELOCITY HEAD RECOVERY AND CIRCUIT

V – Velocity Ft. /Sec.

These differences are significant enough to require two

Changes in velocity through the Circuit Setter Valve can be

3/4" VALVE @ 10'

Adjust Side 1 ("Pre-Set" side) of the Circuit Setter Calculator,

FOR HYDRONIC APPLICATIONS

Pre-Set Balance Feature: Valves to be designed to allow

Valve Design and Construction: All valves 1/2" to 3" pipe

Valves 4" pipe size to be of cast iron body / brass vane

Design Pressure /Temperature:

NOTE: 4" flanged Circuit Setter not designed for

Figure 1 is representative of a "to scale"

TERMINAL UNIT SCHEDULE

Indicates Gate Valve CONTROL VALVE SCHEDULE

PIPE SECTION FLOW DETERMINATION

Pipe section flow rates are derived from terminal unit

The method* used for determining terminal unit flow rate

It will be noted that the schedule shown on the plan

* 3" /130 Means: Should another manufacturer's terminal units be

In order to establish basic pre-set balance procedure

These estimated head losses are shown on the

* 3" /130 *Pipe section head loss estimation for this

The pipe plan is now used as a road map and all

CIRCUIT A H Thru T-1 A H Thru T-2 A H Thru T-4

In order to achieve this objective, circuit setter valves will be

CIRCUIT A-H thru T1 A-H thru T2 A-H thru T3 A-H thru T4

While circuit setter valves will often be selected smaller than

**50/21. 1'/2-1/2"/36°CS-1. .. Means: 50 GPM @ 21. 1 Ft. Hd., 2-1/2"

CHECK REQUIRED PUMP HEAD AND

The required pump head will then be 47.4' plus 10.8' =

Since the specified pump head (80') is greater than

Had the specified pump head been less than required,

its design flow. Terminal T-1 has a design requirement of

HEAD LOSS ESTIMATION PROCEDURES

1. Distribution Pipe Sections

2. Terminal Sub-Circuit Pipe Section