earth_america
user_standard Log on
action_search_stroke
earth_america
Log on to rate and give feedback 1 2 3 4 5 Log on to rate
0
How to

How to


Products: Commission, MP-V
Functionalities: Engineering, BACnet/IP devices
Product version: 3.0, 3.1
7/13/2019

Flow Balancing at Maximum, Intermediate, or Minimum Flow Setpoint

Using the eCommission SmartX Controllers mobile application, you flow balance a VAV unit at each designated setpoint to achieve the desired air flow.

One, two, or three flow setpoints can be selected for flow balancing. The maximum flow setpoint is selected by default. In addition, you can also select the intermediate flow setpoint or the minimum flow setpoint, or both. The VAV unit is automatically flow balanced at the chosen setpoints, in sequence, using the same process at each setpoint.

Important:

In the Air Balancing Setpoints view, the Intermediate flow and Minimum flow setpoint check boxes are cleared by default. However, it is recommended that you include either or both these setpoints for flow balancing, in addition to the Maximum flow setpoint. Doing so allows you to achieve greater flow accuracy across the operating flow range of the VAV unit.

Show More
action_close

The Flow Balance function of the eCommission SmartX Controllers mobile application is used to air balance terminal boxes controlled by MP-V controllers. This function automates most of the air balance procedure but it also allows you to manually check out the flow balance by driving the damper to a specified position, a flow setpoint, or a flow value.

Flow balancing, also known as air balancing, is the process you use to calibrate an installed VAV terminal unit so that the airflow indicated by the VAV controller is accurate, relative to the true airflow delivered by the VAV terminal unit.

After the Electrician installs, wires, and powers the MP-V, the controller automatically calibrates the damper stroke. Upon start-up, the MP-V will automatically perform a damper stroke angle calibration where the damper rotates to each mechanical end stop. After the MP-V has completed this process, it is ready to be accessed from the eCommission application to perform flow balancing.

When you select an MP-V from the eCommission application, a Variable Air Volume Data object is automatically created in the controller. This object has values that read the Airflow Sensor terminal and values that configure the Damper Control 1 of the MP-V. The MP-V also contains logic to assist in the flow balancing calibration.

For more information, see eCommission SmartX Controllers Mobile Application Overview .

Note:

The eCommission application supports flow balancing for MP-Vs with the data object Variable Air Volume only. The eCommission application does not support flow balancing for MP-Vs with custom balancing programs.

Flow Balancing Workflow

Use this workflow to perform flow balance on a single MP-V controller, using the eCommission SmartX Controllers mobile application. Related information can be found in the section after the flowchart. For more information, see Flow Balancer Workflow .

Configure Setpoints

You configure the MP-V controller setpoints to prepare the parameters by which the controller is balanced. These setpoints include the maximum flow setpoint, selected by default, and the intermediate and minimum flow setpoints, which are optional. For more information, see Configuring MP-V Controller Setpoints .

Flow Balance at Setpoints

Using the eCommission SmartX Controllers mobile application, you flow balance a VAV unit at each designated setpoint to achieve the desired air flow.

For more information, see Flow Balancing at Maximum, Intermediate, or Minimum Flow Setpoint .

Perform Manual Checkout

After completing the automated flow balancing process, you can use manual checkout to verify and command the air flow values for one or multiple MP-V controllers.

For more information, see Performing Manual Checkout of Air Flow .

Verify Damper Rotation

You can manually verify the direction of the damper rotation of an MP-V to verify that the actuator rotates clockwise or counterclockwise to open.

For more information, see Manually Verifying the Direction of Damper Rotation .

Flow Balance Reports

The eCommission SmarX Controllers mobile application provides the user with a means to generate a flow balance report that documents several values:

  • Box capacity at 1 inch H20 (249 Pa)

  • Box measured flow

  • Hood measured flow for each setpoint used during balancing

  • Actuator stroke and rotation

  • Flow balance time and date

  • Any comments

Using the eCommission application, you can create, append, and delete flow balance reports. Flow balance reports are stored on the eCommission application mobile device and can be retrieved and shared using the file and e-mail applications of that mobile device or Windows 10 laptop.

For more information, see Flow Balance Reports .

To flow balance at the maximum, intermediate, or minimum flow setpoint

  1. When the flow balance process begins, the eCommission application automatically checks for correct damper rotation. If a message is displayed, saying that the direction of rotation is not correct, choose to either allow the application to automatically correct the direction of rotation or dismiss the message.

  2. In the Balance at Maximum Flow view, select the information icon

     
    action_zoom_plus_stroke
    to expand the Current Status pane. Flow information related to the VAV unit is displayed.

    Note:

    During flow balancing at maximum flow, the MP-V controller's actuator rotates the damper, which is driven until a stable flow is produced at the flow setpoint.

  3. Monitor Box measured flow until its value reaches the setpoint and remains within tolerance for 10 seconds, signifying that the flow has stabilized.

    Important:

    In the Air Balancing Setpoints view, the Flow tolerance value defines how close the measured box flow must be to the associated setpoint before the eCommission application automatically advances, so that the flow balancer can measure and record diffuser flow values.

  4. On the terminal box being balanced, position a flow hood at one of the outlet diffusers and then record the flow. Repeat this for any additional outlet diffusers on the terminal box.

  5. Select the grayed portion of the window to open the Balance at Maximum view.

  6. In the Diffuser 1 flow box, type the measured flow value recorded in the previous step.

  7. In the Diffuser 2 flow box, type the next measured flow value.

  8. Continue typing measured flow values for any additional outlet diffusers.

    Note:

    Hood measured flow is calculated by the sum of the Diffuser values. For example, if you have two diffusers, the hood measured flow will be the sum of Diffuser1 and Diffuser2 measurements. The Hood Measured Flow should be similar to the Box Measured Flow value.

  9. In the Comment field, enter a comment to add to the Air Balancing Report.

  10. Select Next . After completing flow balance at the maximum flow setpoint, the eCommission application automatically proceeds to flow balancing at the intermediate and minimum flow setpoints, if selected.

The VAV unit is flow balanced at the selected setpoints. Now you are ready to perform manual checkout.

See Also

  • Flow Balancer Workflow
  • Flow Balancing
  • Configuring MP-V Controller Setpoints
  • Performing Manual Checkout of Air Flow