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K Factor

The K factor, or flow multiplier, is a correction factor used by VAV controller manufacturers to account for real-world installation issues and improve the accuracy of calculated air flow (CFM) readings. It corrects the CFM calculation derived from differential pressure readings at the air velocity sensor. Controls technicians will initially enter theoretical duct specifications, and adjust the K factor or gain based on actual CFM readings taken by a balancer to match the controller readings to measured airflow. Different manufacturers implement the K factor or gain as variables in their CFM calculation formulas in varying ways.

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174 views2 pages

K Factor

The K factor, or flow multiplier, is a correction factor used by VAV controller manufacturers to account for real-world installation issues and improve the accuracy of calculated air flow (CFM) readings. It corrects the CFM calculation derived from differential pressure readings at the air velocity sensor. Controls technicians will initially enter theoretical duct specifications, and adjust the K factor or gain based on actual CFM readings taken by a balancer to match the controller readings to measured airflow. Different manufacturers implement the K factor or gain as variables in their CFM calculation formulas in varying ways.

Uploaded by

almario_camus
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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The K Factor is just one of the terms used to describe the same thing.

Let's start with the typical formula for determining air flow in CFM:
Air Flow in CFM (Q) = Flow Velocity in Feet Per Minute (V) x Duct Cross Sectional Area (A)
Now, in most cases it is not practical to measure air flow velocity directly. The equipment to do so is
either too expensive for VAV applications, or too prone to errors (i.e. hot wire type sensors). These two
pressures being feed to some sensor which will produce an output signal equivalent to the difference
between the two. Or, in other words, the Differential Pressure (DP). Which represents a factor called
Velocity Pressure. Now that's not air flow velocity, itself.
Now one needs to convert Velocity Pressure (DP) into a useable number. For our purposes that'd be
Velocity (V) in feet per minute. There is a mathematical formula for this, actually there can be several
ways to solve but I'll just show one:

V = 4005 X SqRt(DP)

Air Flow in CFM (Q) = Flow Velocity in Feet Per Minute (V) x Duct Cross Sectional Area (A)
Now, here we start having some divergence between manufacturers. In the firmware some will expect a
cross sectional area in square feet, some in square inches. Still others just ask you to input duct
dimensions and the firmware does the calculations.
In the end, the resulting number (solution) is supposed to be the CFM, as derived from the DP (velocity
pressure) signal from the sensor.
But note that this assumes a lot of stuff. Odds are that under normal conditions the air supply to the
VAV IS NOT at the presumed conditions of temperature, humidity, and you're not at sea level. That'll
affect the final numbers ... slightly.
It also assumes a pretty good degree of laminar (non-turbulent) flow at the point where the pickup
tubes are located. Recommended is stretch of straight duct 5 or 6 times the duct diameter before the
probes. Often not the case in real installations. Assumes minimal duct air leakage. And also doesn't take
into account other things which might cause turbulent air flow at the point where the probes are
installed. Etc.

So the above formula is pretty good for LABORATORY, or theoretical, purposes. Not so good in many real
life installations.
Thus VAV controller manufacturers introduce what is commonly called a "K Factor" into the picture. (or
Flow Multiplier, Gain, etc)
Think of it as a Correction Factor. A number that can be used to correct for those real world installation
issues. Typically you start out by the controls guy entering "perfect world" numbers. And then whenever
it occurs a balancer comes by and takes real readings, and he'll modify the K Factor so that the particular
VAV produces a resulting CFM reading that matches what the balancer read with his gear. Or, maybe if
he doesn't have the ability to change the numbers he'll tell the controls guy to enter the correction.
Now the so-called K Factor itself is done differently between manufacturers.
In the case of one line of VAV controllers I deal with. The K Factor = 4005 X cross sectional area in square
inches. For instance, if the probes are in a 6" round duct, K Factor would be 786. In calculating CFM,
controller multiplies K Factor times Velocity Pressure.
To correct for what a balancer reads, 786 would be changed up or down until reading matches
balancer's readings.
A different scheme is used by others. For instance another manufacturer might use the Flow Multiplier
or Gain method.
In one such a scheme:

Flow in CFM = Area X 4005 X SqRt(Velocity/Gain).

Where Area is in SqFt, Velocity is FPM. Gain is the modifying number to correct result, if needed. a Gain
of 1 means no correction is needed.

In such a case controls tech just enters cross sectional area. Gain is changed from a 1 only if needed.

If balancer determines a change is needed, cross sectional area stays as is, you change the Gain number.

In the case of JCI they usually publish a guide (listing) of the VAV boxes most commonly found by
manufacturer, which lists their suggested Gain numbers for the controls types to plug into their
controllers. BUT ... no such list is going to be all that accurate. If you want accuracy actual CFM should be
measured by a trained person and that number checked against what the controller THINKS the air flow
is, and suitable adjustment in K Factor or Gain made.

I've seen boxes WAYYYY off on the CFM's reported. For all sorts of reasons. Really turbulent flow, excess
leakage, pickup probe(s) cracked or damaged, excessive dirt and debris on the ports of the pickup probe,
drawings said it was a 6 inch box but actually somebody installed a 10 inch, etc.

Just my thoughts on the subject. And I am by no means expert in the subject. Nor in any other subject
for that matter.

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