Section 7 Air Conditioning (Cooling) Unit 37 Air Distribution and Balance
Section 7 Air Conditioning (Cooling) Unit 37 Air Distribution and Balance
Section 7 Air Conditioning (Cooling) Unit 37 Air Distribution and Balance
Damper in
fresh air duct
Supply duct
Air handler
Supply duct
Duct
Probe located in
the duct, facing
into the direction Total pressure
of airflow
Velocity pressure
Total pressure
Static pressure
MOTOR
DIRECT DRIVE MOTOR ASSEMBLY
Supply plenum
Branch
ducts
Return duct
THE EXTENDED PLENUM
SYSTEM
• Can be applied to a long structure
• This system takes the plenum closer to the
farthest point
• Called the trunk duct system
• Ducts called branches complete the
connection to the terminal units
THE EXTENDED PLENUM SYSTEM
50 100 cfm
100 200 cfm 100 cfm
cfm cfm
50 cfm
50 100 cfm
100 200 cfm 100 cfm
cfm cfm
50 cfm
50 100 cfm
100 200 cfm 100 cfm
cfm cfm
50 cfm
Slip
Drive cleat
JOINING SECTIONS OF GALVANIZED DUCT WITH SLIPS
AND DRIVES
Return
Damper Supply
Flexible Duct
COMBINATION DUCT SYSTEMS
• Metal trunk lines with round branch ducts
• Metal trunk lines with flexible branch ducts
• Ductboard trunk lines with round metal branch
ducts
• Ductboard trunk lines with flexible branch ducts
• Round metal duct with round metal branch ducts
• Round metal trunk lines with flexible branch
ducts
DUCT AIR MOVEMENT
• Branch ducts are fastened to the main trunk by a
takeoff-fitting
• The takeoff encourages the air moving the duct
to enter the takeoff to the branch duct
• Air moving in the duct has inertia, meaning it
wants to move in a straight line
• Using turning vanes will improve the air-flow
around corners
Main supply duct
Takeoff fitting
BALANCING DAMPERS
• Used to balance the air in various parts of the
system
• Dampers should be located as close as practical to
the trunk line
• The trunk is the place to balance airflow
• Handles allow the dampers to be turned at an
angle to the airstream to slow the air down
Branch duct
Balancing damper in the
closed position
Return plenum
R
SIZING DUCT FOR MOVING AIR
• Friction loss in ductwork is due to the actual rubbing
action of the air against the side of the duct and the
turbulence of the air rubbing against itself while moving
down the duct
• The smoother the duct’s interior surface is, the less friction
there is
• The slower the air is moving, the less friction there will be
• Each foot of duct offers a known resistance to airflow
MEASURING AIR MOVEMENT
FOR BALANCING
• Air balancing is accomplished by measuring the
air leaving each register
• Measuring velocity of the duct in a cross section
of the duct
• Determine the cfm by using the formula: CFM =
area in square feet x velocity in feet per minute
Cross-sectional area =
1 ft x 1 ft = 12” x 12” =
144 square inches =
Average air
velocity is 1 foot
400 fpm
Average air
velocity is 18”
400 fpm