Fan Performance

Mark Stevens
Deputy Executive Director
AMCA International

The International Authority on Air System Components

Fan Testing for Air Performance

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AMCA Standard 210

Piezometer Ring
Fan Static Pressure

Nozzles
Fan Airflow

Test Fan
Auxiliary Fan

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AMCA 210 Test Results

800

2.5

700
2

500

1.5

400
1

300
200

0.5
100
0

0
0

Air Flow, Q

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10

12

Power, H

Pressure, P

600

AMCA Standards 500-D & -L

Test Damper

Piezometer Ring
Damper Pressure Drop

Nozzles
Damper Airflow
Auxiliary
Fan

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AMCA
TestPoint
Results
Fan 500-D
Operating
700

600

500

Pressure, P

Operating Point
400

300

200

100

0
0

Air Flow, Q
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10

12

Speed Change
800
700
600

New Operating Point

Pressure, P

500

New speed

Operating Point

400
300
200
100
0
0

6
Air Flow, Q

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10

12

14

Damper Opening
700

600

Pressure, P

500

Operating Point

400

New Operating Point

300

New System

200

100

0
0

Air Flow, Q
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10

12

System Effect
1ST Definition
Installed duct configuration does not match
tested duct configuration

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Installation Type D
Ducted Inlet / Ducted Outlet
Piezometer Ring
Fan Static Pressure

Nozzles
Fan Airflow

Test Fan
Auxiliary Fan

Plenum

Plenum

Installed Fan
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AMCA Catalog Ratings

Performance certified is for
installation type:

A: Free inlet, Free outlet

B: Free inlet, Ducted outlet
C: Ducted inlet, Free outlet
D: Ducted inlet, Ducted outlet

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System Effect
2nd Definition
Even when the tested duct configuration matches
the installed duct configuration, improper duct
design can introduce adverse flow conditions

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Elbow Example

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AMCA Publication 201

Detailed Plenum Example
Plenum

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Detailed Plenum Example

E-F

duct friction at 5000CMH (Q)

contraction loss-plenum to duct

PS energy required to create velocity at E

PV loss (also PT loss) at D as result of air velocity decrease

747 Pa (duct design)

50 Pa (part of duct system)
125 Pa (part of duct system)
0 Pa

PS does not change from duct to plenum at D

C-D outlet duct on fan as tested

0 Pa
--------------------

REQUIRED Fan PS

922 Pa

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Detailed Plenum Example

D-E duct friction at 5000CMH (Q)

D

contraction loss-plenum to duct

PS energy required to create velocity at D

B-C SEF

747 Pa (duct design)

50 Pa (part of duct system)
125 Pa (part of duct system)

149 Pa

B-C PV loss (also PT loss) at C as result of air velocity decrease

0 Pa

PS does not change from duct to plenum at C

------------------

REQUIRED Fan PS

1071 Pa

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Fan Laws for Speed Change

QC =

( )
( )
( )
NC
N

Q, Fan Airflow Rate

P, Fan Pressure

H, Fan Power

PC =

NC
N

HC =

NC
N

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8% Speed Change
800

2.5

700
2
600
500

1.5

400
1

300
200

0.5

8% More Q

100
0

0
0

Air Flow, Q
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10

12

14

Power, H

Pressure, P

25% More H

Plenum Example from AMCA 201

Assuming:
Use of the same fan for both systems
Can attain both operating points with a
change in speed
The increased in power consumption to
overcome System Effect is about 25%
(1071/922)0.5 = 1.08 (Fan Law for pressure)
1.083 = 1.25 (Fan Law for Power)
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Ducted Fan
Fan as Tested

C-D duct friction

A

free inlet

B-C outlet with straight duct attached for 2 or more diam.

750 Pa (duct design)

0 Pa (no SEF)
0 Pa (no SEF)
--------------------

REQUIRED Fan PS

750 Pa

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Ducted Fan
Exhaust System

A
A-B
B
C
E

Entrance loss-sharp edge duct

Duct friction at 5000CMH
SEF 1 (Elbow at Inlet)
SEF 2 (Obstruction)
SEF 3 (Abrupt Discharge)

REQUIRED Fan Ps

100 Pa (duct design)

750 Pa (duct design)
150 Pa
50 Pa
150 Pa
------------------

1200 Pa

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Inlet System Effect

SYSTEM EFFECT

DESIGN RESISTANCE

ACTUAL FAN CURVE WITH

SYSTEM EFFECT

CATALOG PERFORMANCE
CURVE

AIRFLOW DEFICIENCY

DESIGN AIRFLOW

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Outlet System Effect

ACTUAL SYSTEM WITH
SYSTEM EFFECT

CALCULATED SYSTEM WITH

NO ALLOWANCE FOR
SYSTEM EFFECT

SYSTEM EFFECT LOSS AT

DESIGN AIRFLOW

DESIGN RESISTANCE

CATALOG PERFORMANCE
CURVE

AIRFLOW DEFICIENCY

DESIGN AIRFLOW

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Speed Changes
Before Increasing Speed
Check with the manufacturer for max safe
operating speed
Determine expected power increase
Motor size
Electric Service

Expect more noise

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Rules of Thumb
Minimum 2.5 duct diameters on Outlet
Minimum 3 to 5 duct diameters on Inlet
Avoid inlet swirl

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Recommendations
Allow enough space in the building design
to allow for appropriate fan connections to
the system

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Recommendations
Use allowances in the design calculations
when space or other factors dictate less
than optimum arrangement of the fan
outlet and inlet connections

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Recommendations
Include adequate allowance for the effect
of all accessories and appurtenances on
the performance of the system and the fan

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Thank you

AMCA International, Inc.

30 W. University Drive
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
USA
Tel: +1 847 394 0150 Fax: +1 847 253 0088
www.amca.org
Mark Stevens - mstevens@amca.org
The International Authority on Air System Components