2018‐06‐22

SYSTEM EFFECT
Pranchanart Neamnam, Kruger Thailand
1

Contents
Introduction

System Effect theory AMCA 201

Installation Guideline

Fault & Fixed

1
 2018‐06‐22

Introduction

(CUSTOMER CALL)

...I have some trouble with your fan is not sufficient flow
and pressure following the design…

2
 2018‐06‐22

(CUSTOMER CALL)

I ordered 3000 cfm 1 in-wg. Fan

Measurement is 2000 cfm 0.75 in-wg

(FAN MAUFACTURING SAID)

Our fan of course have no fault..... product were

certified by AMCA

3
 2018‐06‐22

Ductwork Example

System Effect Controlled by Inlet and Outlet Conditions

8 System Resistance

4
 2018‐06‐22

Causes of Non-Performing Systems

 System resistance miscalculated.

Fan not properly selected.
Defective fan (or fan rating).
There is a system effect loss.

Fan Manufacturer’s Responsibility

 Provide accurate fan performance ratings.

 Provide a fan built within tolerance so that it is
capable of meeting its rating.

10

5
 2018‐06‐22

What is System Effect ?

 The difference in performance between a fan

tested in the laboratory and one tested in a
real installation.

11

AMCA Publication 210-16

Defines standard methods of

testing fans for rating

12

6
 2018‐06‐22

Definition of System Effect

 Fans in actual systems are often less than ideal.

13

Definition of System Effect

 Fan ratings are established using AMCA 210

test codes that are close to ideal conditions.
 Fans in actual systems are often less than ideal.
 The difference in performance for the same
fan tested in both conditions is the “System
Effect”.

14

7
 2018‐06‐22

What is System Effect ?

15

What System Effect is Important?

16

8
 2018‐06‐22

Normal System Performance

1
Design pressure

Calculated duct system curve

Fan curve

Design volume
17

Deficient Performance With System Effect

System effect at actual
flow volume
 Operating point is at point 3
 Operating point is not on fan
curve!

1 Calculated duct system

Design pressure

3
with no allowance for
system effect

Original fan curve

18 Design volume Deficient volume

9
 2018‐06‐22

Correcting For System Effect

System effect at actual Actual duct system with
flow volume system effect

Calculated duct system

with no allowance for
2
system effect

System effect loss at

4 design volume
1
Design pressure

3 New fan curve

Original fan curve

Design volume Deficient volume

19

20

10
 2018‐06‐22

Conclusion from AMCA VDO

OUTLET

Vp = 1" Vp = 0.85" Vp = 0.7"

Velocity Pressure Velocity (fpm) Q (%) N rpm (%) N' rpm (%) Power (kW)
Increased (%)
1 .0 0 " 4005 100 100 100 -
0 .8 5 " 3692 9 2 .2 100 1 0 8 (100/92.2) 2 6 (1.08)3
0 .7 0 " 3350 8 3 .6 100 1 2 0 (100/83.6) 7 3 (1.20)3
Note : 1) N’ = New fan speed to achieve design capacity
2) Velocity Pressure = (V/4005)2 Inch -wg.
V = fpm
3) Fan law
P1 / P2 = (N1/N2) 3
P = Power (kW)
21 N = Fan speed (rpm)

Conclusion from AMCA VDO

INLET

Vp = 1" Vp = 0.75" Vp = 0.6"

Velocity Pressure Velocity (fpm) Q (%) N rpm (%) N' rpm (%) Power (kW)
Increased (%)
1 .0 0 " 4005 100 100 100 -
0 .7 5 " 3468 8 6 .6 100 1 1 5 (100/86.6) 5 2 (1.15)3
0 .6 0 " 3102 7 7 .5 100 1 2 9 (100/77.5) 1 1 5 (1.29)3

Note : 1) N’ = New fan speed to achieve design capacity

2) Velocity Pressure = (V/4005)2 inch-wg.
V = fpm
3) Fan law
P1 / P2 = (N1/N2) 3
P = Power (kW)
N = Fan speed (rpm)
22

11
 2018‐06‐22

Worse Case Inlet & Outlet

Vp = 0.36"

Velocity Pressure Velocity (fpm) Q (%) N rpm (%) N' rpm (%) Power (kW)
Increased (%)
1 .0 0 " 4005 100 100 100 -
0 .3 6 2400 60 100 1 6 7 (100/60) 366 (1.67)3

Note : 1) N’ = New fan speed to achieve design capacity

2) Velocity Pressure = (V/4005)2 inch-wg.
V = fpm
3) Fan law
P1 / P2 = (N1/N2) 3
P = Power (kW)
N = Fan speed (rpm)
23

SYSTEM EFFECT THEORY

24

12
 2018‐06‐22

AMCA Publication 201-02

 The bible of system effects

Generated from ASHRAE
funded research

25

Purpose of Discussion

 Aimed primarily at the fan system designer

There are two goals:

Avoid poor fan system configurations
When optimum conditions cannot be met, use
the “system effect” factors to estimate any
losses during system design.

26

13
 2018‐06‐22

Effective Duct Length

Blast Area
Avoid Installed
Outlet Discharge
Cut off
Area Duct

•Elbow
• Silencer
•Damper
25%
Avoid Measure Air Volume
Centrifugal Fan 50%

75%

100% Effective Duct Length Function

•Uniform
• Static pressure regain
Axial Fan
•Noise

27

De (Effective Duct Length)

28

14
 2018‐06‐22

Thumb Rules

 Minimum of 2.5 Duct Diameters on Outlet,

Minimum 3 to 5 Duct Diameters on Inlet, and
Avoid Inlet Swirl

29

How are the Losses Quantified ?

 AMCA 201 publishes data for a variety of

configurations
Most identify a “Loss Curve” which is based on
the configuration and identified by a letter
Most also need the air velocity as a parameter.

30

15
 2018‐06‐22

System Effect Curves for Outlet Ducts

- Centrifugal Fans

Blast Area Outlet Discharge

Area Duct
Cutoff

100%Effective Duct Length

No 12% 25% 50% 100%

Duct Effective Effective Effective Effective
Duct Duct Duc t Duct

Blast Area SystemEffect Curve

Outlet Area
0.4 P R-S U W --
0.5 P R-S U W --
0.6 R-S S-T U-V W-X --
0.7 S U W-X -- --
0.8 T-U VW X -- --
0.9 W-W W-X -- -- --
1.0 -- -- -- -- --

31

System Effect Curve

F GH I J K L M N O
5.0
P
4.0
Q

3.0 R
2.5
2.0 S

1.5
T

1.0 U
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6 V

0.5
W
0.4

0.3
0.25 X
0.2

0.15

0.1
5 6 7 8 9 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

AIR VE LO C IT Y, FP M IN H U N D R ED S
3
(A ir D en sity = 0.075 lbm /ft )

32

16
 2018‐06‐22

Outlet Elbows - Centrifugal Fans

33

System Effect Curves for SWSI Fans

Outlet No 12% 25% 50% 100%
B las t A rea Elbow Outlet E ffec tive Effective E ffec tive Effective
Outlet A rea P os ition Duc t Duct Duct Duct Duct
A N O P -Q S Po si tio n C
0.4 B M -N N O-P R-S
C L-M M N Q
P os itio n D
D L-M M N Q
A O-P P-Q R T
0.5 B N-O O-P Q S-T N
C M -N N O-P R-S O
D M -N N O-P R-S Po sit ion B
A Q Q-R S U S
0.6 B P Q R T Y
C N-O O Q S S
D N-O O Q S T
A R-S S T V E
0.7 B Q-R R-S S -T U-V M
C P Q R-S T
D P Q R-S T E Inle t
P os iti on A
A S S-T T-U W F
0.8 B R-S S T V F For DWDI fans determines SEF using the curve for
E
C
D
Q-R
Q-R
R
R
S
S
U-V
U-V C
SWSI fans. Then apply the appropriate multiplier
A T T-U U-V W T from the tabulation below
0.9 B S S-T T-U W MULTIPLIERS FOR DWDI FANS
C R S S -T V F
D R S S -T V A ELBOW POSITION A, C = ∆P X 1.00
A T T-U U-V W C ELBOW POSITION B = ∆P X 1.25
1 B S-T T U W T
C R-S S T V O ELBOW POSITION D = ∆P X 0.85
D R-S S T V R

34

17
 2018‐06‐22

PRESSURE GRADIENTS – Fan as Tested

C-D duct friction 750 Pa (duct design)

A free inlet 0 Pa (no SEF)
B-C outlet with straight duct attached
for 2 or more dia. 0 Pa (no SEF)
--------------------------------
REQUIRED Fan Ps 750 Pa

35

PRESSURE GRADIENTS – Plenum Effect

E-F duct friction at 5000CMH (Q) 750 Pa (duct design)

E contraction loss-plenum to duct 50 Pa (part of duct system)
E Ps energy required to create velocity at E 125 Pa (part of duct system)
D Pv loss (also Pt loss) at D as result of air velocity decrease 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 925 Pa

36

18
 2018‐06‐22

PRESSURE GRADIENTS – Abrupt

Expansion at Fan Outlet

D-E duct friction at 5000CMH (Q) 750 Pa (duct design)

D contraction loss-plenum to duct 50 Pa (part of duct system)
D Ps energy required to create velocity at D 125 Pa (part of duct system)
B-C SEF 150 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 1075 Pa

37

System Effect on round inlet ducts

Sy ste m E ffect Cu rves Sy stem E ffect C urves

R/D No 2D 5D R /D No 2D 5D
Du ct Du ct Du ct D uct D uc t D uct
0.5 O Q S 0 .5 P-Q R-S T
S ys tem E ffect C urve s
0.75 Q R -S T-U 0 .75 Q-R S U
R /D No 2D 5D
D uc t D uc t D u ct 1.0 R S -T U-V 1 .0 R S-T U -V
-- N P R -S 2.0 R -S T U-V 2 .0 R- S T U -V
3.0 S T -U V 3 .0 S-T U V -W

D D D

Le ng th L en gth L en gth
of D uct o f D uct o f D u ct

R R
R

4 or more piece
2 piece mitered 3 piece mitered
mitered round
round section round section
section
38

19
 2018‐06‐22

System Effect Curve

F GH I J K L M N O
5.0
P
4.0
Q

3.0 R
2.5
2.0 S

1.5
T

1.0 U
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6 V

0.5
W
0.4

Any velocity 0.3

greater than 0.25

0.2
X

1500 fpm would 0.15

develop a 0.1
system effect 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

AIR VELOC ITY, FPM IN H UNDR ED S

3
(Air D ensity = 0.075 lbm/ft )
39

System Effect - Square elbow and

turning vanes
S ys tem Eff ec t C ur ve s Sy st em E ffe ct C urv es S ys tem E ff ec t C ur ve s

R /D No 2D 5D R /D No 2D 5D R /D No 2D 5D
D u ct D uc t D uc t D uc t Du ct D uc t D uc t D uc t D uc t
0.5 O Q S 0 .5 S T- U V 0.5 S T -U V
0.7 5 P R S -T 1 .0 T U -V W 1.0 T U -V W
1.0 R S-T U -V 2 .0 V V- W W -X 2.0 V V -W W -X
2.0 S T- U V

H H H
Sq ua re S q ua re S qu ar e

L en g th Le n gt h Le ng t h
o f D u ct of D uc t of D uc t

R R R

Square elbow - Square elbow - Square elbow -

no turning vanes long turning vanes short turning vanes
40

20
 2018‐06‐22

System Effect Curve

F GH I J K L M N O
5.0
P
4.0
Q

3.0 R
2.5
2.0 S

1.5
T

1.0 U
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6 V

0.5
W
0.4

Any velocity 0.3

greater than 0.25

0.2
X

2250 fpm would 0.15

develop a 0.1
system effect 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45

AIR VELOCIT Y, FPM IN HUNDREDS

3
(Air D ensity = 0.075 lbm/ft )
41

PRESSURE GRADIENTS – Exhaust System

A Entrance loss-sharp edge duct 100 Pa (duct design)

A-B Duct friction at 5000CMH 750 Pa (duct design)
B SEF 1 150 Pa
C SEF 2 50 Pa
E Fan Pv 125 Pa
E SEF 3 150 Pa
------------------
REQUIRED Fan Pt 1325 Pa

Fan Ps = fan Pt – fan Pv

Fan Ps = 1325 Pa – 125 Pa
Fan Ps = 1200 Pa

42

21
 2018‐06‐22

System Effect Curves for Outlet Ducts -

Axial Fans
Axial Fan

100% Effective Duct Length

12% 25% 75% 100%

No Effective Effective Effective Effective
Duct Duct Duct Duct Duct

Tube axial Fan -- -- -- -- --

Vane axial Fan U V W -- --

43

S. E. Curves for Outlet Elbows - Axial

44

22
 2018‐06‐22

S. E. Curves for Inlet Elbows - Axial

45

Review

 Minimum 2.5 duct diameters on Outlet

Minimum 3 - 5 duct diameters on Inlet
Avoid inlet swirl

If any of these general rules are broken, make

sure to take system effect into account.

46

23
 2018‐06‐22

Installation Guideline

47

Frequently fault

Inlet Conditions
 elbows too close to fan inlet
 abrupt duct transition
 inlet spin due to duct design
 dampers not fully open
 damper locations
 poorly designed guards
 inlet too close to walls or bulkhead
 inlet boxes
48

24
 2018‐06‐22

Fan Inlet Layout

Centrifugal Not Recommended

49

Fan Inlet Layout

Centrifugal
Not Recommended Recommended

50 Eccentric inlet flow

25
 2018‐06‐22

Fan Inlet Layout

Centrifugal
Not Recommended Recommended

51
Spinning of air at inlet connection

Fan Inlet Layout

Centrifugal
Not Recommended Recommended

52

26
 2018‐06‐22

Fan Inlet Layout

Centrifugal
Not Recommended Recommended

53

Fan Inlet-Outlet Layout

Axial
Not Recommended Recommended

54

27
 2018‐06‐22

Fan Inlet Layout

Axial
Not Recommended Recommended

Inlet cones
55

Frequently fault

Outlet Conditions
 elbows too close to fan outlet
 abrupt transitions
 free discharge
 damper location
 weatherhoods
 discharge guards
 discharge too close to wall or bulkhead
56

28
 2018‐06‐22

Fan Outlet Layout

Centrifugal
Not Recommended Recommended

57
Pressure Recovery

Fan Outlet Layout

Centrifugal
Not Recommended Recommended

58

29
 2018‐06‐22

Fan Outlet Layout

Centrifugal
Not Recommended Recommended

Bends on fan Outlet

59

ENCLOSURES

• Fan in Plenum with Non‐Symmetrical Inlet
• Plenum and Cabinet Effects

• Parallel installation of 
axial flow fan

60

30
 2018‐06‐22

Fan Air Direction

Axial

Not Recommended Recommended

61

Duct Branches

• Avoid location of split or duct branch close to fan discharge. 
• Provide a straight section of duct to allow for air diffusion.

62

31
 2018‐06‐22

Duct Branches

Not Recommended Recommended

L>3D

63

Duct Branches

Duct
Not Recommended Recommended

64 Changing direction of airflow

32
 2018‐06‐22

Vc,Ac,Qc

Vb,Ab,Qb Vs,As,Qs

Vb/Vc = 1
Qb/Qc = 0.5
Coefficient C = 1.27
If V = 2000 fpm , VP = (2000/4005)2 = 0.25 inch-wg
Fitting Loss = CxVP = 1.27x0.25 = 0.32 inch-wg

65

Ac,Qc

Ab,Qb
As,Qs

Ab/As = 1
Ab/Ac = 0.5
Qb/Qc = 0.5
Coefficient C = 0.52
If V = 2000 fpm , VP = (2000/4005)2 = 0.25 inch-wg
Fitting Loss = CxVP = 0.52x0.25 = 0.13 inch-wg

66

33
 2018‐06‐22

Typical HVAC Unit Connection

67

Typical HVAC Unit Connection

68

34
 2018‐06‐22

Typical HVAC Unit Connection

69

70

35
 2018‐06‐22

71

Fault & Fixed

72

36
 2018‐06‐22

Poor Outlet

73

1
3

74

37
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

75

Fault Fixed

76

38
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

77

Fault Fixed

78

39
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

79

Fault Fixed

80

40
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

81

Fault Fixed

82

41
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

83

Fault Fixed

84

42
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

85

Fault Fixed

86

43
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

B
C

87

Fault Fixed

88

44
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

89

Fault Fixed

90

45
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

91

Fault Fixed

92

46
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

93

Fault Fixed

94

47
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

95

Fault Fixed

96

48
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

97

Fault Fixed

98

49
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

99

Fault Fixed

100

50
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

101

Fault Fixed

102

51
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

103

Fault Fixed

104

52
 2018‐06‐22

Before After

Air flow less designed 15% Equal designed air flow

105

Poor Inlet

106

53
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

107

Fault Fixed

108

54
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

109

Fault Fixed

110

55
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

111

Fault Fixed

112

56
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

113

Fault Fixed

114

57
 2018‐06‐22

Not Recommended

115

Recommended

116

58
 2018‐06‐22

Recommended

117

Poor Inlet & Poor Outlet

118

59
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

119

Fault Fixed

120

60
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

121

Fault Fixed

122

61
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

123

Fault Fixed

124

62
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

125

Fault Fixed

126

63
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

127

Fault Fixed

128

64
 2018‐06‐22

Fault Fixed

129

Fair Installation

130

65
 2018‐06‐22

131

Good Installation

132

66
 2018‐06‐22

133

134

67
 2018‐06‐22

135

136

68
 2018‐06‐22

137

138

69
 2018‐06‐22

139

140

70
 2018‐06‐22

141

142

71
 2018‐06‐22

143

The picture can't be display ed.

144

72
 2018‐06‐22

145

146

73
 2018‐06‐22

147

Energy conservation strategy

Energy conservation in fan is just a part of the system energy conservation:

1 2 3 4
Wide 
Technical 
product  Proper 
High  support – to 
range – to  ensure a  system 
efficient 
fan  meet  good match  design and 
different  of fan and  TAB 
operation  system
point
148

74
 2018‐06‐22

Thank you

149

75