38 Product Development Drive with care
THERE’S no doubt that, in HVAC installations, replacing ordinary motor starters with variable speed drives (VSDs) will almost always produce useful energy savings as well as reducing wear and tear on the plant. But, says Stephen Takhar of Vacon, those who want to get the full range of benefits that VSDs can offer should choose their drives with care.
VSDs for HVAC applications should, for example, have an integrated PID controller, as this is needed to provide automatic control of fan and pump speed using signals from pressure and flow sensors. A real-time clock is also highly desirable, so that the drives can be programmed to minimise energy usage at times when the building is not occupied.
A multimotor feature that allows a single VSD to control several motors, and built-in logic functions that eliminate the need for a separate PLC are big money savers in a lot of applications. In addition, facilities for monitoring energy consumption are becoming increasingly important, to help users meet the metering requirements of Part L2 of the Building Regulations. Fire mode operation is another big plus in fan applications, as it allows the drive to automatically override its own protection systems in the event of a fire, which means that the fans are kept running – and extracting smoke – for as long as possible. Then
there are
communication features to be considered. Many HVAC drives are
connected to building management systems (BMSs), so suitable interface facilities are needed, most usefully taking the form of an Ethernet port and support for the TCP/ IP communications protocol. Drives for HVAC
applications must also be physically small, as space for HVAC control systems is invariably limited. A high ingress protection rating, say IP54, is also required, as it allows the drive to be mounted directly on a wall, rather than needing to be built into a control panel. And, of course, essential elements like chokes, filters, keypad and display should be built in.
Nor should the reliability and durability of the drives be overlooked. The best will use components that have a typical life of ten years or more, with particular attention being given to the capacitors and fans, which are the most frequent cause of failure in low specification drives.
Finally, the drives should be well supported by their supplier. This means that expert technical guidance and advice should be readily available covering everything from the choice of drive, through installation and commissioning, to fault finding and maintenance.
VSDs have a lot to offer in HVAC applications, but to get the best results, it is important to choose the right drives for the job. Making this choice isn’t rocket science, but a little consideration given to the points mentioned will always pay big
dividends.
Product News Mitsubishi Electric launches free seminars
Mitsubishi Electric has announced a programme of free seminars highlighting the integral role heat pump technology has to play in both the commercial and residential heating sectors. Two separate events will be held each month starting on 11 and 12 December.
The first day will cover the residential sector, looking at solutions for both home and community heating schemes,
while the second day will cover the commercial sector and examine systems that are designed to replace or work alongside existing heating. The seminars will be held at the company’s Hatfield headquarters, start at 9am and end with lunch. Visitors will also be able to visit the Ecodan display van and the company’s extensive showrooms, to see the range of different heating solutions available. Mitsubishi Electric
01707 282880
www.mitsubishielectricevents.co.uk/ecodanseminars High capacity mobile unit
Andrews Sykes has unveiled its highest capacity mobile air conditioning unit to date – the HPAC90. It delivers 90kW of cooling for a typical area of 2,000m2, making it suitable for large spaces such as temporary structures and marquees, film sets and outside broadcasts. Its heat pump technology makes it equally suited for use as a large volume space heater unit. With this unit, Andrews Sykes has responded to customer demand for an ultra high capacity unit. It can be used to provide additional capacity during periods
of extreme heat or used as a standalone unit when fixed systems are undergoing planned or emergency maintenance. The unit can be positioned up to 50m away from the area requiring cooling (or heating) and this flexibility of configuration makes it ideal for a number of applications. It is housed within a strong lifting frame which also incorporates fork lift pockets and lifting eyes for ease of transportation and positioning. The HPAC90 has a maximum air flow of 15,000m3/hr and weighs 1,500kg. Andrews Sykes
www.andrews-sykes.com Eco-friendly air conditioning
Newly launched firm, EnviroAirCon, specialises in installing the latest split, multi split, VRF and DVM air conditioning units for domestic and commercial use. The range includes ducted, ceiling mounted, cassette and floor mounted systems in a range of styles, sizes and specifications. Before any system is installed, EnviroAirCon engineers can visit premises in order to determine which solution is most suitable, putting together a bespoke design if necessary. As well as installing the air conditioning units, EnviroAirCon also offers
a contracted maintenance and repair schedule. All EnviroAirCon’s engineers are F-Gas certified and are constantly undertaking new training as air conditioning technology advances.
Although the company itself is new, its engineers have more than 20 years of experience installing and repairing air conditioning units. They can fit the latest eco-friendly units to both residential and commercial premises and the company says they can ensure that its customers save money while also helping to protect the environment. EnviroAirCon
http://enviroaircon.com ACR News November 2013 Visit ACR News online at
www.acr-news.com
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