Application Note Series

HVAC Series – Analyzing Airflow

Product Platform: Instrumentation &

Embedded Air Velocity Sensing
Products:
°C SPAR Sensor Pole Array System
°C Port Data Acquisition Instrument
AccuTrac™ Software
F-Series Air Velocity & Air Temperature Sensor
Purpose: Most accurate measurement of airflow in ducts for control, monitoring and viewing
Testing Range: 0.15 m/s to 20 m/s [30 fpm to 4000 fpm]

Part 1: In-Duct Airflow Measurement

ABSTRACT:

Indoor environmental conditions directly affect the health, comfort and productivity of a
building’s occupants, equipment longevity and overall energy costs. Accurate measurement of
air velocity in HVAC ducts provides the information needed to examine and calculate the
optimal airflow in HVAC systems. Larger HVAC ducts require a different set of tools than smaller
diameter ducts. Degree Controls is your trusted partner for single and multi-point airflow
sensing and control.

Airflow Measurement Standards:

Degree Controls has been developing airflow-critical solutions and airflow analysis tools for over
20 years. When asked about where and how to take air velocity measurements in a duct,
Degree Controls points to well-established standards and guidelines from ASHRAE, the

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American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. ANSI/ASHRAE

Standard 41.2 prescribes methods for air velocity and airflow measurement, and ANSI/ASHRAE
Standard 111 provides procedures for measurement, testing, adjusting, balancing, evaluating,
and reporting the performance of building heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems in
the field.

Where to Measure Airflow:

Volumetric airflow measurement accuracy depends on measurement location. ASHRAE

recommends placing the airflow transducer at least 7.5 duct diameters downstream and 3 duct
diameters upstream from obstructions or changes in airflow direction. For accurate and reliable
air velocity readings, place the air velocity sensor in stable, laminar flow:

 away from bends or junctions in ducts and

 away from turbulence caused by fans, filters or other heating and cooling devices.

How to Measure Airflow:

Airflow can vary across the cross sectional area of a duct. Measurement accuracy improves by
taking measurements at multiple points and then calculating the mean. ASHRAE provides
guidance on the number and location of measuring points within a plane for both rectangular
and circular ducts. A minimum of 25 points is specified for rectangular or square ducts, and a
minimum of 18 points is specified for circular ducts. Reference the figures below to determine:

1. Number of measuring points

2. Placement of measuring points

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Figure 1 ASHRAE Guidance for Rectangular Ducts Figure 2 ASHRAE Guidance for Circular Ducts

From ASHRAE Standard 111, Traversing a Rectangular Duct:

The number of data points to be taken along each side of the duct depends on the width
of that side of the duct. For duct sides less than 30 inches, 5 traversal points must be
taken along that side. For duct sides of 30 to 36 inches, 6 points must be taken. For
duct sides greater than 36 inches, 7 points must be taken. Multiply the numbers
provided in the table times the duct dimension to get insertion depth for the sensor
probe.

From ASHRAE Standard 111, Traversing a Circular Duct:

The preferred method is to drill 3 holes in the duct at 60° angles from each other in
order to cover all locations recommended using the log-linear method for circular ducts.
Three traverses are taken across the duct, averaging the velocities obtained at each
measuring point. Then the average velocity is multiplied by the duct area to get the flow
rate.

Part 2 of our HVAC Series – Analyzing Airflow explains why the Degree Controls °C SPAR Sensor
Pole Array is ideal for in-duct HVAC airflow measurement.

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Part 2: °C SPAR is Ideal for Multi-Point In-Duct Measurements

Note: Part 1 of our HVAC Series – Analyzing Airflow - In-Duct Airflow Measurement presents methods to
measure airflow for HVAC air distribution.

The °C SPAR Sensor Pole Array from Degree Controls is optimal for
in-duct HVAC airflow analysis. It is a linear array of airflow sensors
assembled into a single tube element with USB outputs. The °C SPAR
is designed for multipoint experimentation where there are Figure 3 °C SPAR
predefined measurement locations, just as shown in the Log-
Tchebycheff Rule for calculating volumetric flow within ducts. With the °C SPAR, air velocity,
temperature, and humidity can be measured and recorded at multiple points in real-time for
building duct performance testing.

Figure 4 ANSI/ASHRAE Standard for Traversing a Duct

°C SPAR Benefits

The °C SPAR is built to

client specified
dimensions, including
tube length, sensor
quantity, pitch, and
calibration range. °C
Figure 5 Fully Configurable °C SPAR Sensor Pole Array System
SPARs reduce set-up time
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by eliminating complex fixturing that goes along with making multiple measurements across a
plane, and °C SPARs increase test repeatability. Very little impedance is imparted to the air-flow
profile.

The °C SPAR is compatible with the °C Port

family of data acquisition instruments to
aggregate sensor data. The C° Port
instrument, paired with the AccuTrac™
Software toolset, collects air velocity, air
temperature, as well as humidity and
altitude (or barometric pressure) data real-
time and displays, saves, reviews, graphs,
and prints without export to another
Figure 6 Multi-Channel Data Acquisition Instrumentation
program. AccuTrac™ is flexible and easy
to use, and data can be saved in common file formats such as .xlsx, .csv and jpeg.

Part 3 of our HVAC Series – Analyzing Airflow discusses available configuration options from
Degree Controls and describes our embedded platform solution for a large duct application.

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Part 3: Configurable Air Velocity Sensing & Controls for Duct Airflow Measurement

Note: Part 2 of our HVAC Series – Analyzing Airflow - °C SPAR is Ideal for Multi-Point In-Duct
Measurements explains why the Degree Controls °C SPAR Sensor Pole Array is ideal for in-duct HVAC
airflow measurement.

Embedded Air Velocity Sensing Platform Provides Versatility:

The embedded air velocity sensing platform by Degree Controls

empowers users with a range of configuration options for the many
diverse industry applications that exist. A variety of velocity ranges,
mechanical lengths, supply voltages, output communication types, as
well as probe and remote head sensor styles are available.

°C SPAR with Analog Output:

For clients with their own data loggers, or where analog based communication and control
systems have been pre-established, the °C SPAR can be configured with our F-Series of air
velocity and temperature sensors. The voltage output may be configured 0-5V or 0-10V, and
can be augmented with simultaneous digital communication for next generation systems.

Embedded Solution for Air Velocity Measurement In-Duct:

Degree Controls has the products and experience to meet the many airflow measurement and
testing scenarios faced by our clients.

We met application specific requirements to:

convey average velocity across a duct area to the client’s BMS (Building Management System)
as a 0-10V analog output

with a set of our F500 series sensors. For this large duct application, the sensors were modified
to communicate in a master/slave arrangement over addressed UART communication:

1. Each slave sensor communicates velocity reading(s) to its neighboring slave, or

master.
2. The master sensor receives velocity readings from all slave sensors.

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Figure 7 Set of F500 Master/Slave Air Velocity & Temperature Sensors

The master sensor first records its own velocity reading and then averages all readings from
sensors in the network. Next, the master sensor uses its 0-10V analog output to transmit the
average velocity to the BMS or monitoring system.

All sensors are powered by universal 24VAC. Sensors are connected with a latching connector
and 0.6 m [2 ft] of cable. The master sensor itself has 2 m [6.6 ft] flying leads to connect to the
BMS system.

The master sensor can communicate to as many as 15 slave sensors. This flexible solution ships
as a kit, and master and slave sensors already addressed.

Part 4 of our HVAC Series – Analyzing Airflow reviews airflow sensors as key elements of HVAC
control systems.

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Part 4: Airflow Sensor is Key Element of HVAC Control System

Note: Part 3 of our HVAC Series – Analyzing Airflow - Configurable Air Velocity Sensing & Controls for Duct
Airflow Measurement discusses available configuration options from Degree Controls and describes our
embedded platform solution for a large duct application.

A well run HVAC control system is conducive to a healthy and

comfortable indoor environment, helps maintain equipment life
expectancy, and helps save costs. The control system is only as
good as its sensing devices. Degree Controls airflow sensors are
key elements of HVAC control systems.

Care should be taken in choosing the right airflow sensor for

your application. Close attention should be paid to both sensor
mounting and location to ensure that it will function according
to published specifications. Here are some sensor
considerations to evaluate: Figure 8 F-Series Air Velocity & Air
Temperature Sensor

 Check the specs against the environment the sensor will

be used in.
 Consider outside influences such as vibration, spray water or debris. Decide if any
special provisions will be needed for protection.
 Determine where the sensor will be mounted. Avoid mounting the sensor in turbulent
locations caused by elbows or duct size changes. Follow ASHRAE best practices.
 Determine the insertion depth needed for the application. The main airflow cavity
surrounding the flow thermistor should be in the center of the duct when the sensor is
installed.
 Be mindful of the size of the airflow probe. A probe may impact
flow and thus airflow measurements in a small cross-sectional
duct. An airflow sensor with remote head or low profile head
may be needed.
 Find out what airflow velocities the sensor is expected to
encounter. Choose the sensor velocity range accordingly.

Figure 9 Sensor Head Options

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 Understand the sensor flow direction and whether it is

non-directional or bidirectional. The main airflow
cavity surrounding the flow thermistor must be
orientated perpendicular to airflow being monitored in
order for it to function as designed.

Figure 10 Orientation Indicator

Figure 11 Airflow Cavity

 Mount the sensor securely. Do not overtighten

°C-Clamps.
 Dress the sensor cable. Allow a sufficient cable
bend radius and loop to prevent stress and
premature wear. The wiring system should
allow for serviceability.
Figure 12 Gland Fitting
 Maintain sensor signal integrity. Avoid Figure 13 °C-Clamp

excessive cable length, and keep cabling

separate from high voltage lines.

CONTACT:
To find out more about Degree Controls’ sensor products and solutions, contact us at 1-877-
degreeC, or visit our website at www.degreeC.com. Email sales inquiries to sales@degreec.com.

Degree Controls, Inc.

18 Meadowbrook Drive
Milford, New Hampshire, 03055
USA

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