
16
Indoor Fan Operation
These units use the Staged Air Volume (SAV) method of controlling
the supply fan for a typical constant volume rooftop unit. This control
method employs an Electronic Commutated Motor (ECM) to
operate the supply fan at different speeds in order to achieve energy
savings through reduced fan power. This method is specifically not
concerned with controlling static pressure in the supply duct, but rather
with setting different fan speeds for different operating conditions,
such as ventilation mode or part--load mechanical cooling.
The SAV function is NOT a Variable Air Volume (VAV) function.
The fan adapts its speed to one of eight based on mode and current
state to satisfy a demand. The eight speeds consist of off (0%) and
seven configurable values. The seven configurable fan speeds are:
Maximum Speed (MAXIMUM IDF SPEED), Ventilation (VENT
IDF SPEED), Heating (HEATING IDF SPD), Free Cool (FREE
COOL IDF SPD), Mechanical Low Cooling (LOW COOL IDF
SPD), Mechanical Medium Cooling (MED COOL IDF SPD),and
Mechanical High Cooling (HIGH COOL IDF SPD),TheECMis
powered direct from the distribution block and is always on with
power applied unless the CB is tripped. When the thermostat or
space sensor control conditions require the fan on, the ECM will
then be ramped to desired speed. Fan speed is always calculated by
evaluating the current applicable conditions. Each fan speed
condition is evaluated independently, and the highest fan speed is
used. For example, if a cooling call occurs during Ventilation
mode, the unit mode will transition to cooling but the fan speed is
set to the higher of the two (VENT IDF SPEED or LOW COOL
IDF SPD). Refer to the speed configurations below for when the
fan will run at them.
The Commanded Fan Speed (OUTPUTSGENERAL
OUTPUTSCOMMANDED IDF RPM) represents the controls
commanded speed for the fan at any given time. This commanded
speed is determined by the unit’s current HVAC mode and the unit
control type. For gas heating units, the IGC fan request output
(InputsGEN.IIGC.F) is monitored by the control. This can result
in additional modification of fan delays or other operation due to
safety functions of the IGC control. See the Gas Heating operation
section for more details. If configured for IAQ fan operation, the fan
may be turned on to satisfy air quality demands. See the Indoor Air
Quality section if using IAQ (indoor air quality) accessory sensors.
The fan can run under thermostat or space sensor control and will
remain on if compressors or heat relays are ever stuck on. If Shut
Down on IDF Failure is enabled (SHUTDOWN IDF FAIL = Yes),
the fan and unit will be shutdown without delay on fan alarm
conditions. Fan off delays are honored when exiting specific HVAC
modes. The Fan--off Delay delays are as follows: Cooling (COOL
FANOFF DELAY), and Heating (HEAT FANOFF DELAY).
Indoor (Supply) Fan Maximum Speed
(MAXIMUM IDF SPEED)
Max speed is the highest fan speed allowed. This is typically set to
deliver design CFM to the space per job requirement. Most safety
conditions for the unit will override the fan speed to this to help
protect the unit.
IMPORTANT: MAXIMUM IDF SPEED is used in the minimum
position curves and therefor important to set properly.
Ventilation Indoor Fan Speed (VENT IDF SPEED)
This configuration defines the fan speed used in Ventilation
(fan--only) mode. Ventilation mode is when the supply fan is
running, but there is no demand for heating or cooling. In
thermostat mode, this is with just a G call. In space sensor control,
this is when the unit is Occupied mode and the indoor fan is
configured to always run while occupied (OCCUPIED FAN?).If
the indoor fan is configured for intermittent fan (OCCUPIED
FAN? = No), the Mode will be off instead of Ventilation and the
fan will not run unless a heating or cooling mode is needed. During
the unoccupied period, the fan will always operate intermittently.
The economizer damper will adjust its position based on how far
away this speed is from max speed for ventilation.
IMPORTANT: It is important that the ventilation rate is checked after
setting this speed to verify that the unit can properly ventilate the space
per requirements. Adjusting this configuration or the economizer
minimum setting curve should be performed to meet job requirements.
Heating Indoor Fan Speed (HEATING IDF SPD)
This configuration defines the fan speed used when in heating
mode and running heat. On units equipped with Gas heat (UNIT
TYPE OF HEAT), this heat speed will be delayed on based on the
IGC’s fan on call (IGC FAN REQUEST). Once the IGC request
the fan the fan will run what this heating speed configuration is set
for until heating is ended. On units configured for Electric heat
(UNIT TYPE OF HEAT) and configured for Preheat without the
fan (PREHEAT W/O IDF), this heat speed will be delayed on
based on the Preheat fan delay time (PREHEAT FAN DELAY).
Once this preheat time has expired or not configured for preheat,
the fan will run at this heat speed while heat is on.
Free Cooling Indoor Fan Speed (FREE COOL IDF SPD)
This configuration defines the initial fan speed used when in Free
Cooling. Refer to the Economizer Controls Operation section for
details on free cooling. The fan will stay at this configured speed
whenever only the damper is being used for free cooling. If the
damper is at 100% for 5 minutes the fan will ramp to the high
cooling speed. It is locked there until the actual damper position
falls below 75% at which time it will ramp back down to this
configured speed.
Low Cooling Indoor Fan Speed (LOW COOL IDF SPD)
This configuration defines the fan speed used when the first stage
of mechanical cooling is being performed.
High Cooling Indoor Fan Speed (HIGH COOL IDF SPD)
This configuration defines the fan speed used when all (full load)
stages of mechanical cooling is being performed. When performing
integrated cooling with the economizer this speed will be used. When
only free cooling with a high cool demand, this speed will be used.
Cooling Operation
The unit’s cooling operation consists of: demand and mode
determination, staging request to satisfy the demand, and handling
a request with the unit’s resources. These resources can include
compressors, Humidi--MiZerRsystem, an economizer, and fan
speed based on options. This section covers mechanical cooling.
For economizer free cooling, refer to the Economizer Operation
section (starting on page 22).
For Humidi--MiZer system operation, refer to the Optional
Humidi--MiZer Dehumidification System section (see page 17).
Cooling Mode Control
The cooling HVAC mode (OPERATING MODE) has 9 different
operating sub modes (SUBMODE): ECON FREE COOLING,
UNOCC. FREE COOL, MECH. COOLING, ECON/MECH
COOLING, DEHUMIDIFICATION, DEHUM/MECH COOLING,
DEHUM PREVENTED, COOLING PREVENTED, and
SHUTTING COOL OFF. These are all part of a general cooling
mode and resemble the specific type of cooling that is being
performed at any given time. All types of cooling are still performed
under the general cooling function, and the expanded text is for user
reference only.
For the unit to enter cooling mode, three things must be true: the
indoor fan must be ok to use, the mode changeover time guard must
be expired, and there must be a cooling or dehumidification demand
(Y1, Y2, space cool demand, or humidity demand). The unit will
remain in cooling for at least one minute or until any of the above
conditions turn false. The cooling mode does not officially end until
the compressor is off and the fan off delay has expired.