TEC BlowerDoor Standard User manual

Minneapolis BlowerDoor
Model 4.1 with DG-1000
TECTITE Express version 5.1
BlowerDoor
Standard

Minneapolis BlowerDoor
manufactured by The Energy Conservatory, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Sole Agency for Europe, Springe-Eldagsen, Germany
Copyrighted and published by
BlowerDoor GmbH
MessSysteme für Luftdichtheit
Zum Energie- und Umweltzentrum 1
D-31832 Springe-Eldagsen
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
[e-mail]
www.blowerdoor.com
All rights reserved. This Reference Guide including all illustrations is copyright protected. Any use beyond the scope of use granted
by copyright law without prior approval of the publishers is unlawful and can be prosecuted. This particularly applies to copying,
translating, microfilming, as well as storing and processing in electronic systems.
THE ENERGY CONSERVATORY

Table of Contents
BlowerDoor Standard January 2022 3
Table of Contents
Safety Instructions ......................................................................................................................... 7
1Introduction: The BlowerDoor Standard Measurement System................................................ 9
1.1 Overview: Setup with with digital communication via WiFi connection................................ 9
1.2 Overview: Setup with digital communication via USB connection....................................... 10
1.3 Applications .......................................................................................................................... 11
2Installation........................................................................................................................... 12
2.1 System Requirements........................................................................................................... 12
2.2 Installing TECTITE Express..................................................................................................... 12
2.3Installing the DG-1000 .......................................................................................................... 13
2.3.1 Installing the DG-1000 using USB-C port................................................................. 15
2.3.2 Wireless connection of the DG-1000 (WiFi)............................................................ 17
2.3.2.1 Connection via the integrated WiFi module.............................................. 17
2.3.2.2 Connection to an existing WiFi network.................................................... 20
2.3.3 Installing the DG-1000 using Ethernet port ............................................................ 23
2.3.4 Testing whether TECTITE Express recognizes the DG-1000 .................................... 26
3Components of the BlowerDoor Standard Measurement System ........................................... 29
3.1 Measuring fan and speed controller..................................................................................... 29
3.2 DG-1000................................................................................................................................ 30
3.2.1 Overview of the DG-1000........................................................................................ 31
3.2.2 Applications............................................................................................................. 31
3.3 Mounting frame and panel................................................................................................... 32

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4 January 2022 BlowerDoor Standard
4Installing the BlowerDoor Measurement System ................................................................... 33
4.1 Installing the tubing for measuring outside pressure........................................................... 34
4.2 Installing the mounting frame and panel ............................................................................. 34
4.3 Installing the BlowerDoor fan, flow rings, and speed controller.......................................... 39
4.4 Connecting tubing to fan and nylon panel ........................................................................... 42
4.5 Connecting the Pressure Gauge DG-1000 ............................................................................ 43
4.5.1 Power supply for the DG-1000................................................................................ 43
4.5.2 Connecting the DG-1000 to the fan speed controller............................................. 44
4.5.3 Connecting the DG-1000 to a laptop....................................................................... 44
4.5.4 Connecting the tubing to the DG-1000................................................................... 45
4.6 Overview of the Negative Pressure Test and Positive Pressure Test ................................... 46
4.6.1 Overview of the negative pressure test / depressurization measurement ............ 46
4.6.2 Overview of the positive pressure test / pressurization measurement.................. 47
5Computer-Controlled Tests with TECTITE Express................................................................... 48
5.1 Leakage Detection at Constant Negative Pressure with TECTITE Express............................ 53
5.2 Taking a Series of Measurements with TECTITE Express...................................................... 55
5.2.1 Automated Measurement....................................................................................... 55
5.2.2 Semi-automated Measurement.............................................................................. 58
6Creating a test report............................................................................................................ 60
6.1 Detailed Test Report............................................................................................................. 61
6.2 Test Graph............................................................................................................................. 62
6.3 Creating a PDF File of the Test Reports ................................................................................ 62
6.4 Putting Business Name and Logo on the Reports................................................................. 63

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7Leakage Detection Using the DG-1000’s Cruise Control (without laptop)................................. 64
7.1 Conducting the Test.............................................................................................................. 65
7.2 Notes on the DG-1000 Display.............................................................................................. 70
7.2.1 Display of air flow at 50 Pascal................................................................................ 70
7.2.2 Display of other specific values on channel B ......................................................... 70
7.2.3 Input of building area and building volume ............................................................ 70
Appendix A: Technical Data.......................................................................................................... 73
A.1 Minneapolis BlowerDoor Measuring Fan (Model 4.1) ......................................................... 73
A.2 Digital Pressure Gauge DG-1000........................................................................................... 74
A.3 Software TECTITE Express..................................................................................................... 75
A.4 BlowerDoor Mounting Frame and BlowerDoor Panel.......................................................... 76
Appendix B: Calibration, Maintenance, and Care........................................................................... 77
B.1 DG-1000................................................................................................................................ 77
Software-Update .................................................................................................................. 77
Calibration............................................................................................................................. 78
Safety, warnings and troubleshooting information.............................................................. 78
Lithium Ion battery (rechargeable)....................................................................................... 79
Touch screen –use and care ................................................................................................ 80
Maintenance......................................................................................................................... 80
B.2 BlowerDoor Fan.................................................................................................................... 81
Calibration parameters for Models 4 and 4.1....................................................................... 81
Calibration............................................................................................................................. 82
Range of ring......................................................................................................................... 82
Maintenance......................................................................................................................... 83
Testing the motor position ................................................................................................... 83

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Testing the flow sensor......................................................................................................... 84
Cleaning the fan.................................................................................................................... 84
B.3 Fan Speed Controller ............................................................................................................ 85
Replacing the fuse................................................................................................................. 85
Appendix C: Expansion Capabilities of the BlowerDoor Measurement System................................ 88
Our Service Offer ......................................................................................................................... 94
Guarantee ................................................................................................................................... 96
EC-Declaration of Conformity ....................................................................................................... 98

Safety Instructions
BlowerDoor Standard January 2022 7
Safety Instructions
Please follow all safety instructions provided when used with any BlowerDoor products.
The BlowerDoor fan should only be connected to a properly installed and tested power
supply. In case of emergencies, disconnect the power cord from the AC power mains
outlet. During installation, use the nearest readily accessible power outlet and keep all
objects away from interfering with access to the outlet.
•Disconnect the power plug from the BlowerDoor fan receptacle before examining or making any
adjustments to the fan motor, blades or electrical components.
•The BlowerDoor fan is a very powerful and potentially dangerous piece of equipment if not used
and maintained properly. Carefully examine the fan before each use. If the fan housing, fan
guards, blade, controller or cords become damaged, do not operate the fan until repairs have
been made. Repairs should only be made by qualified repair personnel.
•If you notice any unusual noises or vibrations, stop and unplug the fan. If you can’t find the source
of the problem, contact the manufacturer/distributor. Make sure that there is sufficient clearance
between the tips of the fan blades and the fan housing. Examine the motor for excessive dust
build-up. Use a vacuum to remove the dust, or blow out the dust with compressed air.
•Keep people, animals and objects away from the BlowerDoor fan when it is operating.
•Press the power plug firmly into the power receptacle on the BlowerDoor fan, and the AC power
mains outlet. Failure to do so can cause overheating of the power cord and possible damage.
•Do not use ungrounded outlets or adapter plugs. Never remove or modify the grounding prong.
Use only approved and inspected electrical wiring and connections. If using a power extension
cord, use an extension cord with a core cross section of at least 1.5 mm2(i.e. type H07 RRF).
•Do not operate the BlowerDoor fan if the motor, controller or any of the electrical connections are
wet.
•For long-term operation, such as maintaining building pressure while air-sealing, use a flow ring
whenever possible to ensure proper cooling of the BlowerDoor fan motor. This will minimize the
heating of the fan and is important in warmer weather.
•The motor is thermally protected and if you experience a motor shut down, be sure to turn off the
fan speed controller so that the fan does not restart unexpectedly after the motor cools down.

Safety Instructions
8 January 2022 BlowerDoor Standard
•Before connecting the speed controller to the fan, be sure that the toggle switch of the controller
is at zero and that the control knob is turned completely to the left (counterclockwise).
•The operator should wear hearing protection when in close proximity to the fan operating at high
speed.
•In order to prevent the generation of excess building pressure, start each BlowerDoor
measurement with a small ring, typically a C-ring.
•During an airtightness test, the building envelope and the BlowerDoor mounting frame experience
a force of up to 5 kg/m2. In order to withstand this force, the mounting frame must be installed
properly; otherwise it may pop out of the door opening. The mounting frame must be reinstalled if
the pressure loosens it. Once properly installed, the mounting frame can easily withstand
pressures of up to 100 Pa.
•Keep the area around the fan clear of obstacles. Maintain a clearance of 1 to 2 meters around the
fan so that nothing obstructs the air flow into and out of the fan. Also keep at least 30 cm free to
the sides of the fan air intake. The operator should stand to the side of the fan rather than directly
in front of it in order to prevent obstructions to air flow.
•Open flames in boilers, fireplaces, and furnaces must be extinguished before starting the test. Any
open flame during the test is a potential fire hazard. Additionally, the fan could suck smoke or
other by-products of the flame into the building, creating a safety hazard. Fireplaces that share a
chimney with the area being tested may not be in operation during the test.
•Equipment safety measures may be compromised if the BlowerDoor system is used in a manner
other than recommended in this document, and the BlowerDoor system operation manual.

1 Introduction: The BlowerDoor Standard Measurement System
BlowerDoor Standard January 2022 9
1Introduction: The BlowerDoor Standard Measurement System
1.1 Overview: Setup with with digital communication via WiFi connection
1
BlowerDoor fan
6
Fan speed controller
2
BlowerDoor panel standard size
7
Fan control cable [connection DG-1000 –
3
BlowerDoor mounting frame standard size
controller]
4
Set of tubes [connection fan –DG-1000,
8
Set of tubes [capture outside pressure, inside
red and blue (3 m each)]
green (3 m), outside transparent (10 m)]
5
Digital pressure gauge DG-1000
Fig. 1.1: Recommanded set-up of the BlowerDoor standard Measurement System with pressure gauge DG-1000
(here: WiFi connection); see details → Chap. 2.3.2.1 and Chap. 4.

1 Introduction: The BlowerDoor Standard Measurement System
10 January 2022 BlowerDoor Standard
1.2 Overview: Setup with digital communication via USB connection
1
BlowerDoor fan
6
Digital pressure gauge DG-1000
2
BlowerDoor panel standard size
7
Fan speed controller
3
BlowerDoor mounting frame standard size
8
Fan control cable [connection DG-1000 –
4
USB data cable [DG-1000 –laptop]
controller]
5
Set of tubes [connection fan –DG-1000,
9
Set of tubes [capture outside pressure, inside
red and blue (3 m each)]
green (3 m), outside transparent (10 m)]
Fig. 1.2: Set-up of the BlowerDoor standard Measurement System with USB connection between pressure gauge
DG-1000 and laptop computer; see details → Chap. 2.3.1 and Chap. 4.
.

1 Introduction: The BlowerDoor Standard Measurement System
BlowerDoor Standard January 2022 11
1.3 Applications
The BlowerDoor measurement system is a diagnostic tool used to assess the airtightness of buildings.
Typical uses:
•Assessing airtightness respectively air permeability in new buildings and comparing the results
with legal requirements such as the Energy Conservation Act
•Locating leaks during construction (of single family homes, apartments, schools, gymnasiums, etc.)
•Assessing the leakiness of old buildings prior to renovation
•Quality assurance and airtightness testing in passive houses
•Special testing-for clean rooms (operating rooms, laboratories), etc.

2 Installation
12 January 2022 BlowerDoor Standard
2Installation
2.1 System Requirements
Operating system
TECTITE Express software and drivers run on computers with the full versions of the following
operating system:
•Windows 7
•Windows 8
•Windows 10
•Windows 11
Computer
The computer/notebook/laptop must meet the following requirements:
•Pentium 233-MHZ-Processor
•512 MB RAM
•Internet connection for the installation of USB device driver of DG-1000
•USB port (2.0 or above) or Ethernet port or WLAN interface
•The connected computer is required to comply with IEC 60950-1 or equivalent standards on data
port electrical safety isolation.
2.2 Installing TECTITE Express
TECTITE Express is a steering program. With it, you can control the BlowerDoor measurement system
over a computer as well as conduct automated tests.
For the automated and semi-automated BlowerDoor measurement, you also need to install the
differential pressure gauge DG-1000 (→Chap. 2.3) in addition to the TECTITE Express software.
The software installation is performed in the following steps:
•After the software download, double-click the file “TECTITE Express Version Setup.exe”. to start
the installation.
•Follow the instructions of the installation program.

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BlowerDoor Standard January 2022 13
The installation of TECTITE Express is followed by the installation of the TEC PDF Writer necessary for
providing a printable protocol of the measurement.
After installation TECTITE Express can be started by clicking the icon on the desktop.
Test File
In the download folder there are samples of building test files of measurements with BlowerDoor
Standard (with model 4 fan) and with BlowerDoor MiniFan (with DuctBlaster B); each with the file
extension .bld. Open this file in the TECTITE Express and work on it. It is not necessary to set up or
connect the measuring equipment to work in the file.
Additional information on the use of the program can be found in Chap. 5.
2.3 Installing the DG-1000
There are different options for connecting your DG-1000 gauge to your laptop computer to create the
two-way communication link needed for automated testing with TECTITE Express:
•Connection with a USB data cable using the USB-C interface (→Chap. 2.3.1)
•Wireless connection between gauge and laptop computer using the build-in WiFi module of
DG-1000 (creating and broadcasting a Wireless Network) or by joining an existing WLAN network
(→Chap. 2.3.2).
•Connection with Ethernet cable and a router. The router must be running DHCP Server. A standard
Ethernet switch can also be used, as long as it is connected to a device running a DHCP server.
(→Chap. 2.3.3).
Note:
You must first install the DG-1000 via the USB-C interface (→Chap. 2.3.1). If desired, you can
then install one of the other connections. Following each installation check whether TECTITE Express
recognizes the DG-1000 (→Chap. 2.3.4).

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14 January 2022 BlowerDoor Standard
Fig. 2.1: DG-1000 ports
DG-1000 connection options
The following interfaces are used to create a
link between the DG-1000 and the computer.
The build-in WiFi module creates and broad-
casts a wireless network that can be used to
wireless connect the DG-1000 gauge to a
computer or mobile device. The WiFi module
also can join an existing wireless network
(typically a router). This option can be used to
connect the DG-1000 to a computer, or to
create a network of multiple gauges that can
connect to a computer.
The USB-C port on the DG-1000 can be used to
create a communication link between the
differential pressure gauge and a Windows
computer using a USB data cable (USB 2.0 or
above).
The Ethernet port on the gauge can be used to
create a communication link with a router (the
router must be running DHCP Server).
Note: The USB A port on the DG-1000 is not
designed for digital communication to a
computer, but for using accessories such as a
keyboard.
Bluetooth communication is intended only for
connection with TEC apps installed on Android
or iOS devices.
For an overview of all DG-1000 connections please see Chap. 3.2.1.
Ethernet
port
USB-C port
build-in
WiFi-module

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BlowerDoor Standard January 2022 15
2.3.1 Installing the DG-1000 using USB-C port
Use of the USB-C port requires you to first download from the Internet and install the appropriate USB
device driver to the computer.
Required for installation:
•DG-1000
•USB data cable (USB 2.0 or above)
•Laptop/computer with internet connection
Installing the USB device driver:
•Make sure the computer is connected to the internet.
•Windows Update on the computer must be configured to allow downloading and installation of
driver software.
Fig. 2.2
•Turn on the DG-1000 pressure gauge by pressing
and holding the power button for approx. 3
seconds until the green power indicator light
turns on, and wait until the DG-1000 is booted.
The bootup process may take some seconds to
complete, and the gauge is ready to be used
when the home screen appears (shown below).
Fig. 2.3
•To enable the USB-C port on the DG-1000 gauge
touch “Settings” on the home screen.

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Fig. 2.4
•Select “Network Configuration”.
Fig. 2.5
•Select “USB C” from the Network Configuration
options.
The networking status in the Network
Configuration screen will show “Not Connected”.
Fig. 2.6
•Connect the DG-1000 to your laptop via the
USB-C interface using a USB data cable (USB 2.0
or higher).
•The appropriate device driver software is
searched for on the Internet and installed.

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BlowerDoor Standard January 2022 17
Fig. 2.7
•Once the driver is installed, the networking status
in the Network Configuration screen of the gauge
will update to say “Connected.”
TEC software installed on the laptop computer will now be able to detect the DG-1000 and create a
communication link.
2.3.2 Wireless connection of the DG-1000 (WiFi)
The DG-1000’s built-in WiFi module can be configured to create and broadcast a wireless network that
can be connected to directly from a computer or mobile device (→Chap. 2.3.2.1). The DG-1000 can
join an existing wireless network (→Chap. 2.3.2.2).
2.3.2.1 Connection via the integrated WiFi module
Fig. 2.8
•Turn on the DG-1000 pressure gauge by pressing
and holding the power button for approx. 3
seconds until the green power indicator light
turns on, and wait until the DG-1000 is booted.
The bootup process may take some seconds to
complete, and the gauge is ready to be used
when the home screen appears (shown below).

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18 January 2022 BlowerDoor Standard
Fig. 2.9
•To enable WiFi (Create Network) touch “Settings”
on the home screen.
Fig. 2.10
•Select “Network Configuration”.
Fig. 2.11
•Select “WiFi (Create Network)” from the Network
Configuration options.
•The DG-1000 will begin broadcasting a secured
wireless network with the following settings
SSID: DG1000-(serial number of gauge)
Password: dg1000pw

2 Installation
BlowerDoor Standard January 2022 19
Fig. 2.12
•Select and connect to the DG-1000’s wireless network on a
computer or mobile device.
To connect to this network, you will be asked for a password.
The default password is: dg1000pw.
Note:
If your laptop is already connected to another wireless network, you must disconnect from this
network before establishing the connection to the DG-1000’s wireless network. The DG-1000 must be
on, in order for the WiFi network to be visible on your laptop.
TEC software installed on the computer or mobile device should now be able to detect the gauge and
create a communication link.
The DG-1000‘s wireless network simply connects the pressure gauge to the computer or mobile
device. There is no connection to the Internet. Occasionally this will be displayed on the
computer or mobile device.
Fig. 2.13
For strong wireless connection we recommend to switch
the Wireless Adapter Settings for battery and cable connection on
„Maximum Performance”.
If interference on the WiFi Channel is suspected, follow these steps to broadcast on a different AP
Channel at DG-1000.

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20 January 2022 BlowerDoor Standard
Fig. 2.14
•Select “WiFi (Create Network)” from the Network
Configuration options.
•Then select “Configuration”.
Fig. 2.15
•Touch AP Channel and enter in a different
number between 1 and 11.
Confirm with “OK” and then apply the
configuration.
2.3.2.2 Connection to an existing WiFi network
The DG-1000 can join a wireless network using one of these methods.
•The DG-1000 can search for nearby wireless networks and populate a list so one can be selected
and joined.
•A wireless network name (SSID) can be manually typed in, searched for and then joined.
Fig. 2.16
•Turn on the DG-1000 pressure gauge by pressing
and holding the power button for approx. 3
seconds until the green power indicator light
turns on, and wait until the DG-1000 is booted.
The bootup process may take some seconds to
complete, and the gauge is ready to be used
when the home screen appears (shown below).