AMCA Publication 600-16

Application Manual for

Airflow Measurement Stations

Air Movement and Control Association International

30 W. University Drive
Arlington Heights, Illinois
60004
AMCA Publications

Authority AMCA Publication 600 was approved by the membership of the Air Movement and Control Association
International Inc. on March 4, 2016.

Copyright © 2006 by Air Movement and Control Association International Inc.

All rights reserved. Reproduction or translation of any part of this work beyond that permitted by Sections
107 and 108 of the United States Copyright Act without the permission of the copyright owner is unlawful.
Requests for permission or further information should be addressed to the executive director, Air Move-
ment and Control Association International Inc. at 30 West University Drive, Arlington Heights, IL 60004-
1893 U.S.A.

Objections Air Movement and Control Association International Inc. will consider and take action upon all written
complaints regarding its standards, certification programs or interpretations thereof. For information on
procedures for submitting and handling complaints, write to

Air Movement and Control Association International

30 West University Drive
Arlington Heights, IL 60004-1893 U.S.A.

AMCA International, Incorporated

c/o Federation of Environmental Trade Associations
2 Waltham Court, Milley Lane, Hare Hatch
Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom
RG10 9TH

Disclaimer AMCA uses its best efforts to produce standards for the benefit of the industry and the public in light of
available information and accepted industry practices. However, AMCA does not guarantee, certify or
assure the safety or performance of any products, components or systems tested, designed, installed
or operated in accordance with AMCA standards or that any tests conducted under its standards will be
non-hazardous or free from risk.
Review Committee

Paresh Davé Air Monitor Corporation

Glenn Esser Ruskin Company

Michael Khoury Paragon Controls Inc.

Keith Foszcz Paragon Controls Inc.

Armin Hauer ebm-papst Inc.

Josiah Wiley Ruskin Company

Tim Orris AMCA International Staff

Related AMCA Documents

Related AMCA Publication 11 Damper Application Manual for Heating/ Ventilating and Air Conditioning
Publications
AMCA Publication 611 Certified Ratings Program – Product Rating Manual for Airflow
Measurement Stations

Related ANSI/AMCA Standard 610 Laboratory Methods of Testing Airflow Measurement Stations for
Standards Performance Rating
Contents

1. Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

2. Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

3. Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

3.1 Airflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

3.2 Airflow measurement station (AMS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

3.3 Static pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

3.4 Total pressure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

3.5 Airflow measurement station performance variables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

4. Principles of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

4.1 Types of AMS devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

5. Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

6. Selection Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

6.1 Obstructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

6.2 Operational range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

6.3 Environmental suitability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

6.4 Maintenance access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

7. Locating the AMS in the Air System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

8. Airflow Turndown Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

9. Conditions of Air Being Measured: Temperature, Altitude, Static Pressure and Humidity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

10. Materials of Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

11. Installed Performance Validation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Application Manual for
Airflow Measurement Stations
1. Purpose
This application guide is intended to assist designers and
users with the proper application, performance consider-
ations, selection and limitations of airflow measurement
stations.
This publication provides information and important points to
be considered when designing or specifying heating, venti-
lating and air conditioning (HVAC) and other applications in
installations requiring an airflow measurement station (AMS)
for use in temperatures from -30 °C to +120 °C (-20 °F to
+250 °F), pressures to 250 Pa (10 in. wg) and velocities to
28 m/s (5500 fpm).
2. Scope
The purpose of this document is to help avoid problems
associated with misapplied or incorrectly installed AMSs.
Problems may include incorrect location, inappropriate
measurement range, mismatched accompanying instrumen-
tation and an AMS incompatible with intended application.
This guide provides an overview of permanently installed
AMSs and their application. This publication does not
address portable devices used to measure airflow in test-
and-balance applications.
It is not the intent of this manual to be used for detailed spec-
ifications; rather it serves as a guide toward understanding
the various types of AMSs available and items to be consid-
ered for their proper use.
3. Definitions
3.1 Airflow
A flow of air or an air current, specifically one that passes
through a dimensionally defined plane.
3.2 Airflow measurement station (AMS)
A sensing device that is used to measure the airflow rate
in a system or fan appurtenance. It may consist of a single
sensor or an array of sensors in permanent position in the
air system. It may be supplied as a probe to be inserted into
a ductwork or supplied in a casing approximating the size
of the air system in which it is installed or as an air intake
louver.
3.3 Static pressure
That portion of the air pressure that exists by virtue of the
degree of compression or expansion.
3.4 Total pressure
The air pressure that exists by virtue of the degree of
compression and rate of motion. It is the algebraic sum of
the velocity pressure and the static pressure at a point. Thus
if the air is at rest, the total pressure will equal the static
pressure.
3.5 Airflow measurement station performance
variables
3.5.1 Tested AMS airflow rate (QAMS)
The AMS reported airflow rate or measurement as calcu-
lated according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This
calculation is based upon the output (pressure, current or
voltage) of the AMS.
3.5.2 AMS differential pressure
The observed differential pressure between the high pres-
sure output and the low pressure output of a differential
pressure type AMS.
3.5.3 AMS electronic output
The observed voltage or current output of an electronic
output type AMS that correlates directly and proportionately
to the velocity of airflow in a duct.
3.5.4 Test AMS face area (AFACE)
The total cross sectional area of a louver, duct, wall or AMS
opening.
3.5.5 AMS free area (AFREE)
The minimum area through which air can pass.
4. Principles of Operation
Proper application requires knowledge of the various types
of AMSs and their principles of operation.
The airflow sensing devices used in an AMS include but are
not limited to pitot types, differential pressure types, thermal
dispersions, vortex shedding airflow sensors, orifice plates,
fan inlets or air measurement louvers. These devices are
explained as follows:
AMCA 600-16 | 1
4.1 Types of AMS devices follows the same form as with pitot type devices except that
a flow coefficient (K) value other than one is used in the
4.1.1 Pitot type airflow computation. (See Figure 4.)
A pitot type AMS operates on the principle of measuring the
separate components of total pressure and static pressure Q = 2993 ADUCT K (Pv /ρ)0.5 (SI)
that exist within ducted airflow. The measurement process
consists of subtracting static pressure from total pressure
to obtain velocity pressure, then mathematically converting Q = 1097 ADUCT K (Pv /ρ)0.5 (I-P)
the velocity pressure into units of airflow velocity or volume.
Where:
Q = Airflow rate at actual conditions, m3/s (cfm)
The functions of subtracting static pressure from total pres-
ADUCT = Area inside of duct, m2 (ft2)
sure and conversion of velocity pressure into an analog or
K = A dimensionless constant that pertains to
digital signal is typically performed by a differential pressure
that specific S pitot tube
transducer.
Pv = Velocity pressure in the duct, Pa (in. wg)
ρ = Actual airstream density, kg/m3 (lbm/ft)
Transmitters can be equipped with mathematical computa-
tion capabilities that can convert velocity pressure into an
4.1.3 Orifice plate
analog or digital output corresponding to units of airflow
An orifice plate is a plate having a circular concentric hole
velocity or volume. Figure 1 shows the components of total
that is slightly smaller in diameter than the inside diameter
pressure and static pressure and how they are converted to
of the duct in which it is installed. When air flows through
air velocity measurements.
the orifice plate, the plate creates a differential pressure that
is mathematically related to the airflow velocity. A measure-
Airflow is related to velocity pressure by the formula:
ment of the differential pressure is achieved by measuring
the upstream and downstream static pressure across the
Q = 2993 ADUCT(Pv /ρ)0.5 (SI)
orifice plate using wall static pressure taps. (See Figure 5.)

Q = 1097 ADUCT(Pv /ρ)0.5 (I-P) For an orifice plate, airflow is related to differential pressure
by the formulae:

Where: Q = C (2 ΔP/ρ)0.5 A (SI)

Q = Airflow rate at actual conditions, m3/s (cfm)
ADUCT = Area inside of duct, m2 (ft2)
Pv = Velocity pressure in the duct, Pa (in. wg) Q = C 1097 (2 ΔP/ρ)0.5 A (I-P)
ρ = Actual airstream density, kg/m3 (lbm/ft3)

To obtain airflow measurements, nearly all pitot type AMS

C = Cd (1 / (1 − β ))
4

units use multiple points of pressure measurement to

Where:
traverse the duct cross section, with the multiple points
being pneumatically averaged to produce an average total
Q = Airflow through orifice, m3/s (cfm)
pressure and an average static pressure as output signals.
ΔP = Measured differential pressure across orifice, Pa
(in. wg)
Airflow straighteners are sometimes used on pitot type AMS
ρ = Air density, kg/m3 (lbm/ft3)
devices to reduce both the presence of turbulence and the
A = Area of orifice hole, m2 (ft2)
angularity of the airflow as it passes through the AMS.
C = Orifice flow coefficient
β = d/D
Figure 2 shows a typical AMS with a flow straightener,
Cd = Coefficient of discharge, dimensionless
Figure 3 shows a typical AMS without a flow straightener
and Figure 4 shows a typical S type pitot tube measurement.
Note: Cd is dependent upon the Reynolds number of the
airflow system. Where sharp edge orifice plates are used in
4.1.2 Pitot suction type
the duct system, Cd is also dependent upon the ratio of the
Pitot suction type AMS devices, also known as amplified
orifice diameter to the duct diameter. For values of Cd, refer
pitot type, operate in a manner similar to pitot-type devices
to values for K in ASME PTC 19.5.
except that they use elements that create a suction pres-
sure rather than static pressure. The resulting differential
The function of converting the differential pressure into an
pressure between suction pressure and velocity pressure

2 | AMCA 600-16
electronic output is typically performed by a differential pres-
sure transducer. Differential pressure transmitters can be
equipped with mathematical computation capabilities that
can generate an electronic output corresponding to units of
velocity or airflow volume.
4.1.4 Instrumented fan inlet cone
A fan inlet cone has a flared inlet and a narrow throat for
efficiently receiving and guiding airflow into a rotating fan
impeller. An instrumented fan inlet cone uses pressure taps
to measure the static pressures at both the inlet and near
the throat diameter. The difference between these static
pressures, adjusted for the empirically determined charac-
teristics of the inlet cone, is used as an indication of the fan
airflow. (See Figure 6.)
The technique is based on the Bernoulli and continuity equa-
tions, which allow calculation of flow through a converging
nozzle based upon measurement of the static pressure drop
across the nozzle.
Airflow is related to the static pressure differential by the
formula
Q=k• (ΔP / ρ )
where:
Q = airflow (acfm)
k = inlet cone calibration factor
ΔP = differential pressure across the inlet cone
ρ = actual air density
If the fan inlet is entirely unobstructed, then single pressure
taps at the cone’s inlet and throat will suffice. Otherwise, two
piezometer rings, each consisting of typically four conduit
connected pressure taps, should be used for pneumatically
averaging, and the inlet cone calibration factor should be
established experimentally by test.
4.1.5 Fixed and variable area AMS
A fixed area device employing a screen is designed to
be mounted in a system so that the pressure differential
across the obstruction or orifice can be compared to a chart
or converted to an electric output to determine the airflow
rate. The obstruction may be a perforated plate or cali-
brated orifice with pressure sensing probes on either side
of the obstruction to measure the differential pressure and
compared to an airflow chart.
A variable area device may be a movable damper integrated
into the AMS, in which the differential pressure is measured
at multiple blade angles and integrated into a microproces-
sor to determine airflow rate.
4.1.6 Vortex shedding type
A vortex shedding type AMS operates on the principle that
as airflow passes around a fixed obstruction (bluff body or
shedder), vortices (eddies) are created in the wake of the
obstruction. These vortices, which develop and shed in an
alternating manner from one side of the obstruction to the
other, create pressure pulses that are digitally sensed. (See
Figure 9.)
Multiple sensors are typically used in most ducts to obtain
point velocity measurements across the cross section of the
duct. For each point of measurement, the AMS electronics
convert the shedding frequency into a point velocity and
then average the multiple point velocities to generate an
electronic output corresponding to units of airflow velocity or
volume. (See Figure 10.)
Airflow is related to the frequency of vortex shedding by the
formula:
F = St(V/d)
Where:
F = Frequency of vortex shedding
St = Strouhal number, a constant for the shape
of the shedder over the airflow range
V = Velocity of the airflow
d = Width of the bluff body
4.1.7 Thermal type
A thermal type AMS operates on the principle that there is a
relationship between airflow velocity and the heat dissipating
effect of that airflow upon a heated element. Multiple sensor
pairs are used to obtain point velocity measurements. For
each point of measurement, the AMS converts the power
dissipation and ambient airflow temperature to determine
the velocity. It then averages the multiple point velocities
to generate a temperature compensated electronic output
corresponding to units of duct airflow velocity or volume.
(See Figure 11.)
4.1.8 Air measurement louver
An air measuring louver combines the functions of an
outside air intake louver and an air measuring station in one
assembly. A wind driven rain resistant louver provides air
straightening function for an outside air intake AMS’s veloc-
ity pressure pickup ports. (See Figure 12.)
5. Applications
Accurate airflow measurement devices are necessary to
ensure proper fan control and building ventilation for indoor
air quality. They also ensure ventilation system efficiency.
Additional applications include volumetric synchronization
for space pressurization control, filter loading optimization,
AMCA 600-16 | 3
minimum air change requirements maintenance for health
and safety and required minimum outdoor air measurement
and control. (See Figures 13 through 19 for examples of
AMS applications.)
6. Selection Criteria
When selecting an airflow measurement station, consider-
ation should be given to the following factors.
6.1 Obstructions
Upstream/downstream flow obstructions (turbulence induc-
ing appurtenances) are discussed in detail in Section 7.
6.2 Operational range
The AMS should be capable of operating over the velocity
range of the application. This aspect is discussed in detail
in Section 8.
6.3 Environmental suitability
The AMS design and construction must be suitable for the
airflow environment. Environmental considerations include
temperature, humidity, condensation, water droplets, corro-
sives, process constituents and entrained particulates. This
aspect is discussed in detail in Sections 9 and 10.
6.4 Maintenance access
The installation location of the AMS should be accessible for
maintenance.
7. Locating the AMS in the Air System
To minimize measurement error induced by turbulence,
the manufacturer’s installation requirements should be
observed, along with the following guidelines for selecting
an appropriate location for an AMS device. (Refer to AMCA
Standard 610 for location criteria used to rate the AMS.)
1. On straight runs of duct that do not meet the manufac-
turer’s minimum installation recommendations, the AMS
should be located two-thirds of the distance downstream in
the longest straight run of duct.
2. It is generally recommended that, whenever possible, an
AMS should be located upstream of a turbulence producing
device in the ductwork (elbows, transitions, sound attenua-
tors, fans, branch take-offs, mixing boxes, air blenders, etc.).
3. When locating an AMS near any flow modulating device
(damper, air valve, etc.), the AMS must not be placed imme-
diately downstream of the flow modulating device.
4 | AMCA 600-16
4. When it is necessary to locate an AMS downstream of a
damper, maximize the distance between the damper and
the AMS and use an opposed blade damper rather than a
parallel blade damper.
5. When an AMS is located in close proximity to and down-
stream of an elbow, specify a vaned or sweep elbow.
6. Avoid locating an AMS where airflow is decompressing,
such as immediately downstream of a sound attenuator,
expanding transition, fan discharge, etc.
7. Avoid locations downstream of fan cooling coils, humidi-
fiers, etc., that can introduce condensing moisture into the
airstream.
8. If sufficient straight duct is not available downstream of at
a sharp edged inlet or abrupt transition, the addition of an
inlet cone or bell mouth is recommended.
9. If sufficient straight duct is not available after a turbu-
lence producing device, consider using straightening vanes,
honeycomb or other airflow conditioning device upstream of
the AMS.
8. Airflow Turndown Considerations
Turndown capability of the AMS is defined as the ratio of
maximum to minimum measurable airflow over its designed
operating range. The designer needs to be aware that
different types of AMS device technologies have varying
recommended airflow measurement ranges and turndown
capabilities.
On variable air volume systems, the required turndown for
a particular application is the ratio of the maximum design
airflow to the minimum design airflow.
9. Conditions of Air Being Measured:
Temperature, Altitude, Static Pressure and
Humidity
Technologies differ in their reactions to conditions. The
following factors should be considered with respect to airflow
measurement accuracy at conditions other than standard air
(see definitions in Section 3), as may be referenced by the
AMS manufacturer. The following are examples.
1. Temperature
A cubic meter (cubic foot) of air measured at standard condi-
tions will experience a measurement error of approximately
1% for each 5°C (10°F) deviation from standard conditions.
Therefore, it is recommended that if measurement is made
over a broad range of temperature conditions, then tempera-
ture compensation should be considered. This is particularly
important when measuring outdoor airflow.
2. Altitude
A cubic meter (cubic foot) of air measured at standard condi-
tions will experience a measurement error of 3.4% for each
300 meters (1000 feet) above sea level. Therefore, it is
recommended that consideration be given to compensate
for the change in air density due to altitude.
3. Humidity
Since humidity does not have an appreciable effect (less
than 0.5% measurement variance error for a 50% deviation
in relative humidity from standard conditions), compensa-
tion is not normally necessary. However, care should be
given to avoid any location where the AMS will be exposed
to condensing moisture.
4. Static pressure
A cubic meter (cubic foot) of air measured at standard condi-
tions will experience a measurement error of 0.96% for
each 1000 Pa (4 in. wg) deviation from standard conditions.
Therefore, it is recommended that pressure compensation
be considered at variation greater than 1000 Pa (4 in. wg)
from standard conditions.
10. Materials of Construction
Standard AMS materials of construction are normally suit-
able for environmental HVAC systems. When the AMS will
be exposed to corrosive or other harmful airstream constit-
uents, its materials of construction must be selected for
compatibility.
11. Installed Performance Validation
Caution must be exercised when comparing the readings of
a properly applied and installed AMS to readings produced
by handheld/portable devices such as those typically used
in the process of testing and balancing an air system.
Variances of 10% or greater between the AMS readings and
those obtained via test-and-balance measurement proce-
dures should be expected, representing the cumulative
effect of AMS accuracies, portable instrumentation accura-
cies, traverse methods, installation conditions, temperature,
altitude, pressure and humidity.
These following may be causes of significant differences
between the readings of an AMS and those of portable
devices:
•  The inaccuracies of the portable test instruments
as compared to the AMS. For example, if the AMS
accuracy is ± 2% of reading and the test instrument
is ± 5%, the discrepancy in readings could be as
great as ± 7%, even though all instruments are
within their respective tolerances. Instruments and
procedures commonly used in manual duct travers-
ing are generally accurate to within 5–10% of actual
airflow.
•  Variability and inconsistency in the technique.
Different techniques used by the individual perform-
ing the field measurement can lead to greater than
expected difference between test and balance field
measurements and AMS reported airflow measure-
ment. Additional errors may be introduced when
using multiple AMSs to validate another AMS.
•  Field measurements made at locations that are
inconsistent with specified and recognized stan-
dards. These cannot be considered a reliable
source for validating AMS field measurements.
•  Portable instrument(s) out of calibration or in disre-
pair. Equipment that has not been regularly main-
tained should not be used.
•  Air leakage occurring between the point of field
measurement and the installed location of the AMS.
Leakage can result in air measurements that are
greater or less than expected. Often, air handlers
are serving the same space and cannot be shut
down or isolated when performing calibration
checks. Dampers that are assumed closed may
have significant leakage.
•  Fluctuations and pulsations in the actual airflow
versus the responsiveness and sampling period
of the portable instrumentation. This can produce
readings that are highly variable and unstable.
When an applicable situation arises, time averaging
or applied noise filters should be applied to both
AMS under test and reference instrumentation.
AMCA 600-16 | 5
 PSTATIC

PTOTAL

Pitot Tube
Measurement PSTATIC

PV
PTOTAL

Formula: Velocity Pressure (PV) = PTOTAL - PSTATIC

Figure 1
Pitot Type Airflow Measurement Components

Figure 2
Pitot Type AMS with Flow Straightener

6 | AMCA 600-16
Figure 3
Pitot Type AMS without Flow Straightener

PTOTAL PREFERENCE

‘S’ Type Pitot Tube

Measurement PREFERENCE

PTOTAL PV

Formula: Velocity Pressure (PV) = PTOTAL - PREFERENCE

Figure 4
Pitot Suction Airflow Measurement Components

AMCA 600-16 | 7
 Duct Static Pressure Taps

D D/2

AIRFLOW D d

2
d 
Orifice area = π  
2
Figure 5
Orifice Type AMS

8 | AMCA 600-16
 Inlet
(examplenum b
ple) ox

Low-side static
pressure taps (4x)

Piezometer ring

Stationary fan
inlet cone

AIRF
LOW
Differential
Fan impeller pressure
measurement

Recommended
clearance
D

Impeller
Diameter
D AIRFLOW

Narrow throat

Flared
inlet

Static pressure High-static

difference side pressure tap
∆P

Figure 6
Instrumented Fan Inlet Cone

AMCA 600-16 | 9
 Temperature sensor
mounted in junction box
Inlet reference
Outside reference
signal connection
signal connection

Inlet reference sensor

Height Airflow

Expanded metal Outside reference

sensor

Flange Width Depth

Figure 7
Fixed Area AMS

Airflow

SP

Figure 8
Variable Area AMS TP

10 | AMCA 600-16
 AIRFLOW Vortices

Figure 9
Vortices Generated by a Fixed Obstruction

Figure 10
Vortex Shedding AMS

AMCA 600-16 | 11
Figure 11
Thermal AMS

12 | AMCA 600-16
 Airflow Sensing Blade

Airflow Sensing Blade

AIRFLOW

Total Pressure Static Pressure

Measuring Chamber Measuring Chamber

Figure 12
Air Measurement Louver

AMCA 600-16 | 13
 P H C

F C C SF Supply
VSD Airflow

AMS

Airflow
Processing
Center Airflow Signal
Control Signal

Supply air volume readout and control

Constant air volume control to compensate for filter loading

Figure 13
AMS Application 1

14 | AMCA 600-16
 E.A. O.A.
RF P H C

R.A.

F C C SF
VSD Supply
Airflow

Return
Airflow

AMS AMS

Airflow
Airflow Signal
Processing
Control Signal
Center

Volumetric tracking of return fan with supply for building pressurization

Not recommended for minimum ventilation control

Figure 14
AMS Application 2

AMCA 600-16 | 15
 E.A. O.A.
RF P H C
AMS
M

R.A.

F C C SF
VSD Supply
Airflow
Return
Airflow

Airflow Airflow Signal

Processing Control Signal
Center

Outdoor air volume readout and control

Figure 15
AMS Application 3

16 | AMCA 600-16
 Exhaust
Airflow

AMS

Airflow
Airflow Signal
Processing
Control Signal
Center

Exhaust air volume readout and control

Figure 16
AMS Application 4

AMCA 600-16 | 17
 Space

AMS
Exhaust
Air
AMS

Supply
Air NC M

DP
H L

Airflow
Processing Airflow Signal
Center Control Signal

Space pressurization control by volumetric tracking of exhaust airflow with supply airflow

Note: Tight spaces where air leakage and volume offset are extremely low, the space pressurization is best accomplished using
the direct pressure measurement and control. Monitor space pressure to adjust volume offset.

Figure 17
AMS Application 5

18 | AMCA 600-16
 AMS

Airflow Airflow Signal

Processing Control Signal
Center

Fan inlet air volume measurement

Figure 18
AMS Application 6

AMCA 600-16 | 19
 Wall

Airflow Airflow Signal

Processing Control Signal
Center

Outside air louver

Figure 19
AMS Application 7

20 | AMCA 600-16
 amca international
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Arlington Heights, IL 60004-1893 U.S.
www.amca.org ■ +1 (847) 394-0150 ■ publications@amca.org
The Air Movement and Control Association International Inc. is a not-for-profit association of the world’s
manufacturers of air system equipment, such as fans, louvers, dampers, air curtains, airflow measurement
stations, acoustic attenuators and other air system components for the industrial and commercial markets.