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Troubleshooting Variable Air Volume
Troubleshooting Variable Air Volume
Troubleshooting Variable Air Volume
TECHNICAL BULLETIN
Introduction......................................................................................................... 3
Key Concepts...................................................................................................... 5
Troubleshooting VAV System Operation .........................................................................5
Hardware Concerns.........................................................................................................6
VMA Control Performance Measures ..............................................................................9
Occupant Hot/Cold Complaints .....................................................................................12
VMA LED Indicator Status .............................................................................................14
Tools for Detecting Communication Problems ...............................................................14
N2 Bus Communication Problems .................................................................................14
Zone Bus Problems .......................................................................................................15
Lack of Heat During Commissioning..............................................................................16
Detailed Procedures......................................................................................... 17
Detecting Airflow and Temperature Problems................................................................17
Troubleshooting Airflow Leakage at a Fully Closed Damper..........................................20
Troubleshooting Low Air Velocity...................................................................................20
Correcting Distorted Flow Patterns Due to Duct Design ................................................20
Correcting Unstable Sensor (AI) Readings ....................................................................21
Checking Flow Problems by Verifying Velocity Pressure Sensor Operation ..................22
Checking Airflow Pickups for Debris or Water................................................................22
Checking for Incorrectly Wired Sensors and Misapplied Room Assignments ................23
Troubleshooting Balancer’s Flow Reading.....................................................................24
Detecting Communication Problems Using the VMA LED .............................................24
Identifying N2 Bus Configuration Problems ...................................................................25
Testing for N2 Bus Opens, Shorts, and Crossed Wires .................................................26
Verifying Proper Transformer Installation.......................................................................27
Introduction
Although the Variable Air Volume Modular Assembly (VMA) has
been designed to provide years of reliable service, problems can
develop in the related building and Heating, Ventilating, and Air
Conditioning (HVAC) systems. Problems involving the VMA usually
surface in the form of occupant comfort issues or communication
failures. The causes of these problems range from device failures to
HVAC system maintenance and design issues, installation errors, or
changes in use of a zone. Troubleshooting must consider all of these
variables.
Note: This document focuses on the VMA1410, 1420, and
1430 controllers. The VMA1400 Series also includes the
VMA1440, which is used exclusively as part of the
Metasys Zoning Package. See the Metasys Zoning Package
Product Bulletin (LIT-639050) and the Metasys Zoning
Package Overview Technical Bulletin (LIT-639100) for
information on this specialized product.
This document describes how to:
• detect airflow and temperature problems
• troubleshoot airflow leakage at a fully closed damper
• troubleshoot low air velocity
• correct distorted flow patterns due to duct design
• correct unstable sensor (Analog Input [AI]) readings
• check flow problems by verifying velocity pressure sensor
operation
• check airflow pickups for debris or water
4 Troubleshooting VMA1400 Series Controllers Technical Bulletin
Key Concepts
Troubleshooting Variable Air Volume (VAV) System Operation
Controller Configuration Problems
Mechanical, flow, and wiring problems occur far more often than
configuration problems. This is especially true since
Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) loop tuning is automatic with
the VMA.
As a rule of thumb, ensure all the equipment and wiring in the system
checks out before investigating errant configuration parameters in
HVAC PRO software.
Refer to the HVAC PRO User’s Guide for more information when
reviewing VMA configuration parameters.
Hardware Concerns
Sensor Errors
Zone temperature and pressure sensor errors can cause control
problems. The Analog Input (AI) range may be improperly selected in
the HVAC PRO configuration file. The sensor may need an offset for
cable length. This offset, whose default value is -0.8°C (-1.5°F), is an
attribute of the Zone Temperature AI. In addition, the sensor may be
improperly installed or an element may be damaged. Sensor errors can
occur when the temperature sensor is affected by the sun, other zones,
or supply air from the diffuser.
In the worst case, the Differential Pressure (DP) sensor may drift up to
±0.1793 Pascal per °C (±0.0004 inch W.C. per °F). This is usually
insignificant. However, it may produce noticeable flow measurement
error during periods of large ambient temperature change. Examples of
such periods are transitions between unoccupied and occupied, or
during project startup when electrical power may be off and building
temperature is not controlled. The controller autocalibrates the DP
sensor every two weeks by default to offset the long term affects of
temperature and humidity changes. If greater flow measurement
accuracy is required at low flow rates where box inlet velocity is under
1 m/s (200 fpm [feet per minute]), the Autocalibration Period can be
reduced to recalibrate every three hours.
Damper/Actuator Operation
Damaged damper seals, bent damper blades, poorly designed dampers,
or a mis-aligned actuators can cause air leakage during the fully closed
position. This causes a small offset that the Balancer can usually
compensate for. However, if tight shutoff is required for the
application, replace the defective VAV box.
Troubleshooting VMA1400 Series Controllers Technical Bulletin 7
Ductwork Design
Air velocity is non-uniform if turns or transitions in hard duct or sags
in flexible duct are within close proximity to the flow pickups. In this
case, the pickup ports may not represent the true average air velocity.
In addition, different flow rates may distinctly change the velocity
profile.
A minimum of three duct diameters of straight, unrestricted duct
upstream from the airflow pickups is recommended. The flow profile
problem can be corrected by installing straightening vanes in the
offending duct section or changing the duct configuration to provide
greater separation between the transition and the pickup.
Flow rate measurement problems can also be caused by a duct length
that causes significant pressure drop or by sags present in flexible duct.
This can also be avoided by installing hard duct three diameters in
length, starting at the VAV box inlet.
Air Flow
Static Pressure
Total Pressure
Duct Wall
Airflow
Following are typical flow pickup designs. Usually the cross and ring
types perform better than straight tubes because the sensing ports are
better distributed across the duct area.
Sensing Ports
Balancing Errors
Pressure independent VAV control jobs frequently require accuracy
within 5-10% of actual flow and indicated flow. The balancing
contractor must adjust and certify the flow rates specified by the
consulting engineer. Sometimes the Balancer’s readings disagree with
flow indicated by the controller.
When airflow readings disagree, a problem may exist or some air
delivery system fact may not be known or understood. There are
margins for error in the measurement equipment used by the
controller, as well as that used by the Balancer. Therefore, it is
important that both controls contractors and Balancers understand each
other’s equipment, techniques, and expectations.
Troubleshooting VMA1400 Series Controllers Technical Bulletin 11
Detailed Procedures
Detecting Airflow and Temperature Problems
To detect airflow and temperature problems:
1. Connect a PC running HVAC PRO software to the VMA for the
VAV box you are testing.
2. On the Options menu, click Commissioning View.
3. Click Parameters to view the Parameters list box. Scroll and
observe parameters from Table 5 for problems.
4. On the Action menu, click VAV Box Flow Test to detect the
problems listed in Table 5. Use the Flow Test Parameters in Table
4. Refer to the HVAC PRO User’s Guide for more information on
how to set up this diagnostic.
Table 7: Actuator Rotation Stroke Times for the VMA1410/1420 (Damper full
closed to full flow open)
Damper Rotation (Degrees) Nominal Stroke Time (Seconds)
90 30
60 20
45 15
30 10
Note: These times may vary when an external actuator is used (VMA1430).
20 Troubleshooting VMA1400 Series Controllers Technical Bulletin
VMA VMA
Room Room
Sensor Sensor
Miswired
VMA VMA
Room Room
Sensor Sensor
Crossed
Controls Group
507 E. Michigan Street
P.O. Box 423 www.johnsoncontrols.com
Milwaukee, WI 53201 Printed in U.S.A.