Air Distribution 119

Figure 8-3. Rectangular exhaust duct, uninsulated.

can be absorbed by the box lining. The boxes are lined with fi-
berglass which also provides thermal insulation so the condi-
tioned air within the box won’t be heated or cooled by the air
in the spaces surrounding the box. Terminal boxes work off
static pressure in the duct system. Each box has a minimum in-
let static pressure requirement (typically 0.75” to 1") to over-
120 HVAC Fundamentals

come the pressure losses through the box plus any losses
through the discharge duct, volume dampers, and outlets.

Constant Volume Single Duct Terminal Box

A constant volume single duct terminal box (Figure 8-4) is a
single inlet box supplied with air at a constant volume and tem-
perature (typically cool air). Air flowing through the box is con-
trolled by a manually operated damper or a mechanical constant
volume regulator. The mechanical volume regulator uses springs
and perforated plates or damper blades which decrease or in-
crease the available flow area as the pressure at the inlet to the
box increases or decreases. A reheat coil (water, steam, or electric)
may be installed in the box or immediately downstream from it.
A room thermostat controls the coil.

Constant Volume Dual Duct Terminal Box

Constant volume dual duct terminal boxes (Figure 8-5) are
supplied by separate hot and cold ducts through two inlets. The
boxes mix warm or cool air as needed to properly condition the
space and maintain a constant volume of discharge air. Dual
duct boxes may use a mechanical constant volume regulator
with a single damper motor to control the supply air. The mix-
ing damper is positioned by the motor in response to the room
thermostat. As the box inlet pressure increases, the regulator
closes down to maintain a constant flow rate through the box.
Another type of constant flow regulation uses two motors, two
mixing dampers and a pressure sensor to control flow and tem-
perature of the supply air. The motor connected to the hot duct
inlet responds to the room thermostat and opens or closes to
maintain room temperature. The motor on the cold duct inlet is
also connected to the room thermostat but through a relay
which senses the pressure difference across the sensor. The mo-
tor opens or closes the damper on the cold duct inlet to (1)
maintain room temperature and (2) maintain a constant pres-
sure across the sensor and therefore, a constant volume through
the box.