Onsite Seminars

Digital Direct Control Systems

This course is designed to introduce HVAC personnel to the concepts of computer Direct Digital Control systems. Individuals who attend this seminar should have a good background in HVAC systems and conventional (pneumatic and/or electronic) control principles. Attendees to this seminar can expect to gain a good theoretical and practical working knowledge of the operations of DDC control systems.

Summary of control systems types (electronic, pneumatic, computer) and their advantages and disadvantages. Control fundamentals such as two-position, modulating, proportional integral derivative. Sequencing of pneumatic actuators. Electric and electronic fundamentals. Ohm's Law, voltage, current and resistance principles and formulas. AC and DC circuits. Series, parallel and series/parallel circuitry. Relay logic. Microprocessor and computer operation and concepts. How a computer processes input information from sensors to output devices to perform HVAC control program. Operation of a PC and its component parts. Basic Windows commands and structure. Prior personal computer experience is not necessary. We will address basic personal computer (PC) operations during the seminar.

Input and output devices. Temperature, humidity and pressure sensors. Transducers used for pneumatic interface. Thermistors, Balco, platinum, solid state temperature sensors. Temperature, humidity and pressure transmitters. relays, E.P.s and Transducers using 4-20ma, 0-10VDC and PMW input values. PC's will be available at each simulator station for use. Class will be divided into no more than 3 personnel per simulator station for practical training on DDC hardware. Each station has a DDC control panel, 486 personal computer and various input and output devices for control simulations. Pneumatic valves and damper operators are included with transducer interface from the DDC.

The control software. How to design, implement and debug the operations program of a DDC control system. Comparison of an electric ladder diagram on a programmable controller to an operations program. How to translate from a good operational sequence of operations into an effective DDC program. A mouse selected, menu driven programming language will be used to allow easy intuitive programming of the DDC panels. Various control strategies will be set up to include converters, air handling units and chiller operations sequences. All simulators are shown in real time on graphics of the systems being simulated. The simulators allow the students to manually change temperature (simulated) input value to the DDC controllers and observe the resulting output values (analog or two-position) to the terminal control devices.

Continuation of Wednesday format on designing, programming and debugging an operations program for DDC. How to test and troubleshoot the DDC control system hardware and software. Testing of temperature, humidity, and pressure sensors. Troubleshooting output devices such as pilot relays, E.P.s and transducers.

Reading and understanding the DDC control drawings. Various control prints will be examined for the information conveyed on the control system drawing. Systems drawings brought in by the attendees can be used if applicable. How to insure that quality understandable drawings are available for operations personnel to use for troubleshooting and operation. How to work with a controls installation contractor to insure a good DDC installation. How to keep the system to the KISS principle of design (Keep It Simple Stupid). Learning to control the technology rather than the technology controlling you.

NOTE: Each attendee will receive a DDC textbook, various manufacturers' data sheets and a completion certificate.

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Advanced DDC Control Systems

This course is designed to provide an understanding of advanced concepts and operations of Direct Digital Control systems. Individuals who attend this seminar should have a good background of HVAC systems, conventional control principles (pneumatic and/or DDC) and feel comfortable with the use of a personal computer. Attendees to this seminar can expect to gain a good theoretical and practical knowledge of advanced DDC control systems.

Monday

Review of HVAC theory and principles. Summary of control system system types (electronic, pneumatic, computer) and their advantages and disadvantages. Review of pneumatic control principles to include DA, RA, spring ranges, NO, NC, sequencing, etc. Windows operating environment. Most of the operations programs today for DDC are being written under the Windows environment. Notebooks with separate  monitors will be available at each simulator station for practical experience with the DDC software. Tuesday

Advanced Input and Output (IO) devices. Temperature, humidity, dewpoint, enthalpy pressure, current, watt, flow and status sensors. Current (I), Voltage (E), Pneumatic (P) and Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) transducers. Calibration of 4-20 ma transmitters and transducers. A transmitter will be calibrated on the training simulators using decade box substitution. Each simulator station has an array of sensors, transducers, EP's, pilot relays, etc. to allow hands-on experience with the various I/O devices.

Programming the DDC. Translating the sequence of operation for an HVAC control system into an operations program for a DDC system. The system used to program the training simulators uses state-of-the-art graphic programming. Using a graphic approach allows complex control algorithms to be compiled into easy to understand and configure graphic blocks. It also allows easy changing and documenting (printing) of the HVAC control program. This mouse driven programming language is certainly the future of DDC and integrates very well into the Windows graphic operating environment. Various HVAC control systems will be configured on the simulators. Systems to be created and programmed include reheat air handling unit, economizer cycle, reset HWS, VAV with static pressure control of fan volume, etc.

Continuation of the Wednesday format of programming, editing and debugging of DDC systems. Communications and networking architecture options for DDC. LAN strategies and modern communications techniques. Advantages and tuning of P, PI and PID control sequences to allow a better understanding of the principles involved. The simulators will allow real-time observations of the tuning process of the P, I and D values in the control loop.

Specifications generation and commissioning of a DDC system. How to convert a sequence of operations for an HVAC systems into a viable DDC specification. How to insure the proper installation and debugging of the system through a comprehensive commissioning procedure. One of the largest areas of failure of new installations of DDC seems to be a failure to properly commission the system. Insuring complete, comprehensive shop drawings and hardware documentation is provided at the completion of the project.

NOTE: Each attendee to the seminar will receive a textbook, manufacturers' data sheets and a completion certificate.

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Pneumatic HVAC Controls Operation
and Calibration

This seminar is designed for personnel who have a good background in HVAC systems and want to expand their knowledge into pneumatic controls systems. Individuals who attend this seminar can expect to gain a good understanding of the operation, calibration and troubleshooting of pneumatic HVAC control systems.

Monday

Basic control theory and terminology. Understanding the symbols and terminology of control systems. Basic HVAC processes are reviewed. Principles covered to include direct and reverse action, normally open and closed valves and dampers, spring range of actuators, etc. Devices covered will include theoretical and lab operations on thermostats, valves, damper operators, E.P., P.E., switching, reversing and selector relays. Basic pneumatic control systems, devices and their operational characteristics. Lab simulators will be used to allow students the "hands-on" side of control systems.

Receiver controls and master-submasters. Operational understanding and calibration procedures for single and dual input receiver control systems, sensors and temperature gauges. Use of receiver controller calibration kits on the lab simulators enhance the understanding of these systems. Receiver controllers by Honeywell, Johnson, Robertshaw and Barber-Coleman will be available to calibrate and troubleshoot. How to calculate and adjust proportional band, gain, authority (ratio) will be covered. Troubleshooting strategies and procedures.

"Systems Concept" of control systems. Treating controls, not as a single operational device, but as part of a larger operational system. The systems we will cover include Variable Air Volume (VAV), reheat, multizone, mixing box, 2 and 4 pipe fan coils, induction units, 100% O.A., unit-ventilator, etc. Typical control systems used on these types of systems with emphasis places on discharge controllers, mixed air controllers and economizer sequences.

Systems troubleshooting and calibration. Selected systems will be simulated on the lab boards or, if available, actual "in operation" systems in accessible mechanical rooms will be used to provide "hands-on" calibration and troubleshooting. Severay system types will be used to give a good overview of the procedures to follow in a calibration and troubleshooting sequence. Also, "bugs" will be put into system to create a good environment for troubleshooting. Students will be able to put to use skills learned during the week.

Control drawings reading and interpretation. The ability to read and understand control systems drawings is essential to calibrate, troubleshoot, or operate a HVAC control system. Each student is provided with several sets of typical control prints from several different manufacturers. As a class, the drawings are read and discussed to give the students a good exercise in reading drawings. Actual drawings brought in by attendees may be used if suitable reproducing facilities are available. Electric and electronic control systems. Logical approaches to system troubleshooting. Motor starts and typical interfaces to pneumatic and electronic control hardware. Discussion of new technologies in control hardware to include analog electronic and Direct Digital Control systems.

NOTE: All participants will receive a textbook, various calibration and repair instructions on control devices and a completion certificate.

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Advanced Pneumatic HVAC Controls

This seminar is designed for individuals who have taken the beginning "Pneumatic HVAC Controls Operations and Calibrations" course and/or have a good working knowledge of basic pneumatic control systems. Individuals who attend this seminar can expect to gain an excellent working knowledge of the more sophisticated systems and concepts in advanced pneumatic HVAC controls.

Monday

Review of basic pneumatic control devices and control sequences. General review of pneumatic basics, devices and system types (reheat, multizone, mixing box, variable air volume). General reinforcement of the first week material and concepts. Advanced control device calibration on positioners, receiver controllers, enthalpy controllers, static, differential and velocity controllers, logic networks, etc. The various devices will be available for hands-on understanding of their operation.

Attendees will be divided into groups of no more than 3 individuals per simulator station. Each simulator station has several receiver controllers, switching, reversing and pressure selector relays, P.E.s, E.P.s, thermostats, etc. for use. Each simulator station also has a complete receiver controller test kit that will be used to calibrate the various systems and receiver controllers. Advanced "systems" will be configured on the simulators for adjustment and calibration. Each student will receive a receiver controller calibration slide rule to assist in calibration and to keep. Troubleshooting methods and "tricks" will be covered. How to calculate proportional band, authority, ratio, etc.

More sophisticated control configurations. The simulators will be configured into these and other control sequences: }-Reset of the discharge of a reheat AHU. }-reset of hot water by outside air with pump cutoff. }-Chiller reset on outside air or offset. }-VAV static and velocity control sequences. }-Mixed air with economizer switchover. Typical psychometric problems and solutions will be analyzed during this phase of the seminar. Use of the psychometric chart is essential to understanding various processes the controls are accomplishing.

Advanced control drawing reading and interpretation. The entire day will be spent improving the skills needed for reading and understanding control prints. Troubleshooting, calibration and repair of control systems becomes much easier with the ability to read and fully understand the control drawings. Simulated problems will be analyzed on the control prints for correct procedure to diagnose system problems. Drawings brought in by the students will be used if suitable.

The retrofitting-to-improve process. All control systems prior to about 1978 are effectively obsolete. They were designed with only initial cost and comfort in mind, and were, in many cases, horribly over designed. Energy was basically "free" compared to today. This phase of the seminar deals with analyzing present systems and establishing options to simplify, upgrade and improve their operational performance. Easily implemented pneumatic control simplification and operational improvements will be covered. Improvement options will include DDC modifications to pneumatic control systems.

NOTE: All participants will receive a complete textbook, a receiver controller calibration slide rule and a completion certificate.

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HVAC Operations and Troubleshooting Technology

An overview of institutional HVAC systems is the focus of this seminar. This course is designed for personnel with some experience in HVAC operations who need to enhance their understanding of the ore complicated HVAC systems. This is not an introductory HVAC course. Individuals attending this seminar can expect to gain an excellent working knowledge of the processes and systems found in sophisticated HVAC systems.

Monday

HVAC fundamentals to include heat transfer, units of measurement, and definitions of HVAC processes. How principles of HVAC function in "real world" systems. Factors involved in human comfort such as temperature, humidity, air motion, cold wall effect, etc. Air and water flow basics. Psychometrics. use of the psychometric chart to solve and understand the relationships of temperature and humidity, etc. Hydronic pumping systems. Central and local steam distribution systems, PRV's, one and two pipe systems, condensate return systems.

Air handling units and systems. Analysis of types of operational peculiarities of systems to include reheat, mixing box, variable air volume, induction units, multizone, 100% outside air and return air systems, fan coils, unit-vents, etc. Each system type will be explained as to the intent of the design and the typical problems encountered. Typical control strategies. Perimeter hot water reset and pulse modulated steam systems. Chillers and chilled water pumping loops.

HVAC control systems. Pneumatic, electronic and computer control systems and their operation. This day deals with basic controls understanding. Individuals will learn "how far to go" into a system before calling in help from the "wizards". Basic thermostat calibration. How to separate control systems from mechanical systems problems. An overview of building automation (computer) and direct digital control systems. Motors, three phase power, motor starters, ladder diagrams, point to point diagrams and other electrical systems encountered in HVAC systems.

Systems troubleshooting. How to follow a logical step by step approach from the complaining room through to the central mechanical systems to effect good troubleshooting skills. Air and water flow principles. How to determine problems with air or hydronic flow. Air flow volume, pressures present in an air handling unit and methods of measurement. Typical pressure drops through components in an air handling system. Basic testing instruments and their use. How to diagnose problems such as dirty coils (air or water side), dirty filters, inoperative dampers, high or low air flow volumes, closed fire dampers, etc.

Field operations and troubleshooting. Students will be able to perform troubleshooting on "in operation" HVAC systems. Simulated "bugs" will be placed into the subject systems for realism. Typical troubleshooting sequences for general use on all trouble calls will be covered. How to develop and utilize a systematic progressive approach to troubleshooting of HVAC systems. How to use magnehelic gauges, flow hoods, inclined manometers, etc., to diagnose system problems. Systems used for the field training will be determined by the accessibility of the mechanical rooms and types of systems most prevalent in your facility,

NOTE: Attendees will receive a textbook, various charts and reference material on HVAC systems and a completion certificate.

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HVAC Systems
Commissioning & Re-Commissioning

This new course was developed after 25 years of teaching HVAC controls and systems and recognizing how many HVAC systems are accepted with design and/or operational flaws.  As building mechanical systems become increasingly more complicated and sophisticated it is mandatory that these systems be commissioned or re-commissioned to insure their operational integrity.  this course is designed for personnel with experience in HVAC systems who desire to enhance their ability to provide commissioning of HVAC systems or inspection of these systems.  This is not an introductory HVAC course.  Individuals attending this seminar can expect to gain a good knowledge of the process of commissioning/re-commissioning sophisticated HVAC systems.

Monday 

Review of Advanced HVAC fundamentals to include heat transfer, units of measurement and definitions of HVAC processes.   Air and water flow basics.  Review of Psychometrics.   Analysis of types and operational peculiarities of systems to include reheat, mixing box, variable air volume, induction units, multizone, 100% outside air and return air systems, fan coils, unit-vents, chillers, converters etc.

Tuesday

Interpretation and analysis of the HVAC systems documentation to include mechanical specs, mechanical drawings, control drawings and test and balance reports. Gathering data and preparing the plan for commissioning/re-commissioning.

Wednesday

HVAC control systems.  Pneumatic, electronic and DDC control systems and their operational checkout.  Systems analysis.  How to determine problems with air or hydronic flow.  Air flow volume, pressures present in an air handling unit and methods of measurement. Typical pressure drops through components in an air handling system.  Basic testing instruments and their use.  How to diagnose problems such as dirty coils (air or water side), dirty filters, inoperative dampers, high or low air flow volumes, closed fire dampers, etc.

Thursday

Field Re-commissioning. Actual buildings at the Little Creek NAB will be used for hands-on re-commissioning of operational systems. Control sequences, balancing report data, mechanical operations integrity will be done on multiple systems. Basic reports will be created on the commissioned systems.

Friday    

Preparation of the necessary commissioning documentation to include reports, as-builts drawing, O&M manuals, etc. Developing a plan training of operations personnel on the proper operation and troubleshooting of the commissioned systems.

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Format Options

Tempcon offers six different training seminars on HVAC systems and controls. Our course outlines are a reflection of the content of our differing training seminars. The content of any course can be modified to consider the backgrounds of your attendees, the types of systems you have and your desired training objectives. We have no affiliation with a controls manufacturer, nor do we sell any hardware. Our sole interest is in providing the best possible theoretical and practical training on HVAC systems and controls by any manufacturer.

We conduct our training seminars in one-week formats in one of two ways:

Conduct the seminar at your facility for your personnel only:

With this option the course can be more specifically aimed at your systems personnel's backgrounds. Concentrated training on our training simulators, with your own HVAC control equipment is also an advantage. We can also include "in the mechanical room" training and the reading of your own HVAC control prints.

Conduct the seminar at your facility for your personnel combined with other interested institutions to share costs:

This option allows more people to attend the seminar, thus reducing the per person cost . Many of our clients have used organizations such as the APPA, military area commands, Hospital Engineering Society, ASHRAE, AIPE or NAPE to help in gathering interest and reduce the per person cost. We can help in course outlines and local advertising for the course. Under this option your facility can send two attendees at no cost to the seminar.

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