Retrotec DucTester 340

To Next Page

To Previous Page

Page 16 of 89

©Retrotec 2017

This is a schematic of a duct leakage test. Registers are sealed, the duct tester fan is connected to a

return and the pressure gauge picks up the pressure in the ducts.

Locate the step by step Quick Guide that came with your equipment or access it at www.retrotec.com.

Figure 1: DucTester setup, including tubing locations and necessary connections.

Main Page

Default Chapter3
- Default Chapter3
  - Table of Contents3
- Important Equipment-Related Safeguards8
- Important Occupant Safeguards During Testing8
1 Why Measure Duct Leakage10
- Energy Loss10
- Duct Sealing Saves Money10
- Problems from Duct Leakage10
2 How Much Duct Leakage Is Acceptable under Existing Codes11
3 Model 300 / 400 System Types14
4 Types of Duct Leakage Tests15
- What Is Duct Leakage to the Outdoors15
- What Is Duct Leakage to the Indoors15
5 Model 340 Ductesters17
- Models Include US340 and EU340 with 10 Inch Flex Duct17
- The Calibrated Ductester Fan17
  - Range Configurations18
  - Retrotec Calibrated Fan: Model 30019
- Digital Gauge21
- Flex Duct21
- Additional Included Duct Testing Components22
6 Prepare for the Duct Leakage Test24
- Unpack, Connect the Gauge to the Ductester24
- Charge the Gauge24
- Follow the Quick Guide that Came with Your System24
- Seal All Supply Registers26
  - Before Beginning the Duct Leakage Test26
- Make All Connections on the Gauge and Fan27
- Blue Tube Location Matters When Testing Leaky Ducts28
- Connect the Flex Duct to the Duct System29
- Install Range Configuration on Fan32
- Select a Test Direction then Connect Flex Duct to the Ductester32
  - Blow Air into the Ducts for Depressurization32
  - Blow Air out of the Ducts for Pressurization33
7 Set up the Gauge to Display Duct Leakage Results34
- Mode Setup for Duct Testing in the US34
- Mode Setup for Various Standards Around the World35
- Setting up and Using the DM32 Gauge for Duct Testing35
8 Conduct the Duct Leakage Test37
- Total Duct Leakage37
- Duct Leakage to Outdoors with 2 Gauges and 2 Fans38
  - Method #1: Set both Duct and House to -25 Pa (or 25 Pa)38
  - Method #2: Set Duct to House Pressure to 0 Pa (Using Ductester Gauge)39
- Duct Leakage to Outdoors with 1 Gauge and 2 Fans41
- Combined Total Duct Leakage and Duct Leakage to Outdoors Method43
- If no Results Are Displayed44
- Retrotec44
- Cannot Achieve Test Pressure45
9 Restore the House to Pre-Test Conditions after Testing Is Complete46
10 Create a Duct Leakage Test Report with Potential Energy Savings47
- Get the Excel Spreadsheet Based Software to Run on Your System48
- Choose Metric or Imperial Units for Results49
  - Imperial Units49
  - Metric Units49
- Choose Duct Test Type50
- Enter the Target Test Pressure50
- Enter Date the Test was Carried out50
- Enter Specific Parameters for the Conditions of this Test50
- Enter Readings from this Test51
- Spreadsheet will Calculate Cost of Duct Leakage53
- Save the Duct Leakage Test Report as a PDF File55
  - With Office 200755
  - With Office 201055
11 Find Air Leaks in the Ducts56
- Using a Smoke Puffer56
- Using Theatrical Smoke56
- Using an Infrared Camera56
- Using a Wet Hand56
- Using a Pressure Pan56
12 Measure the Air Handler System Flow58
- For Code Compliance58
- Why Measure the Air Handler System Flow58
- Measure with a Ductester as a Powered Flow Hood on the Return58
- Measure Air Handler Flow Using a Blower Door59
  - Supply Plenum Pressure Matching Method59
  - Set Pressure in Front of Return Register to Zero Method or Using Your Blower Door as a Powered Flow Hood61
- Measure Large Exhaust and Intake Flow Rates62
- Measure with a Ductester on the Air Handler Cabinet63
- Measure with a Gauge and a Flow Grid63
- Measure Using Air Handler Blower Curves63
- Measure Using Hole Flow on the Gauge64
- Measure with a Blower Door Attached to the Return or Cabinet64
- Other Methods64
13 Estimate HVAC System Energy Loss from Ducts65
- Duct Air Leakage Measurements65
- Methodology65
14 Field Check the Ductester to Find out What Is Not Working69
- Field Check the Gauge69
- Field Check the Ductester as a System69
15 Avoid Common Mistakes70
16 Create a Blower Door with a Ductester Fan72
- Use a Ductester to Test Tight Enclosures72
- Blower Door Systems for Testing Tight Enclosures72
- Retrotec73
Appendix A: Calculate Air Flow Based on Channel B Fan Pressure Readings74
Appendix B: Flow Conversion Tables75
- Flow Conversion Table for Duct Test Pressure of 25 Pa75
Appendix C: Calculate Flow if Required Test Pressure Cannot be Reached76
- Extrapolation Error for Flow if Gauge "N" Doesn't Match Actual N77
- Cannot Reach 25 Pa Factors78
- Cannot Reach 50 Pa Factors79
  - Appears on Display81
Appendix D: Troubleshooting81
- Gauge "Flow" Reading Does Not Change? Turn off [@]81
- Fan Does Not Run81
- Checking the Ductester Flows81
- Adjusting the Fan Inlet Nozzle if Is Rubbing or Debris Needs to be Removed from Fan82
Appendix E: Using a Generator for Power83
- Generators84
- Honda Generator EU3000 (120V, 2000W, 67 Lbs)84
- GENYX G3000HI (230V, 3000W) Generator84
- Portable Power Supplies84
- Black and Decker Electromate 400 Model VEC026BD84
Appendix F: Duct-Test Recording Forms85
- Total Duct Leakage Test Form Test Date85
- Total Duct Leakage Test Form (CA) Test Date86
Glossary88

Retrotec DucTester 340 - Page 16

Table of Contents