Taco Zone Sentry Series - User Manual

Application:
Taco Zone Sentry Zone Valves provide on-off, normally
open or normally closed control in both open and closed
hot or chilled water systems. The valves can be used in a
wide variety of heating and cooling applications, pri-
marily designed for use with fan coils, radiators, convec-
tors, air handlers, heat pumps and radiant applications.
Refer to the Product Specifications section for choosing
the correct style valve for your application.
Ease of Installation / Operation:
The Zone Sentry is the most technologically advanced
zone valve ever made. It’s also simple to install and oper-
ate. The valve can be installed in any direction, in any
orientation. We then went a step further, allowing the
operator to be mounted to the valve body in either direc-
tion (see Figure A), great for those tight baseboard jobs.
Snap-in quick connects on the back of the valve make
for a simple, secure and fast wiring hook-up. A green
LED light shows full functionality of the valve’s opera-
tion and thermostat status. Under a no power situation
the manual override button located on the top of the
valve allows the ball to be rotated up to 90° and is also
marked with a slot to indicate the position of the valve.
Valve Installation:
1. Valve body may be installed in any position, in
any orientation (see Figure A).
2. Before mounting the body, refer to Figure B for
any clearance requirements.
3. Use of a solder with a melting point below 600°F
is recommended. Do not overheat! Make sure the
ball valve is in the FULL OPEN position during sol-
dering. Direct flame tip away from the center of
the valve. Cool valve quickly with a wet rag.
4. Solder build-up on the ball valve may prevent
proper opening and closing of the valve. Rotate
the manual operation button several times to
loosen any possible build-up.
5. Valve body can be submerged for leak testing
before the operator is attached.
Operator Installation / Wiring:
1. Valve operator may be attached to the valve body
in either direction (see Figure A).
2. Operator Removal: Remove the valve operator
prior to soldering by pushing in and holding the
release clip at the front of the operator and lifting
upward approximately
3
⁄
4
" (see Figure C).
3. To re-assemble the operator to the valve body:
Position operator such that the “D” shaped valve
stem aligns properly with the “D” shaped operator
drive cavity. (Note: The “D” shaped stem design
allows for correct insertion every time.) Next, slide
the valve stem into the operator cavity, push in
and hold the release clip until the operator slips
over the valve locking posts (see Figure C). Once
the operator is flush to the valve body, let go of
the release clip. Using very little force, try to take
Instruction Sheet
Zone Sentry Zone Valve
102-410
SUPERSEDES: November 1, 2009 EFFECTIVE: October 15, 2010
Plant ID# 001-3944
CAUTION: Operator must be removed from the
valve body before soldering (see Figure C). Ball
valve must be in the full open position before
soldering. Valve shipped in the closed position.
Two Position Head Placement.
Universal Body Placement.
May be installed in any position, any orientation.
AABB
Figure A
1
3
⁄
8
" CLEARANCE
3
⁄
4
" CLEARANCE
W
A
L
L
Figure B
NOTE: Some power robbing thermostats require
the use of a resistor (always use the resistor pro-
vided by the thermostat manufacturer with the
Zone Sentry). Consult the thermostat instructions
for the resistor installation.

Summary

Ease of Installation and Operation

Valve Installation

Instructions for mounting the valve body and checking clearance requirements before installation.

Soldering Precautions

Guidelines for soldering, including temperature, flame direction, and cooling the valve body.

Operator Installation and Wiring

Thermostat Resistor Use

Operator Attachment

Instructions for attaching the valve operator in either direction, with reference to Figure A.

Operator Removal

Steps to remove the valve operator by releasing a clip, with reference to Figure C.

Operator Re-assembly

Procedure to re-assemble the operator, aligning the stem and securing with the release clip.

Mode of Operation

Initial Installation and Charging

Procedure for initial field installation, capacitor charging, and the indicator light.

Thermostat Operation

Describes how the valve operator responds to thermostat signals and power status.

WARNING: Zone Valve Usage

Caution against using zone valves with indirect water heaters without a tempering device.

Zone Sentry Zone Valve Wiring Diagrams

Typical Zone Sentry Valve Wiring

Wiring with Honeywell, Erie or Sparco Valve

Wiring with Taco 3-Wire Valve

Wiring with White Rodgers Valve

Product Specifications

Limited Warranty Statement

Overview

The Taco Zone Sentry Zone Valve is a sophisticated control device designed for use in both open and closed hot or chilled water systems. It provides on-off, normally open, or normally closed control for a wide range of heating and cooling applications, including fan coils, radiators, convectors, air handlers, heat pumps, and radiant systems. Its design emphasizes ease of installation and operation, making it a versatile choice for various HVAC setups.

One of the key features of the Zone Sentry valve is its flexible installation. The valve body can be installed in any position or orientation, which is particularly beneficial for installations in confined spaces. Furthermore, the operator can be mounted to the valve body in either direction, offering additional flexibility for tight baseboard jobs or other challenging installations. This adaptability simplifies the planning and execution of plumbing work.

The valve incorporates snap-in quick connects on the back, ensuring a simple, secure, and fast wiring hook-up. This design minimizes the time and effort required for electrical connections, contributing to a more efficient installation process. A green LED light provides visual feedback on the valve's functionality and thermostat status, allowing for quick and easy monitoring of its operation.

For situations where power is unavailable, the Zone Sentry valve includes a manual override button located on the top of the valve. This button allows the ball valve to be rotated up to 90 degrees, and a slot indicates the current position of the valve. This manual override is a crucial feature for maintenance or in emergency situations, ensuring that the system can still be controlled even without electrical power.

When it comes to installation, specific procedures must be followed to ensure proper function and longevity. Before soldering, the operator must be removed from the valve body. The ball valve itself must be in the full open position during soldering. The manufacturer recommends using solder with a melting point below 600°F and advises against overheating the valve. Directing the flame tip away from the center of the valve and quickly cooling it with a wet rag are also important steps. Solder build-up on the ball valve can impede its proper opening and closing, so rotating the manual operation button several times after soldering can help loosen any potential build-up. The valve body can be submerged for leak testing before the operator is attached, which is a valuable step for ensuring system integrity.

Re-assembling the operator to the valve body involves aligning the "D" shaped valve stem with the corresponding "D" shaped operator drive cavity. The "D" shaped stem design ensures correct insertion every time. The operator is then slid onto the valve stem, and a release clip at the front of the operator is pushed in and held until the operator slips over the valve locking posts. Once the operator is flush with the valve body, the release clip can be released. The manual emphasizes that very little force should be required to remove the operator without the release clip if it is properly assembled, and if it slides up the stem, the assembly process should be repeated.

Wiring the operator must be done in accordance with system requirements and applicable electrical codes. The plug-in quick connects can be disconnected from the valve operator to facilitate wiring. Wires are inserted into the quick connects and tightened by turning a screw. A critical caution is provided against jumpering power/motor (24 VAC) connection terminals, even temporarily, as this can damage the thermostat's heat anticipator.

The operational mode of the Zone Sentry valve involves a brief charging period upon initial field installation. The capacitor requires up to 20 seconds to fully charge before the valve begins to turn, with charging time varying during normal operation. During this charging phase, the green LED light will flash. Once charged, the LED will stop flashing and remain ON, indicating that the valve's operator is rotating the ball valve. The green LED stays ON as long as the thermostat is calling for heat or cool (i.e., the unit is powered). When the thermostat is satisfied, the green LED turns OFF, and the valve rotates 90 degrees to its normal or non-powered position. For a normally closed (NC) version, the operator opens the valve when the thermostat calls and rotates it to the closed position when the thermostat is satisfied.

The manual also provides specific wiring diagrams for replacing various existing zone valves, including Honeywell, Erie, Sparco, Flair, Taco 3-Wire, Taco 570 Series, and White-Rodgers valves, ensuring compatibility and ease of integration into diverse systems. A general warning is issued against using zone valves on indirect water heaters without a tempering device, highlighting a crucial safety consideration.

In summary, the Taco Zone Sentry Zone Valve is designed for reliable, flexible, and user-friendly control in hydronic systems. Its robust construction, adaptable installation options, clear operational indicators, and manual override capabilities make it a practical solution for a wide range of heating and cooling applications, while detailed installation and wiring instructions ensure proper setup and long-term performance.

Taco Zone Sentry Series Specifications