The Tracer® TU Balancing Tool is a software application designed to assist qualified personnel with the installation, startup, and servicing of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment, specifically focusing on VAV air and water balancing tasks. It also supports limited operations for blower coils, unit ventilators, and water source heat pumps, providing controller summary, status information, and alarm lists.
Function Description:
The primary function of the Tracer TU Balancing Tool is to facilitate the calibration and override of various HVAC components. It allows technicians to connect to UC400 and UC200 controllers individually or through a network to perform precise adjustments and diagnostics.
Key operations include:
- Air Valve Calibration: The tool features a "Calibrate Air Valve" dialog box for single duct VAVs and a "Hot Deck Air Valve Balancing Steps" dialog box for dual duct VAVs. These dialogs guide users through a two-point air valve calibration process, enabling accurate measurement and adjustment of air flow.
- Component Overrides: Technicians can override fans, air valves (dampers), and water valves on VAV boxes, blower coils, fan coils, unit ventilators, and water source heat pumps. This feature is crucial for balancing air and water flow during commissioning or troubleshooting. Overrides can be set for a limited duration, after which the components return to their normal settings.
- Ventilation Damper Override: For blower coils, fan coils, and unit ventilators configured with outside air dampers, the tool allows temporary override of the damper's open percentage.
- Facility View for Group Operations: For installations with multiple similar devices, the "Facility View" simplifies operations by allowing overrides and calibrations on groups of devices simultaneously. This significantly reduces the time required compared to adjusting each device individually.
- Controller Monitoring: The tool provides a "Unit Summary" screen displaying real-time data such as discharge air temperature, setpoints, occupancy status, cooling/heating capacity, and outdoor air temperature. It also includes "Flow Calibration," "Unit Configuration," "Alarm," and "Controller Status" screens for comprehensive diagnostics.
Important Technical Specifications:
While the manual does not list specific hardware specifications for the Tracer TU Balancing Tool itself (as it is a software application), it details the types of connections and controllers it supports:
- Supported Controllers: UC400 and UC200 controllers, as well as Tracer SC/SC+ (System Controllers).
- Connection Methods:
- Direct USB Connection: Physically connect to a controller using a USB A/B cable.
- Tracer® TU Adapter (Wired/Wireless): Connect via a dedicated adapter, which can be wired or wireless.
- Network Connection (LAN/Ethernet):
- Direct Ethernet Cable: Connect directly to a System Controller's BACnet/IP Ethernet 1 or Ethernet 2 port.
- LAN Connection: Connect to a "facility" (an individual System Controller acting as a central point of control) via its IP or DNS address. This can be a persistent link or a one-time manual entry.
- Network Protocols: BACnet/IP for discovering UC210s and UC400s on the network.
- Security: Supports secure connections (HTTPS) with specified ports (e.g., 443), though it notes that secure connections may slow performance.
- Software Compatibility: Designed to work with Tracer SC and Tracer SC+ hardware, referring to them as "System Controller."
Usage Features:
- User-Friendly Interface: The "Startup Task Panel" simplifies connection by pre-selecting the connection type based on the device plugged into the computer.
- Guided Calibration Steps: The "Calibrate Air Valve" and "Hot Deck Air Valve Balancing Steps" dialogs provide clear, step-by-step instructions for calibration, including prompts to drive valves to maximum/minimum flow and enter measured values.
- Real-time Feedback: During calibration and override operations, the "Current Operating Status Box" continuously updates values, reflecting the status of the components.
- Group Operations (Facility View):
- Allows selection of multiple devices from the "Device Navigation Tree" to be included in group override operations.
- Supports overriding hot/chilled water valves, economizer valves, isolation valves, air valves, and ventilation dampers on multiple instances of similar equipment types (BCs, FCs, UVs, WSHPs).
- Provides check boxes to easily deselect or reselect items from the transferred device list.
- Displays information for all members of a group on a status page.
- Saves the Facility View layout for future use.
- Flexible Override Settings: Overrides can be set for specific durations (up to seven days maximum) or released manually. Air valve overrides can be set to full open, full closed, maximum flow, minimum flow, or a user-defined percentage. Fan speed can be adjusted as a percentage for ECM fans or by stage (Auto, Low, Medium, High) for PSC fans.
- Comprehensive Help: The tool integrates "Tracer TU Balancing Tool Help" for detailed descriptions of screens and procedural information.
Maintenance Features:
The manual primarily focuses on the operational aspects of the balancing tool rather than its direct maintenance. However, it implicitly supports maintenance by enabling:
- Diagnostic Capabilities: The "Unit Summary," "Alarm," and "Controller Status" screens provide critical information for diagnosing issues with HVAC equipment.
- Troubleshooting Support: The ability to override components and monitor their status in real-time aids technicians in identifying and resolving operational problems.
- Calibration for Optimal Performance: Regular calibration of air valves ensures that VAV boxes operate efficiently and maintain desired air flow, contributing to the overall longevity and performance of the HVAC system.
Safety Warnings:
The manual emphasizes safety throughout, stating that only qualified personnel should install and service the equipment. It highlights the potential for death or serious injury from improperly installed, adjusted, or altered equipment. Key safety advisories include:
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Mandates the use of appropriate PPE (gloves, safety glasses, hard hats, electrical PPE, arc flash clothing) for all tasks, referencing SDS and OSHA guidelines.
- Hazardous Chemicals: Requires adherence to SDS and OSHA/GHS guidelines when working with hazardous chemicals.
- Energized Electrical Contact: Stresses the importance of proper electrical PPE and arc flash clothing before performing any switching, disconnecting, or voltage testing.
- Field Wiring and Grounding: Emphasizes that all field wiring must be performed by qualified personnel according to NEC and local/state/national electrical codes to prevent fire and electrocution hazards.
- EHS Policies: All personnel must follow company Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) policies, and non-Trane personnel must follow local regulations.
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