AMCA 203

Test Procedure
 SCOPE

There are three general categories of field tests:

A) General Fan System Evaluation – A measurement of the fan-system’s
performance to use as the basis of modification or adjustment of the system.
B) Acceptance Test - A test specified in the sales agreement to verify that the fan is
achieving the specified performance.
C) Proof of Performance Test - A test in response to a complaint to demonstrate
that the fan is meeting the specified performance requirement.
 Parallel Fan(AMCA 201)

These types of systems normally have common inlet and

outlet sections, or they may have individual ducts of
equal resistance that join together at equal velocities. In
either case, the characteristic curve is the sum of the
separate airflows for a given static or total pressure
(Figure B.2).
FREE INLET, DUCTED OUTLET

• At the example, There exist a SEF 1, related to the below

description:
To calculate 100% effective duct length, assume a minimum of
2½ duct diameters for 2500 fpm or less. Add 1 duct diameter
for each additional 1000 fpm.
System Effect
Figure 6.7 illustrates deficient fan/system performance
resulting from one or more of the undesirable airflow
conditions. It is assumed that the system pressure losses,
shown in system curve A, have been accurately
determined, and a suitable fan selected for operation at
Point 1. However, no allowance has been made for the
effect of the system connections on the fan's
performance. To account for this System Effect it will be
necessary to add a System Effect Factor (SEF) to the
calculated system pressure losses to determine the actual
system curve
The System Effect includes only the effect of the system
configuration on the fan's performance In Figure 6.7 the
point of intersection between the fan Performance curve
and the actual system curve B is Point 4. The actual
airflow will be deficient by the difference 1-4. To achieve
design airflow, a SEF equal to the pressure difference
between Point 1 and 2 should have been added to the
calculated system pressure losses and the fan selected to
operate at Point 2.
Ps = Ps2 - Ps1 - Pv1 + SEF 1 = Ps2 - (Ps1 + Pv1) + SEF1
The Positive sign?? Beacause if neglecting system effects, the fan
performance curve is a combination of system effect and the
fan unit, an the resulting is the brown curve
Measurement
There are five critical measurement groups that must be
made to get the most accurate air performance test:
1. At least one traverse of velocity and static pressure
measurements needs to be made at either the inlet or
outlet side of the fan.(for flow rate and dynamic
Pressure)
2. Take static pressure readings on the opposite side of
the fan that you performed the velocity and static
pressure traverse on (i.e., if you performed the velocity
and static traverse on the inlet side, take additional static
pressure readings on the outlet side).
3. Take pressure and temperature readings to
determine the density at the flow traverse and at the
fan's inlet.
4. Determine the RPM of the fan wheel.
5. Determine the cross-sectional area of all the
measurement planes.
6. An estimate of the motor horsepower can be made by
taking motor amp and volt measurements.
 Outlet
static
Pressure

Input Inlet Static

Power Pressure

Measurements

Dynamic
Flow rate
Pressure

Density
Flowrate-Location
• Determine fan flow rate using the area, velocity
pressure, and density at the traverse plane and
the density at the fan inlet.
• A location well downstream in a long, straight run
of uniform cross-section duct will usually provide
acceptable conditions for the Pitot traverse plane.
traverse plane should be situated a sufficient
distance downstream from the fan to allow the flow
to diffuse to a more uniform velocity distribution
and to allow the conversion of velocity pressure to
static pressure. Annex P provides guidance for the
location of the traverse plane in these cases.
Flowrates-Traverse
Flowrates-Traverse
The recommended minimum number of traverse points for rectangular ducts is indicated below in Figure H.3. For
rectangular ducts with cross-sectional areas of 24 square feet and less, the recommended minimum number is 24. For
cross-sectional areas greater than 24 square feet, the minimum number of points increases as indicated in Figure H.3. The
points are to be located in the centers of equal areas with the areas as nearly square as practical (see Figure H.2). If the
flow conditions at the traverse plane are less than satisfactory, the accuracy of the determination of flow rate may be
improved by using more than the recommended minimum number of points. Fewer points may be used if the flow is very
uniform; however, the maximum area covered per point should not exceed 3 square feet.
Flowrates-Conversion to Other
planes Continuity of mass
As can be interpreted from the standard, the flow rate are
computed from traverse plane, and it is needed to be Qx = Q3 (ρ3/ρx)
evaluated at the inlet of fan for performance curve. The flow
rate at the traverse plane is calculated as follows: Where a single traverse plane is used, the
calculation of the fan flow rate is:
Q3 = V3A3
Where: Q = Q1 = Q3 (ρ3/ρ1)
A3 = the area of the traverse plane
When it is necessary to use more than one
V3 = the average velocity at the traverse plane
traverse plane in order to account for the
= 1096 (Pv3/ρ3)0.5 total flow:
ρ3 = the density at the traverse plane Q = Q1 = Q3a (ρ3a/ρ1) + Q3b (ρ3b/ρ1) + ... + Q3n
Pv3 = the root mean square velocity pressure at the (ρ3n/ρ1)
traverse plane
= [∑(Pv3r)0.5 / number of readings]2
Fan Static Pressure - Equipment

Pitot-static tube. The Pitot-static tube is considered to be a

primary instrument and need not be calibrated if maintained in the
specified condition. It is suited for use in relatively clean gases. It may
be used in gases that contain moderate levels of particulate matter
such as dust, water, or dirt, provided certain precautions are
employed.

Pressure tap. The pressure tap does not require calibration. Use no
fewer than four taps located 90 degrees apart. In rectangular ducts, a
pressure tap should be installed near the center of each wall. It is
important that the inner surfaces of the duct in the vicinities of the
pressure taps be smooth and free from irregularities, and that the
velocity of the gas stream does not influence the pressure
measurements
Fan Static Pressure-Location
Make static pressure measurements near the fan inlet and the fan outlet, and where the airway between the
measurement plane and the plane of interest is straight and without change in cross sectional area.

When the fan is ducted outlet, the static pressure measurement plane downstream of the fan should be situated
a sufficient distance from the fan outlet to allow the flow to diffuse to a more uniform velocity distribution and
to allow the conversion of velocity pressure to static pressure. See Annex P for guidance in locating the
measurement plane in these cases(Annex P is not related!). In general, pressure taps should be used if it is
necessary to measure static pressure in the immediate vicinity of the fan outlet. The static pressure at this location
is difficult to measure accurately with a Pitot-static tube due to the existence of turbulence and localized high
velocities.
The location of the static pressure measurement plane upstream of the fan should not be less than ½ equivalent
diameter from the fan inlet. In the case of double inlet fans, static pressure measurements must be made in
both inlet boxes in order to determine the average static pressure on the inlet side of the fan.

When using a Pitot-static tube or a double reverse tube to measure static

pressure, a number of measurements must be made throughout the plane. Use
Annex H to determine the number and distribution of the measurement points(
it seems like dynamic pressure measurement!). When using pressure taps, a single
measurement at each of the taps located at the plane is sufficient(why not
Piezometric Tube?).
Fan Static Pressure

The static pressure at a plane of measurement (x) is calculated as follows:

σ Psxr
Psx =
number of readings
Where: Psxr the static pressure reading, corrected for manometer calibration
Ps1 = Ps4 + Pv4 - Pv1
Ps2 = Ps5 + Pv5 - Pv2
These equations may be used when changes in area between the measurement planes and the planes of
interest are moderate and gradual, and the pressure losses associated with conversions of velocity pressure to
static pressure are negligible.

If, in addition to the losses being negligible there are no changes in the areas between the measurement planes
and the respective planes of interest, then the equations are further reduced to:
Ps1 = Ps4
Ps2 = Ps5
The equation for fan static pressure is: Ps = Ps2 - Ps1 - Pv1 + SEF 1 + SEF 2 + ... + SEF n

SEF 1, SEF 2, ... SEF n = System Effect Factors that account for the various System Effects that are uncorrected
and exist at the time of the field test
 DENSITY

Goal
• To calculate air volumetric flow rate(velocity) from dynamic pressure
• To calculate dynamic pressure at the desired plane(Inlet Plane!)

Location
Determine the densities of the gas stream for Plane 1, the fan inlet; and for Plane 3, the velocity pressure
measurement plane. In addition, the density at Plane 2, the fan outlet, must be determined whenever the fan
total pressure, the fan velocity pressure, or an SEF at the outlet side of the fan is required.

Data required at each location

The pressure and temperature of the gas stream must be obtained for each plane
 DENSITY- VALUES

Procedures for establishing density are described in the examples in Annex M and are further illustrated in
the field test examples in Annex A.(psychrometric)

The densities at the planes for which the additional data is not obtained can be calculated,
and the following Plane 1 values:
Ps1, static pressure, in. wg(+pb)
td1, dry-bulb temperature, °F
tw1, wet-bulb temperature, °F
The following data are obtained for Plane 3:
Ps3, static pressure, in. wg
td3, dry-bulb temperature, °F
p1 = the absolute pressure, in. Hg at Plane 1,
calculated as follows:
p1 = pb + (Ps1/13.6)
 TEMPERATURE AND BAROMETRIC
PRESSURE MEASUREMENT

Temperature:
For temperatures through 220°F, the thermometer should be accurate within 2°F of the measured value and
readable to 1°F or finer. For temperatures above 220°F, the thermometer should be accurate within 5°F of the
measured value and readable to 5°F or finer. Locate the wet-bulb thermometer downstream from the dry-bulb
thermometer in order to prevent the dry bulb temperature measurement from being adversely affected.
Barometric Pressure:
Use a portable aneroid barometer for field test determinations of barometric pressure when an acceptable site
barometer is not available. The barometer should be accurate within 0.05 in. Hg of the measured value. Determine
the test value of barometric pressure by averaging measurements made at the beginning and end of the test
period. When the test value of barometric pressure is to be based on data obtained from a nearby airport, it is
important that the data include the barometric pressure for the airport site and the elevation for which the
pressure was determined.
Result Conversion
These conversion equations do not account for the effect of the compressibility
of the gas stream. However, since the test fan usually operates at conditions of
speed and inlet density that are reasonably close to the quoted fan performance,
the conversion calculations usually result in small changes from field test values
and the effect of the compressibility of the gas stream is considered to be
negligible. Where test conditions are considerably different than design
conditions, the effect of compressibility may need to be considered.
In this regard,AMCA 210 provides the following details:
It may be desirable to convert all test points to a nominal density, a constant
rotational speed or both. If the nominal air density (rc) is within 10% of the
fan air density (r) and the constant rotational speed (Nc) is within 5% of
the actual rotational speed (N), then the air can be treated as if it were
incompressible and Section 7.9.1 can be used.
Fan Static Pressure

The majority of fan field performance tests cover a single point of operation, namely, the design duty. If it is
deemed necessary to cover several points of operation, provision must be made in advance for changing the
system resistance. The means used to vary the system resistance must not cause adverse flow conditions in
the vicinities of the fan and measurement planes.

A fan assembly may include any number of appurtenances: variable inlet vanes, inlet boxes, inlet box
dampers, outlet dampers, inlet screens, belt guards, inlet bells, diffusers (evasés). Alternately, these items may
be included in the fan-system installation, but not be a part of the fan assembly. In order to determine the
proper field test procedure and to provide a valid basis for comparing field test results to the fan
performance ratings, it is important to establish which of these items are considered a part of the fan and
which are considered a part of the system. The fan performance ratings may be assumed to include the
appurtenances that are established as being a part of the fan assembly. The locations of the fan inlet and fan
outlet depend on whether specific appurtenances are considered to be a part of the fan assembly. If the
assembly includes an inlet box, the fan inlet is the inlet to the inlet box. For a fan assembly that includes a
diffuser, the fan outlet is the outlet of the diffuser.