Industrial Air Curtain Read More »
Industrial Air Curtains Industrial air curtains are designed to create a large barrier of air that keeps dust, debris, and pests from getting into the
Balancing Dampers for Automatic & Manual Air Balance
Balancing dampers regulate airflow within the ductwork to achieve proper air distribution, indoor air quality, and thermal comfort.
They work by introducing a variable restriction into the ductwork to control static pressure. This allows technicians to balance out differences in duct length, size, airflow, and resistance between different branches. Manual, automatic, and remote types are available to suit different needs.
With their ability to regulate and balance airflow, balancing dampers play an integral role in ensuring HVAC systems work efficiently.
At R. Williamson & Associates, we have over a century of experience supplying, selecting, and implementing airflow equipment. Contact our team today to learn more about how balancing dampers can optimize your HVAC system’s performance and which one is the best for your application.
Table of Contents
Dampers serve as crucial components for managing airflow, pressure, and temperature across multiple processes, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of the facility.
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We are the official distributors of the top industrial damper manufacturers in the USA. As official representatives, we’ll be happy to help find the best damper for your application.
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Types of Industrial Dampers
Manufactures
Venco Dampers
Venco
United Enertech
Hartzell Fans
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We are official distributors for the manufacturers listed below. As official representatives, we’ll be happy to help explain the best damper for your application. Contact us for a quote or any information regarding their products.
Automatic, manual & remote balancing dampers regulate the flow of air to balance an HVAC system
Manual Balancing Dampers
Manual balancing dampers provide a cost-effective airflow balancing solution. These dampers feature an adjustable quadrant that allows technicians to manually regulate duct static pressure and airflow. By turning the quadrant, the damper blades open and close to introduce a variable restriction.
Manual dampers enable simple on-site air balancing but require regular adjustments to maintain proper flow as pressure fluctuates. Their manual operation also leads to less precise airflow control compared to automatic options.
Find out which industrial air curtains is best for your application
Automatic Balancing Dampers
Automatic balancing dampers regulate airflow automatically to maintain constant duct static pressure. Built-in actuators and pressure sensors automatically adjust the damper blades in response to changes in system pressure, keeping airflow balanced.
They provide more precise control over airflow while saving on adjustment labor costs. Their ability to self-modulate helps maintain indoor air quality. UL-rated, low-leakage designs are available for critical ventilation needs.
Remote Balancing Dampers
Remote balancing dampers connect to an external control system that modulates the damper blades to achieve the desired airflow. The actuators that drive the blades receive input signals from the HVAC controls.
Control dampers provide the most advanced pressure and airflow regulation. Combined with building automation systems, they offer complete remote control over air balancing in the ductwork. Installation is also quick with flexible control wiring.
Key Specifications
Our extensive range of products are built to suit the needs of commercial HVAC systems:
- Materials: Constructed from galvanized steel, aluminum, and stainless steel to withstand high airflow pressures.
- Sizes: Available to fit standard duct sizes from 4” to 96” for airflow balancing in the ductwork.
- Pressure Ratings: UL-classified leakage ratings operate at static pressures up to 6.25” w.g. for high-velocity airflow.
- Temperature Ratings: Rated for -40°F to 250°F operating temperatures with smoke control classifications.
- Actuators: Electric and pneumatic actuators are offered for motorized control, accepting signals for proportional airflow modulation.
With position indication and consistent UL-rated performance, our dampers provide complete airflow balancing solutions.
Applications
This equipment plays an integral role in commercial and industrial HVAC systems by regulating airflow to balance static pressure.
Typical applications include:
- Air Handling Units: They are placed on supply ducts to even out airflow imbalances between branches. Maintains proper air distribution.
- Fans: Install dampers on main supply ducts from fans to balance system pressure, especially with variable speed fans.
- VAV Systems: Control dampers integrate with VAV controllers for precise airflow modulation to zones.
- Exhaust Fans: Control exhaust fan suction and prevent over-ventilating spaces.
Our UL-classified, low-leakage dampers are designed to withstand high system pressures. With robust position indication, they provide the airflow balancing solutions needed for demanding applications.
Conclusion
Proper airflow balancing is vital for commercial HVAC systems to maintain indoor air quality, comfort, and efficiency. R. Williamson & Associates provides an extensive selection of UL-classified dampers designed to operate at high system pressures, we can provide the ideal airflow-balancing products for your application. They are available with robust position indicators and low leakage ratings to maintain constant pressure control.
We have the experience to help you select and implement the right ventilation solutions to improve. Contact an expert today.
FAQ
Where should balancing dampers be installed?
When installing balancing dampers, we recommend placing them in branch ducts rather than the main duct. Position the damper so that its axis is parallel with the airflow direction in the main duct. Following this simple guideline allows the damper to properly regulate air volume going into each branch.
How do automatic balancing dampers work?
Automatic dampers utilize fluid dynamics, not electrical controls, to maintain precise airflow volumes in a duct system. This is how the self-regulation works:
The technician begins by setting the desired airflow rate in CFM (cubic feet per minute) using the adjustable set-point on the damper.
The stationary stator blade then applies calibrated tension on the moving damper blade to hold the airflow steady at the set target.
As conditions fluctuate, the pressure differential across the damper blade provides the lift force needed to automatically adjust the blade’s position. This “pressure independence” keeps the airflow volume constant despite changes in static pressure or air velocity in the duct.
By leveraging the physics of fluid dynamics, the damper automatically modulates in response to system conditions to maintain the desired airflow. This approach delivers accurate and consistent air balancing without relying on complex electronic controls.
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Providing Ventilation Equipment to the Following Industries
Providing Industrial Ventilation Products to the Greater Chicago area & WE Ship Nationwide
R. Williamson & Associates can provide you with fast quotes on the correct equipment for your application.
We are official representative covering Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Indiana and we ship nationwide.
We can also send out a trained specialist to assess the area and make certain the proper unit is being used for your specific application.
We run tests on-site to see how cost effective each model will be to assure maximum efficiency.
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