Commercial and industrial HVAC systems are incredibly sensitive. The central HVAC systems used in most applications utilize heating and cooling panels and water-source heat pumps and can include all air, air and water, and all water systems. With such complicated and expensive equipment, avoiding damage is crucial, yet difficult.
ChemTec’s adjustable flow monitors offer the ideal solution to help prevent issues and costly repairs. Learn more about where flow monitors are used in HVAC systems and how they can help improve equipment efficiency.
What Is a Flow Monitor or Flow Meter
Built to protect equipment from damage caused by improper flow rates, flow monitors are a crucial component in any application where flow is present. Flow switches operate by monitoring the flow of liquid or gas in a system.
Flow monitors, like the 125, 125BP, and 500 Bypass Series from ChemTec, are an inexpensive way to guard against abnormal flow conditions. Should a pipe or tube become partially or completely blocked, the flow monitor sends a signal to monitoring equipment. This allows remedial action to be taken quickly.
How Flow Monitors Are Used in HVAC Systems
Flow monitors or flow switches and flow meters can be found in an HVAC system’s cooling panels and pumps. A cooling panel uses a heat pipe partially filled with refrigerant to act as a passive cooling device.
When the control panel’s heat travels through the wall of the tube, it heats and vaporizes the refrigerant, helping cool the air. Without a flow monitor, it’s tough for the HVAC system to detect when it needs to turn on and how much chilled (or heated) air it needs to push through the ducts to get the building to the desired temperature.
- Flow monitors are installed in-line in a cooling tower or chiller to alert to a loss of flow of cooling water. Without a consistent flow of cool water, the components can quickly become overheated and damaged.
- Flow meters are also installed in-line to help accurately indicate flow. When you detect an increase (or decrease) in water or coolant flow through the HVAC system, quickly troubleshooting the problem can help prevent permanent damage to the unit.
Flow Monitors for HVAC Applications
Designed to sense both high and low flow conditions, ChemTec’s Adjustable Flow Monitors, Sensors & Switches, and Non-Adjustable Flow Monitors, Sensors & Switches can be used in both manual and programmable linear controllers. Meanwhile, the LPH Series of non-adjustable liquid and gas flow monitors can carefully monitor the flows of corrosive and non-corrosive liquids and gases.
Submit an Application Inquiry
At ChemTec, our Research and Development team works directly with clients to design and build custom parts that can meet your unique needs. Learn more about the products and services we offer or get in touch with one of our developers today.
Originally published November 30, 2020.
