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Technical Note 052
Advanced Damper Control
Damper control without additional devices
In many HVAC applications the dampers work in tandem with fans controlled by variable frequency drives (VFD) to
regulate airflow. The control of the dampers for these applications is critical whether control originates in the building
automation system (BAS) or as proposed in this document, control from the VFD. ABB recommends having the VFD
handle the damper control logic, as that allows the logic to be fully functional in both Auto and Hand modes. Damper
control schemes handled by the BAS are functional in Auto mode, but often are not functional in Hand mode. Damper
configurations in air handling units (AHU) range from a simple isolation damper to more complex systems involving
outside air dampers, discharge air dampers, and common plenum systems incorporating multiple fans.
The advanced damper control feature in the ACH580 makes it easy to integrate the damper controls into the VFD by
allowing the VFD to initiate the opening of the damper by applying power to the actuator and monitoring the actuator
position switches for open and closed status. The ACH580 monitors the position of the damper(s) by using the auxiliary
switches in the damper’s actuator and connecting those auxiliary switches to the VFD’s digital inputs (DI). To control
the position of the damper, the power wires of the damper actuator are wired through one of the VFD’s integral relay
outputs (RO), which in turn supplies or removes power to the actuator. The power supply itself, whether 24 V AC/DC, or
120 VAC, is typically provided from a source external from the VFD package and the VFD is simply making or breaking
that power to the actuator.
Advanced damper control is located in Group 84 and contains three control strategies:
• Discharge Air Damper (DA) no pre-pressure
• DA Damper with pre-pressure
• Outside Air (OA) + DA dampers with pre-pressure
The three control strategies are selectable in parameter 84.01 and are discussed in further detail below. Also,
supplemental wiring diagrams of these examples are provided at the end of this document.
Discharge air damper no pre-pressure
The DA damper control is used when there is one damper, typically downstream of a supply or exhaust fan. The damper
isolates the fan from the plenum or from the outside air. In this no pre-pressure scenario, the damper needs to be
opened to establish free area, but there is no need to create pressure in the duct before running the fan. This
application utilizes one of the VFD’s relay outputs, most commonly RO1 to control the damper actuation. The ROs can
be found and configured in parameters 10.24, 10.27, and 10.30. When configuring the ROs there are two new RO sources
that have been added to the RO source selection list that are associated with Advanced Damper Control. These new
sources are [63] Discharge damper control and [64] Outside air damper control. We will assume going forward for this
section that the damper actuator will be controlled using RO1 ( 10.24) and be configured to [63] Discharge damper
control.
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The following is the starting sequence of discharge air damper (no pre-pressure):
• When a start command is sent to the VFD, the VFD will command the DA damper to open and wait for
confirmation that the DA damper has achieved the fully open position. The VFD identifies damper position by
monitoring the normally open (NO) end switch from the actuator wired to the VFD’s digital input.
• The VFD confirms the DA damper is open by receiving confirmation by a closed DI which is configured in 84.03
DA damper open input. In 84.03, DI1 thru 6 are selectable.
• Once the selected DI is closed confirming that the DA damper is open, the VFD will continue to start rotating
the motor.
An added feature in Advanced Damper Control is that a timeout function can be programed in to 84.04 DA damper open
timeout. 84.04 monitors the closure of the DI selected in 84.03. The default setting is 30 seconds but can be
customized between 0 seconds and 90 seconds to match the actuators cycle time. If the DA damper fails to open in the
timeout window the VFD can be programed in 84.05 to generate a warning (which is default), fault the VFD, or no action.
When the start command is removed from the VFD, the following sequence will occur:
• The DA damper will remain open until the minimum output frequency is achieved.
• Once the fan reaches the minimum output frequency the VFD will de-energize the relay output and the DA
damper will then move to its closed position.
o Note: If the VFD is programmed with a Coast stop mode, then the VFD will de-energize the relay
output immediately upon start command removal
Advanced Damper Control also has the functionality to monitor a damper’s closing actions. The VFD confirms that the
DA damper has fully closed by monitoring a closed DI, which is configured in 84.06 DA damper closed input allowing DI1
thru 6 to be selected. There is a separate timeout feature for the closing of the DA damper which can be configured in
84.07 DA damper closed timeout and is defaulted to 20 seconds but can be customized to be between 0 seconds and 90
seconds to match the actuators cycle time. If the DA damper fails to close in the timeout window the VFD can be
programed in 84.08 to generate a warning (which is default), fault the VFD, or no action.
Monitoring the damper position provides visibility of the damper’s actions to the
BAS while also helping to reduce the time needed to troubleshoot damper or air flow
issues. When a start command is sent to a VFD and the cycle time exceeds the
timeout allotment, the drive can flag that as a malfunction in the actuator or that
service may be required on that actuator in the near future. Benefits of monitoring
for the closed position can also provide information if the actuator has failed in the
open position or if the damper mechanical components have become bound.
Reference Figure 1 as an example of a warning image.
Figure 1
Discharge air damper with pre-pressure
In applications where multiple fans are supplying air to a common plenum and/or fans are staged depending on
demand, a common issue can occur when the isolation damper opens. The issue occurs if the damper opens before the
fan is brought up to speed and the pressure from the common plenum forces the fan to rotate backwards or freewheel.
Advanced Damper Control can eliminate this issue by using DA damper with pre-pressure, 84.01 [2]. This feature allows
the fan to come up to speed in a forward rotation while creating enough pressure to then join the plenum without
freewheeling backwards. The DA damper timeout protection is also available in this pre-pressure mode.
When the VFD is configured for DA damper with pre-pressure, this is the start sequence:
• The VFD will ramp the motor up to the minimum output frequency.
• Once the minimum output frequency is achieved, the VFD will command the discharge damper to open.
• When the DA damper is fully open and confirmed to be open through the end-switch, the VFD is released to
follow the commanded reference.
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When stop is requested by the removal of a start command:
• The VFD will keep the RO active and follow the stop mode.
• Once the motor has slowed down to minimum output frequency, the VFD will de-energize the RO to command
the DA damper to close.
o Note: If the VFD is programmed with a Coast stop mode, then the VFD will de-energize the relay
output immediately upon start command removal
Outside air + discharge air dampers with pre-pressure
The OA + DA damper with pre-pressure is used in applications where a fan is isolated from the outside air, or an outside
air make-up plenum, with a damper installed upstream of the fan and a damper installed downstream of the fan. The
configuration of OA damper control in Group 84 is identical to setting up the DA damper control except OA uses
parameters 84.13-84.18. There is also OA damper timeout protection. Once all parameters are set in Group 84, the final
step will be to configure the RO in Group 10 to control the additional OA damper actuator.
When the VFD is configured for OA+DA with pre-pressure, this is the start sequence:
• A start command is requested to the VFD, the VFD will command the OA damper to open.
• When the OA damper is fully open and confirmed to be open through the open end-switch (84.13), the VFD will
ramp to the minimum frequency.
• Once minimum frequency is achieved the VFD will command the DA damper to open and will hold at minimum
frequency until the DA damper open end switch is confirmed.
• When the DA damper open end switch is confirmed, the VFD will follow the commanded reference.
When stop is requested by the removal of the start command:
• The VFD will keep both ROs energized while the motor speed slows until minimum frequency is achieved.
o Note: If the VFD is programmed with a Coast stop mode, then the VFD will de-energize the DA relay
output immediately upon start command removal
• Once achieved the VFD will de-energize the RO for DA damper commanding DA damper to close.
• After DA damper is confirmed to be closed, the VFD will de-energize the RO for OA damper commanding OA to
close.
Damper time-based control
In some applications it might not be feasible to wire all the damper position switches back to the VFD due to other
devices or safeties needing to be integrated into the VFD’s DIs. In these cases, Advance Damper Control is still a viable
and useful feature. When parameters 84.03, 84.06, 84.13, or 84.16 associated with assigning a specific DI to an
open/closed input are selected as [0] Not used, then Advanced Damper Control repurposes the programed timeout
values 84.04, 84.07, 84.14, and 84.17. Advanced Damper Control utilizes these values as a set of timers for the opening
or closed sequences.
As an example, if the OA and DA damper position switches are not wired back to the VFD and a start command is
received the VFD will:
• Command the OA Relay to open the damper and wait for the amount of time configured in 84.14 OA damper
open timeout.
• Once the OA damper open timeout time has passed, the VFD then commands the motor to operate at the
minimum output frequency.
• After minimum output frequency has been achieved, the VFD commands the DA Relay to open the damper and
maintain minimum output frequency for the amount of time configured in 84.04 DA damper open timeout.
• Once the DA damper open timeout time has passed, the VFD then is released to follow the commanded
reference.
When stop is requested by removal of the start command, Advanced Damper Control will follow the sequence stated
above in reverse order but using the equivalent 84.07 and 84.17 damper closed timeout parameters.
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Conclusion
As stated above, Advanced Damper Control is a feature that can easily integrate into new and existing systems while
also providing valuable real time information. The ability of this feature to work both in Auto and Hand mode provides
the user all the benefits independent of what control strategy they need at a given time. Figure 2 summarizes the
differences between a building automation system, traditional VFD based damper control, and the ACH580’s Advanced
Damper Control. Integrating Advanced Damper Control reduces the time of trouble shooting damper related issues and
reduces the probability of nuisance trips.
Descriptive
Supports Control of Control of Pre- Timeout
Control Method warning
Hand & Auto (1) damper (2) dampers pressure protection
text
Building automation
No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
system
Traditional VFD
Yes Yes No No No No
damper control
DA damper1 Yes Yes No No Yes Yes
DA damper with pre-
Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes
pressure1
OA & DA dampers with
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
pre-pressure1
1
Functions of ACH580 Advanced Damper Control
Figure 2
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Advanced Damper Control
Supplemental wiring diagrams
Diagram 1: Discharge Air Damper with or without pre-pressure
Note: actuator wiring of end switches may vary between manufactures
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Advanced Damper Control
Supplemental wiring diagrams
Diagram 2: Outside Air + Discharge Air Damper
Note: actuator wiring of end switches may vary between manufactures
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Advanced Damper Control
Supplemental wiring diagrams
Diagram 3: Outside Air + Discharge Air Damper with only open auxiliary switch
Note: actuator wiring of end switches may vary between manufactures
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