Brochure

3
Why the right
actuator matters
The most common issues that come up when choosing the
right damper actuator are under-sizing, over-sizing and
improper usage signal. It is best to mitigate risk to ensure
that the actuator and equipment functions properly.
Over-sizing risks include applying too much torque which
can damage your equipment and costs more in the long run.
There may have been an opportunity to use a slightly smaller
actuator.
Under-sizing is a similar situation and this typically comes
when the actual maximum torque that is required to move
the equipment is not fully known. Sometimes tolerances
stack up, or there is chattering or binding in the damper and
the break-way torques rise higher than what the actuator
can physically manage.
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An example of under-sizing a damper actuator would be
when you determine an actuator for use on a single mixed-air
damper, when in reality the damper is linked to an additional
return air unit, thus increasing the overall required torque.
If the damper actuator is improperly sized and unable to open
the return air and mixed air dampers to the proper position
while under airflow, then the equipment won’t function
properly. This will drastically overload the equipment and use
more energy than what is required since the chiller is working
overtime to make up for the incorrect positioning of the
dampers.
These are a few of the reasons why selecting the right
actuator matters.
Over-sizing
• Potential damage to your equipment
Under-sizing
• Equipment won’t function properly
• Potential damage to the equipment
• Decreased energy efficiency
Improper control signal
• Overworking the equipment