A duct damper controls airflow in HVAC ducts, regulating temperature, humidity, and fumes. It can take different forms, including rotating hinge, louvre, and sash dampers. There are two types of designs: volumetric air dampers and fire/smoke dampers. Manual operation is available, but may not be practical in emergencies. The damper must fit precisely within the duct to prevent air leaks.
A duct damper is a device used within a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) duct. These ducts carry the air from the furnace or air conditioning units to different rooms within the building. A duct damper can help control the flow of this air or even block the air from entering specific areas. By regulating the airflow, the duct damper can be used to control temperature and humidity levels, limit the flow of fumes or hazardous fumes, or simply give homeowners more control over comfort levels and draughts. air.
These shock absorbers can take different forms depending on the desired function. A duct damper may contain a rotating hinge mechanism, which will rotate back and forth within the duct to control airflow. It may also contain a louvre or vent mechanism, which can slow or redirect airflow, but is ineffective at completely blocking airflow. Finally, sash dampers are designed to block off the entire duct so that no air can enter a specific area.
There are two basic types of duct damper designs, and each is chosen based on the application. Volumetric air dampers control overall airflow as part of the building’s heating and cooling system. When the thermostat is adjusted, the dampers activate automatically to increase or decrease the airflow. They can also be used to reroute air conditioning out of enclosed rooms which prevents wasted energy and keeps bills in check.
Fire or smoke dampers are typically used only on fire partition walls or on ceilings and floors that act as a fire barrier between two areas. They are designed to prevent the spread of smoke or flames through building ducts. Many contain built-in smoke detectors which activate the air damper if smoke is present. Others have a fusible link type element, which melts to close the damper once temperatures reach a certain level.
Most shock absorbers are also available with a manual operation option. They typically operate using a hand crank or switch located on the outside of the duct. Users must turn this crank to open or close the damper for both volume control and smoke control. While this option is simple and inexpensive, it may be impractical in emergency situations when operators need to activate the duct before exiting the building.
Mechanical engineers and builders select duct dampers to match the surrounding ducts. The damper must have the same shape as the duct and can be round, square or rectangular. Each damper must fit precisely within the duct to prevent air leaks and ensure that the damper performs as intended.
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