What You Will Learn

You will develop an understanding of the various types of controls including electric controls, pneumatic controls, self-powered controls, analog electronic controls and digital controls. After completing the course, you should know:

• Why controls are necessary in HVAC systems.
• The basic concepts of controls including control loops and control modes.
• The basic concepts of electricity and simple electrical circuits.
• How to select and size control valves and dampers.
• How different types of sensors and auxiliary devices operate.
• How to create a control diagram and write a control sequence.
• How the different types of controls operate, how they are applied to typical HVAC systems, and their advantages and disadvantages.

Course Content

• Introduction to HVAC Control Systems -- Why we need controls; a brief history of controls; control loops and modes; gains and loop tuning; control action and normal position; and control range and sequencing.
• Basics of Electricity -- Simple circuits and Ohm's Law; AC circuits; transformers and power services; relays; motors and motor starters; variable speed drives; and relay logic and ladder diagrams.
• Control Valves and Dampers -- Control valves, including styles and principles of operation, and selecting and sizing valves; and control dampers, including styles and principles of operation, and selecting and sizing dampers.
• Sensors -- Temperature sensors; humidity sensors; pressure sensors; flow sensors; and auxiliary devices.
• Control Diagrams and Sequences -- Design criteria; design process; control diagrams and symbols; control sequences; and example applications, including a typical single zone system and a typical VAV system.
• Self-Powered Controls -- Principles of operation and examples of self-powered controls.
• Electric Controls -- Sensors; controllers; actuators; auxiliary devices; and example applications.
• Pneumatic Controls -- Principles of operation; sensors; controllers; actuators; auxiliary devices; compressed air supply; and example applications.
• Analog Electronic Controls -- Principles of operation; sensors; controllers; actuators; auxiliary devices; and example applications.
• Digital Controls -- Principles of operation; input/output points; system architecture; software and programming; operator-machine interface; example applications; and advantages and disadvantages of DDC.

Who Should Enroll in This Course?

This is an excellent course for anyone who needs information on controls for HVAC systems. You will benefit from this course if you are:

• A recent engineering graduate working in the HVAC&R industry.
• An experienced engineer who has entered the HVAC&R industry from another engineering field.
• An architect, engineer, technician, construction or building management professional who wants to increase your knowledge of HVAC control systems.

Participants completing this course earn 3.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or 35 Professional Development Hours (PDHs).

Enrollment Fees

FUNDAMENTALS OF HVAC CONTROL SYSTEMS (Code 98025):
ASHRAE Member: $120
Non-Member: $150

To order call ASHRAE Customer Service at 1-800-527-4723 or 404/636-8400.

If you prefer to place your order online, please refer to ASHRAE online Bookstore.