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JA6.3 Economizer Fault Detection and Diagnostics Certification Submittal Requirements

Title 24, Part 6, Section 120.2(i) requires that economizer FDD functions be installed on air-cooled unitary air conditioning systems with an air handler mechanical cooling capacity over 33,000 Btu/hr cooling capacity, with the ability to detect the faults specified in Section 120.2(i). Each air conditioning system manufacturer, controls supplier, or FDD supplier wishing to certify that their FDD analytics conform to the FDD requirements of Title 24, Part 6, may do so in a written declaration. This requires that a letter be sent to the California Energy Commission declaring that the FDD conforms to Title 24, Part 6, Section 120.2(i). The declaration at the end of this section shall be used to submit to the California Energy Commission.

JA6.3.1 Information that shall be included with the Declaration

The air conditioning system manufacturer, controls supplier, or FDD supplier provides evidence as shown below:

  1. The following temperature sensors are permanently installed to monitor system operation:
    1. Outside air.
    2. Supply air.
    3. Return air, when required for differential economizer operation.
      Evidence: Photograph or schematic of all required sensors indicating their recommended mounting instructions.
  2. Temperature sensors have an accuracy of ±2°F over the range of 40°F to 80°F Evidence: Photocopy of sensor specification.
  3. The controller is capable of providing system status by indicating the following:
    1. Free cooling available.
    2. Economizer enabled.
    3. Compressor enabled.
    4. Heating enabled, if applicable.
    5. Mixed air low limit cycle active.
    6. The current value of each sensor.
      Evidence: Laboratory test: describe how the mode is simulated and the wording used to indicate the status.
  4. The unit controller is capable of manually initiating each operating mode so that the operation of compressors, economizers, fans, and heating system, if applicable, can be independently tested and verified.
    Evidence: Photocopy of controller manual showing instructions for manually initiating each operating mode.
  5. The unit controller is capable of reporting faults one of the following ways:
    1. To an Energy Management Control System regularly monitored by facility personnel, or;
    2. Annunciated locally on one or more zone thermostats, or on a device within five (5) feet of zone thermostat(s), clearly visible, at eye level, and meeting the following requirements:
      1. On the thermostat, device, or an adjacent written sign, display instructions to contact appropriate building personnel or an HVAC technician.
      2. In buildings with multiple tenants, the annunciation shall either be within property management offices, or in common space accessible by the property or building manager.
    3. To a fault management application which automatically provides notification of the fault to a remote HVAC service provider.
      Evidence: Supplier’s description of how they comply, and supporting documentation such as a photocopy of controller manual or photograph of fault management application, zone thermostat, or other device showing indication of a fault.
  6. The unit control is capable of detecting the following faults:
    1. Air temperature sensor failure/fault.
    2. Not economizing when it should.
    3. Economizing when it should not.
    4. Damper not modulating.
    5. Excess outdoor air.
JA6.3.2 Fault Detection Test Specifications

To provide evidence that the required faults are detected by the FDD functionality, the FDD Provider shall perform a No-Fault and Fault test for each of the tests in Table 1. A pre-defined Test Procedure such as the one provided in the example shown in Table 2 could be used to fill out Table 1.

Table JA6.3-1 – Sample of a completed fault test

Tests
Faults
Air temperature sensor failure/fault
Not Economizing when it should
Economizing when it Should not
Damper not modulating
Excess outdoor air
1. Damper is Stuck Open
X
X
X
2. Damper Stuck at Minimum
X
X
3. Bad or Unplugged Actuator
X
X
X
4. Sensor Hard Failure
X
X
X
X
5. Actuator Mechanically Disconnected
X
X
X
X
JA6.3.3 Reporting of Test Results

The results of each test shall be provided in a report using a standard test results reporting format that provides the following information for each test:

  1. Organization and individual conducting the test.
  2. Time, Date, and Location of test.
  3. Make and model of unit/control tested.
  4. Range of models represented by test.
  5. Test procedure used, including description of the method for imposing fault with repeatability.
  6. Test driving Conditions (outdoor air temperature, return air temperature or enthalpy as required by the type of high limit control being used).
  7. Results of the test: Alarms generated.
  8. Provide a bill of materials for the configuration that is being certified.
  9. The FDD supplier shall describe any special field or data verifications that are required for the particular FDD analytics (beyond those included in Acceptance Test requirements).
  10. Sample of documentation that would accompany each qualifying set of FDD analytics.
  11. Name and contact information of company personnel in charge of certification.
  12. A mapping from the manufacturer’s alarm description to what is required by Title 24 similar to Table 1.

Table JA6.3-2 - Sample Test Procedure

Step
Description
Purpose
1
Close the economizer damper fresh air blades, then secure the blades in a manner that prevents opening.
Test alarm response when “Damper Stuck at Minimum”
2
Simulate conditions such that the damper actuator attempts to open the fresh air blades. Verify the damper blades remains secured and that the fault(s) specified in Table 1 are detected. Record the annunciated fault(s) and fault text.
3
Release the blades and allow the economizer damper to modulate open. Verify the annunciated fault(s) have cleared.
4
Open fully the economizer damper fresh air blades, then secure the blades in a manner that prevents closing.
Test alarm response when “Damper is Stuck Open”
5
Simulate conditions such that the damper actuator attempts to modulate the fresh air blade closed. Verify the damper remains secured and that the fault(s) specified in Table 2 are detected. Record the annunciated fault(s) and fault text.
6
Release the blades and allow the economizer damper to modulate. Verify the annunciated fault(s) have cleared.
7
Disconnect 1 sensor and verify the fault(s) specified in Table 1 are detected. Record the annunciated fault(s) and fault text.
Test alarm response when “Sensor Hard Failure”
8
Reconnect the sensor and verify that the annunciated fault(s) have cleared.
9
Repeat steps 7 – 8 for each available sensor.
10
Electrically disconnect the damper actuator and verify the fault(s) specified in Table 1 are detected. Record annunciated fault(s) and fault text.
Test alarm response when “Bad or Unplugged Actuator”
11
Reconnect the damper actuator. Verify the fault(s) have cleared and normal economizer operation has resumed.
12
Mechanically disconnect the damper actuator from the damper blade assembly.
Test alarm response when “Actuator Disconnected”
13
Simulate conditions such that the damper actuator would be moving the damper blades. Verify the fault(s) specified in Table 2 are detected. Record annunciated fault(s) and fault text.
14
Reconnect the damper actuator to the damper blade assembly. Verify the fault(s) have cleared and normal economizer operation has resumed.
15
Simulate conditions necessary to generate system status of “Free cooling available”. Record text of annunciated status.
Test for System Status Capability
16
Simulate system conditions necessary to generate system status of “Economizer enabled”. Record text of annunciated status.
17
Simulate system conditions necessary to generate system status of “Compressor enabled”. Record text of annunciated status.
18
If equipped with a heating system, simulate system conditions necessary to generate system status of “Heating enabled”. Record text of annunciated status.
19
Simulate system conditions necessary to generate system status of “Mixed air low limit cycle active”. Record text of annunciated status.
JA6.3.4 Declaration

Consistent with the requirements of Title 24, Part 6, Sections 100.0(h) and 120.2(i), companies wishing to certify to the California Energy Commission shall execute a declaration under penalty of perjury attesting that all information provided is true, complete, accurate, and in compliance with the applicable provisions of Part 6. Companies may fulfill this requirement by providing the information, signing the declaration below and submitting to the California Energy Commission as as specified by the instructions in JA6.3.5.

Manufacturer, Model Name and Number of all devices being certified

Manufacturer
Model Name
Model Number

When providing the information below, be sure to enter complete mailing addresses, including postal/zip codes.

Certifying Company

Contact Person Name *
Phone 1
Certifying Company Name **
Phone 2
Address
Fax
(Address)
E-mail
(Address)
Company Website (URL)

* If the contact person named above is NOT the person whose signature is on the Declaration, then the full contact information for the person whose signature is on the Declaration must also be provided on a separate page.

** If the company named above is: A) a parent entity filing on behalf of a subsidiary entity; B) a subsidiary entity filing on behalf of a parent entity; or C) an affiliate entity filing on behalf of an affiliate entity, the above contact information must be provided for any additional entities on a separate page.

Manufacturer (if different from Certifying Company)

Contact Person Name
Phone 1
Manufacturing Company Name
Phone 2
Address
Fax
(Address)
E-mail
(Address)
Company Website (URL)

Declaration

I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that:

  1. All the information in this statement is true, complete, accurate, and in compliance with all applicable provisions of Section 120.2(i) of Title 24, Part 6 of the California Code of Regulations.
  2. Each Fault Detection and Diagnostic (FDD) system has been tested in accordance with all applicable requirements of Section 120.2(i)1-120.2(i)7 of Title 24, Part 6 of the California Code of Regulations.
  3. [If the party submitting this statement is a corporation, partnership, or other business entity] I am authorized to make this declaration, and to file this statement, on behalf of the company named below.
Certifying Company Name

Date
Name/Title (please print)

Signature
JA6.3.5 Certification

Send declarations and evidence of functionality or test reports to the addresses below. Electronic submittals are preferred.

  1. Electronic submittal:
    CertifiedtoCEC@energy.ca.gov
    Attn: FDD Certification
  2. Mail:
    Attn: FDD Certification
    Building Standards Development Office
    California Energy Commission
    1516 Ninth St., MS 37
    Sacramento, CA 95814

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