Rule-Based Fault Detection Method for Air Handling Units.
Rule-Based Fault Detection Method for Air Handling
Units.
(4513 K)
Schein, J.; Bushby, S. T.; Castro, N. S.; House, J. M.
Energy and Buildings, Vol. 38, No. 12, 1485-1492,
December 2007.
Sponsor:
Department of Energy, Washington, DC
Keywords:
air handling units; fault detection; diagnostics;
building automation; direct digital control; energy
management system
Abstract:
Air handling unit performance assessment rules (APAR) is
a fault detection tool that uses a set of expert rules
derived from mass and energy balances to detect faults
in air handling units (AHUs). Control signals are used
to determine the mode of operation of the AHU. A subset
of the expert rules which correspond to that mode of
operation are then evaluated to determine whether a
fault exists. APAR is computationally simple enough that
it can be embedded in commercial building automation and
control systems and relies only upon the sensor data and
control signals that are commonly available in these
systems. APAR was tested using data sets collected from
a "hardware-in-the-loop" emulator and from several field
sites. APAR was also embedded in commercial AHU
controllers and tested in the emulator.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899