Field controls AB-1 User Manual

Air Booster

Model: AB-1

Instruction Manual

Instructions D’Installation

Instrucciones de Instalación

Page

English....................................2

Français.................................. 5

Espanõl...................................8

Installation Instructions

GENERAL INFORMATION

Your AB-1 Air Booster is designed to boost air flow to hard-to-heat or hard-to-cool rooms. READ THE
FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE ACTUALLY INSTALLING YOUR NEW AIR
BOOSTER.

INSTALLATION

1. The unit can be mounted on round ducts 5” in diameter and larger, or on rectangular or square
ducts 4” and wider and as shallow as 3”.

2. Locate the Booster in the BRANCH DUCT supplying the problem room – where the duct is warm
to the touch while the furnace is operating. NOTE: Do not install the Air Booster where the
temperature of the air within the duct is above 200ºF. It is rare that this temperature is found in
forced warm air systems; however, it could exist on gravity warm air systems if mounted close to
the furnace. It is suggested that the Air Booster be located near the outlet end of the branch duct
for maximum performance. The same location will also apply to air conditioning.

3. On horizontal and inclined installations, the slot for the Air Booster can be cut in the bottom or top
of a horizontal duct. On vertical installations, the slot can be cut on any side of the duct. In either
horizontal or vertical installations, the motor shaft must be in a horizontal position.

4. To assure longer motor life, oil the motor twice a year with ONLY A FEW DROPS of SAE 20 oil.
Two oil holes are located and marked on top of the motor for this purpose. Please note these oil
hole locations prior to installation. If the AB-1 is to be operated continuously, the motor should be
lubricated every three months. NOTE: The motor used on the Air Booster is an accepted
component of the listed fan unit by UL, Inc. This motor is designed as a normally HOT running
motor and should feel hot to the touch. Tests indicate that a normal 50 Watt household
incandescent light bulb is considerably hotter than the maximum motor temperature of your Air
Booster. This motor temperature will not effect the performance of your Air Booster, provided
installation and mounting instructions outlined herein are observed.

MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS

Once the location for the Air Booster is established, you are now ready to mount the unit as follows:

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY:

1. Attach the mounting template to duct in desired location. (See No. 2 above.) Place mounting
template in the center of the selected duct for best performance.

2. Cut out the metal duct work along template lines according to the size duct you have. BE
CAREFUL NOT TO CUT OPENINGTOO LARGE.

3. After the duct work has been properly cut, insert the Air Booster lip INSIDE the duct opening, (See
Figs. 1 & 2) pushing the Air Booster housing forward and upward at the same time so that the Air
Booster housing fits snugly into the opening. The side flanges should be on the OUTSIDE of the
duct. (See Figs. 1 & 2) NOTE: Be certain that the Air Booster “Deflector Plate” (See Figs. 1 & 2),
which curves above the blower wheel, is pointing in the direction of the air flow.

4. With the housing pushed tightly against the duct, drill or punch four 3/32” holes into the duct using
the Air Booster side flange mounting holes as locators.

5. Fasten Air Booster to air duct with 4 sheet metal screws, pulling the Air Booster up snugly against
duct. If necessary, bend the side flanges (Figs. 1 & 2) to conform to your particular duct size and
shape.

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Figure 2

ce physical wiring
arrangements may differ from diagram.
To avoid fire or shock hazard, all
installations involving connection to
existing furnace wiring must be made

Figure 1

OPERATION

The Air Booster can be operated and controlled in several manners:

AUTOMATIC OPERATION:

Wire in parallel with furnace blower motor. With central heating/air conditioning systems, it is
recommended that the Air Booster be wired in parallel with the furnace blower motor for simultaneous
operation. (see Fig. 3)

Figure 3

CAUTION: Furna

within furnace splice box.

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OPTIONAL THERMOSTAT HOOK UP:

For heating applications, the Air Booster may also be operated by the use of a line voltage
thermostatic switch which can be purchased from your local heating supply house or dealer. The
thermostatic switch will operate the Air Booster only when the temperature of the air in the duct is
above the per-set temperature. If a thermostatic switch is used, it is recommended it be located as
close to the main truck line duct as possible, for the fastest response to the change of air temperature
within the duct. (See Fig. 4.) However, follow the thermostatic switch manufacturer’s
recommendations. NOTE: For air conditioning applications, a heating/cooling thermostatic switch with
manual changeover must be used.

Figure 4

1. Gas or oil-fired central furnaces may include refrigerant cooling coils, however, it must be
equipped with 120 VAC single phase blower motors. AIR BOOSTER SHOULD NOT BE
WIRED IN PARALLEL WITH 240 VAC BLOWER MOTORS.

2. The basic furnace wiring and components should not be disturbed except for wiring
interconnection of the Air Booster and furnace blower at a splice box in the furnace.

3. The rating of the furnace blower motor controller must be adequate to control blower motor
and Air Booster motor. The Air Booster motor is rated at 0.50 amps.

Important: Blower motor controller should not be a variable speed tap type, solid state speed
control or any other type not suitable for dual motor control.

UNIT WIRING INSTRUCTIONS

1. For electrical supply connections, use wires suitable for at least 90ºC when Booster is used on a
heated duct system.

2. Electrical conduit must be routed away from warm air system ducts. Use adequate supports if
necessary.

3. The two black motor lead wires that are interchangeable are connected to power source. The
green wire is used for grounding purposes only.

4. The existing short circuit and ground fault protection for the furnace blower motor should be of a
size and type which will adequately protect the Air Booster motor. Refer to Section 430-53 of the
National Electrical Code.

5. The wiring from the furnace to the Air Booster must be 14 AWG and the furnace should be
protected by over current protection (fuses or circuit breakers) rated 15 amperes or less (as
applicable for 14 AWG conductors).

Important: Refer to section 430-53 (d) and Table 310-16 for the National Electrical Code for additional limitations.

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