Nortek AB 150A, AB 175A, AB 225A Installation And Operating Manual

Doc No. 702100 Page 1 of 12

INDEX Section

General Information -------------------------------------------------------- 1
Dimensions -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2
Technical Specifications ---------------------------------------------------- 3
Installation Details ----------------------------------------------------------- 4
Wiring Details ---------------------------------------------------------------- 5
Servicing ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
Parts Replacement ---------------------------------------------------------- 7
Spare Parts -------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
Fault Finding ----------------------------------------------------------------- 9
User Instructions ----------------------------------------------------------- 10

AIRBLOC AB RANGE

AMBIENT AIR CURTAIN

INSTALLATION AND OPERATING MANUAL

WARNINGS

1 This appliance must only be installed by a competent person in accordance with the requirements of
the Codes of Practice or the rules in force.
2 All external wiring MUST comply with the current IEE wiring regulations.
3 Warning this appliance must be earthed.

Part No. 702100

Nortek Global HVAC (UK) Limited, Fens Pool Avenue, Brierley Hill, West Midlands, DY5 1QA

Doc No. 702100 Page 2 of 12

1. General Information.

Welcome to the new Airbloc AB ambient air
curtain models. Local regulations may vary in
the country of use and it is the installers
responsibility to ensure that such regulations are
satisfied.
All installation, assembly, commissioning and
service procedures must be carried out by
suitably qualified competent persons to the
statutory regulations in the country of use.
When assembling, installing, commissioning and
servicing is undertaken on the air curtains is
required to ensure that working at height
regulations are adhered to at the mounting
heights specified.
All dimensions shown are in mm unless
otherwise stated.

The manufacturer reserves the right to alter
specifications without prior notice.

PLEASE READ this document prior to
installation to familiarise yourself with the
components and tools you require at the

various stages.

The primary reason for installing an air curtain is

to prevent the influx of cold outside air through a
door opening into a heated area. Typical
applications include large despatch bay doors in
factories and warehouses, and internal doors
between areas of different temperatures. Wider
door openings can be accommodated by bolting
two or more units together.
Air curtains control the internal climate by
emitting an air stream with enough velocity to
meet the floor so creating an air barrier in the
door area. To prevent the ingress of outside
draughts, the discharge louvre is angled
outwards, so that the air leaving the building
meets the wind trying to enter, thus deflecting it.
(See diagrams below).
Airbloc air curtains provide uniform air
distribution across the full width of the door,
keeping heated or conditioned air inside the
building and stopping the ingress of cold air,
draughts, and dust.
This manual provides detailed information on
the installation of Airbloc air curtains. It is
essential that these products are installed in
accordance with these manufacturers
instructions.

Without air curtain With air curtain

Pattern of airflow

Doc No. 702100 Page 3 of 12

*Typical projection for LPHW/steam

housing (dimension H) LPHW/steam
coils available to order.
See contact details on rear cover of this
document.

2. Dimensions.

Model A

mm B mm C mm D mm E mm F mm G mm

Weight

(kg)

AB 175A 1750 523 457 507 260 86 1695 90
AB 225A 2250 523 457 507 260 86 2195 115

H

mm

201
201

AB 150A 1500 523 457 507 260 86 1345 201 80

Diagram 1: Dimensions

*R/H VIEW LPHW/STEAM*

H

Doc No. 702100 Page 4 of 12

3. Technical Specifications.

Air curtain model

AB 150A AB 175A AB 225A

Air distribution fans

Type

Centrifugal (with integral thermal trip)

Speeds

3

No. of fans

3 4

Maximum air volume

6400m

3

/hr 9600m3/hr 12800m3/hr

Voltage

230V 1PH 50Hz

Power rating (per fan)

1140 W

Current (per fan)

5.2A (FLC)

Start current (per fan)

12A

Power

Total electrical power consumption

2.28kW 3.42kW 4.56kW

2

Model AB150 AB175 AB225

AB150= x 1

AB300= x 2
AB350= x 2
AB400= x 1 x 1
AB450=

x 2
AB525= x 3
AB575= x 2 x 1
AB625= x 1 x 2
AB675= x 3

Constitution*

AB225= x 1

* table shows full range of models available and the modules that make up their construction. No other variants are available.

WARNING:
THIS AIR CURTAIN SHOULD NOT BE
INSTALLED WHERE THERE IS A
CORROSIVE ATMOSPHERE.

Doc No. 702100 Page 5 of 12

Gap to be kept to a
minimum

3m minimum

Bottom of air

curtain to be

level with top of

door opening

4. Installation Details.

Health and Safety

Due account should be taken of any obligations
arising from the Health and Safety at Work Act
1974 or relevant codes of practice. In addition
the installation must be carried out in
accordance with the current IEE wiring
regulations and any other relevant British
Standards and Codes of Practice by a qualified
installer. Isolate all electrical supplies to the
heater & control panel before proceeding.

For your own safety we recommend the use of
personal protective equipment when handling
this air curtain.

Airbloc air curtains are supplied with mounting
brackets pre-fitted, and can be mounted either
as single units, or in multiples, which can be
bolted together to suit various door widths.

The minimum mounting height is 3 metres (See
diagram 2 below).

4.1
Each single air curtain should be supported by
cantilever brackets (not supplied) then fixed
back to the building structure by bolting directly
using suitable support brackets, or by
suspending from above using suitable
steelwork. (See diagram 3, page 6).

4.2

Multiple air curtains should be bolted together
using 3 off M10 set pins, nuts and washers fitted
through the holes provided in the mounting
brackets, then suitable support channels (not
supplied) must be fixed on top of the factory
fitted brackets along the full length of the
assembled air curtains to spread the load.

The assembly can now be fixed back to the
building structure by bolting directly using
suitable support brackets, or suspending from
above using steelwork. (See diagram 4 page 6).

If required, the support channel may be
extended slightly past the ends of the air
curtains to aid fixing.

Note: Where multiple air curtains are fitted

above up and over doors or where
central support is inappropriate, the support
channel should be replaced with channels of a
greater cross section to prevent the assembly
from bending.

4.3 Mounting.

It may be necessary to adjust the position of the
air outlet louvres to provide the correct airflow
across the door opening. This can be done by
first loosening the four locking pins located two
at each end of the louvres (arrowed, Fig. A),
then loosening the intermediate locking Allen
pins (arrowed, Fig. B). The louvres can now be
moved to the desired position and the locking
pins re-tightened.

Note: The AB 225 model has two pairs of

intermediate locking Allen pins, whereas the
AB 175 model only has one pair.

Fig. A

Locking pins

Diagram 2.

Locking Allen pins

Fig. B

Doc No. 702100 Page 6 of 12

Diagram 3: Mounting method (single air curtain)

Cantilever brackets

(not supplied)

FRONT VIEW (SINGLE AIR CURTAIN)

Diagram 4: Support channel (multiple air curtains)

Typical support channels

Air curtain 1

Air curtain 2

PLAN VIEW (TWIN AIR CURTAINS)

Factory fitted brackets

Support points

4. Installation Details cont.

Factory fitted

mounting brackets

WARNING:
THIS AIR CURTAIN SHOULD NOT BE

INSTALLED WHERE THERE IS A
CORROSIVE ATMOSPHERE.

Doc No. 702100 Page 7 of 12

5.1 Control panel.

The electrical control panel incorporates the
facility to interlock with the door opening
mechanism and automatically switch the air
curtain on and off as the door is opened and
closed. A pair of volt free auxiliary contacts are
required on the door open/close contactor which
closes as the door opens. If this is not available
then a suitably positioned limit switch and striker
plate will need to be fitted to the door.

The panel incorporates an auto/off/manual
selector switch, which, when in 'auto' mode
operates the air curtain as the door opens and
closes. The 'manual' position overrides the door
interlock, and the 'off ' position turns the air
curtain off.

The panel may also be fitted with optional low
voltage (24V AC) relays for fire alarm/door
contact interlocks. (Must be specified at time of
ordering)

Note:
A job specific control panel wiring diagram is
supplied inside the control panel.

5. Wiring Details.

Doc No. 702100 Page 8 of 12

6. Servicing.

These appliances should be serviced annually by a competent person to ensure safe and
efficient operation. In exceptionally dusty or polluted conditions more frequent

servicing may be required. The manufacturer offers a maintenance service. Details available
on request. Isolate electricity supplies before commencing any work.

Cross point
screwdriver

6.1 Tools required.

The following tools and equipment are
recommended to complete the tasks laid out in
this manual.

Suitable alternative tools may be used.

Small flat head
screwdriver

Allen key set

Adjustable
spanner

10mm spanner

13mm spanner

Soft
brush

6.2 Air outlet louvres.

The air outlet louvres should be cleaned with a
soft brush. Check that the louvres are set to the
required angle. (See Figs. A/B on page 5 for
setting procedure).

6.3 Air distribution fans.

The air distribution fans can be accessed by
opening the fan access lid as described in
section 7.1.

Clean off any dust or deposits with a soft brush
paying particular attention to the impeller. Check
that the impeller spins freely, and that there is
no play in the fan bearings.

The fan(s) can be removed, if necessary, as
described in section 7.1.

6.4 Electrical.

Isolate electricity supplies before
commencing any work.

Check condition and tightness of all terminations
in control panel.

Remove the fan terminal box cover located on
top of the air curtain (Fig.1), and repeat above
procedure for the fan terminations.

Check that the plug/socket connection to each
fan (inside the unit) is tight and that the cable is
in good condition. Switch control panel on and
check air curtain operation in each selector
switch position (auto/off/man, low/medium/high
speed).

Fig.1

Doc No. 702100 Page 9 of 12

All servicing/maintenance work on this air

curtain should be carried out by suitably
qualified person. Before commencing any work
please ensure that the electricity supplies are
turned off.

7.0 Tools required.

7.1 Air distribution fans.

The air distribution fans can be accessed by
removing the three screws along the bottom
edge of the air inlet grille (Fig.2), and the
retaining screws securing the hinged lid on the
underside of the air curtain next to the louvres
( Fig.3).

7. Parts Replacement.

Allen key set

Adjustable
spanner

Cross point
screwdriver

10mm spanner

13mm spanner

Fig.5

Fan closure plate

Fan outlet

Fig.3

Fig.4

Fig.6

Fan closure plate

Fan outlet

The lid can now be hinged down to access the
fans as shown in Fig.4.

7.1.1 Fan closure plate

Before individual fans can be removed it will be
necessary to remove the fan closure plate.
Remove the retaining screws around the
perimeter of the plate. (See Figs.5/6) The plate
can now be removed.

Fig.2

Doc No. 702100 Page 10 of 12

7. Parts Replacement cont.

Fig.7

Fig.8

Fig.9

The air distribution fans and 5 pin plug/socket
are available as a spare part as detailed below.

Note: Any spare parts or components used

that are not approved by Nortek could
invalidate the approval of the appliance and
also the warranty.

8. Spare Parts.

Item Description Part No.

3 speed air

distribution fan

unit

AB-FAN

Item Description Part No.

Air distribution

fan 5 pin plug/

socket

Plug: 3127

Socket: 3126

Fig.9 shows single air distribution fan in
isolation for clarity.

7.1.2 Fan removal

Identify the feed cable for the fan requiring
removal and disconnect it from its cable mount­ed plug/socket. (See Fig.7 )
The four bolts securing the fan can now be
removed as shown in Fig.8, and the fan
removed from the air curtain downwards.

CAUTION: these fan units are heavy.

Doc No. 702100 Page 11 of 12

Power on to control

panel?

Check:

1. Control panel man/off/auto
switch position.

2. Fan circuit breaker(s)

3. Fan contactor and
associated wiring.

All air

distribution

fans off?

YES

If the fan(s) still fail to

operate normally,

please contact

the Nortek

service department.

YES

Check:

1. Power supply.

YES

NO

Air distribution fans

NO

Single fan

unit off?

Check:

1. Motor thermal trip (may run
when cool), test motor.

2. Motor wiring.

3. Motor plug/socket.

9. Fault Finding.

Doc No. 702100 Page 12 of 12

Document reference number GB/AIR/039/0716

Replaces GB/AIR/039/0214

10.1 Important information
This appliance must only be installed by a
competent person in accordance with the
requirements of the codes of practice and the
rules in force in the country of use.

10.1.1 The appliance must be earthed.

10.1.2 Never rest anything, especially ladders,

against the air curtain.

10.2 To start the AB air curtain (manual)

10.2.1 Rotate the control panel auto/off/manual

selector switch is in the manual position.

10.2.2 Switch on electrical supply to the control
panel. The panel live lamp will illuminate and the
air distribution fans will start.

10.3 To start the AB air curtain (auto)

10.3.1 Rotate the control panel auto/off/manual

selector switch is in the auto position.

10.3.2 Switch on electrical supply to the control
panel. The panel live lamp will illuminate and the
air distribution fans will only start if the door is in
the raised position.

10.4 To switch off the AB air curtain

10.4.1 Rotate the auto/off/manual control panel

selector switch to the 'off' position. The air
distribution fans will stop. Switch off the
electrical supply to the control panel. The panel
live lamp will extinguish.

10.6 Servicing

To ensure continued efficient and safe operation
it is recommended that the air curtain is serviced
regularly by a competent person, once a year in
normal working conditions, but in exceptionally
dusty or polluted conditions more frequent
servicing may be required.

The manufacturer, Nortek offers a maintenance
service, details of which are available on re­quest.

For sales related queries please contact the
address given below.

10. User Instructions.

Nortek Global HVAC is a registered trademark of Nortek Global HVAC Limited. Because of continuous product innovation, Nortek Global HVAC reserves the right to change product specification without due notice.

Registered in England No. 1390934. Registered office: 10 Norwich Street, London, EC4A 1BD

NORTEK GLOBAL HVAC (UK) LTD

Fens Pool Avenue

Brierley Hill

West Midlands DY5 1QA

United Kingdom

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]

www.ambirad.co.uk

WARNING:

THIS AIR CURTAIN SHOULD NOT BE
INSTALLED WHERE THERE IS A
CORROSIVE ATMOSPHERE.