Oriflow Lynx, Cobra User Manual

Operating Instructions for

Cobra and Lynx

Duct Leakage Testers

Links to Online Help

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Video – Commercial Duct Leakage

Testing

Online Max Leakage Calculator

(SMACNA Leakage Class)

Online Technical Library

Online Max Leakage Calculator

(% Allowable)

Table of Contents

Introduction

Introduction ……………………………………….………………………….…………… 3

Safety Precautions

Safety Precautions ………… READ FIRST! ……….….……………….……………… 3

Prior to Testing

Are You Using the Correct Tester? …………………………………….…...…………. 4 System Preparation …………………….……………….…………….……...….……… 4

Power Requirements …………………………………....…………….……...….……… 4

Extension Cord Requirements ………………………....…………….……...…………. 5

Flex-Duct Length ………………………………………...…………………….……...…. 5 Determining Maximum Allowable Leakage ….………..……………...…….….……… 5 FREE Oriflow duct test summary form (SMACNA or DW/143) ………….….………. 5

Determining Which Orifice Plate to Use ……………....……………..……..…………. 6 - 7

Duct Leakage Test Setup and Procedure

Install Orifice Plate and Upper Tube Section ……………………………..………..…. 8 - 9

Connect Flex-Duct to Orifice Tube ………………........…………….……...….……… 9

Connect Flex-Duct and Static Pressure Tap to Duct System ………….……………. 10 - 11 Duct Leakage Test Setup (SUPPLY) ………………….……………..……..…………. 12 Duct Leakage Test Setup (RETURN/EXHAUST) …………………..……..…………. 13 Zeroing Pressure Gauges ……………………………………………..……..…………. 14 Avoiding Over-Pressurization …………………………..……………...…….…………. 15 Obtaining System Test Pressure ……………………………………...…….…………. 15 - 16 Determining Leakage Rate……………………………………………..….….…………. 16 - 17

Troubleshooting

Can’t obtain system test pressure (DUCT PRESSURE TOO LOW) …………….…. 18 Can’t obtain system test pressure (DUCT PRESSURE TOO HIGH) …….……….… 19

Zero reading on ORIFICE PLATE gauge ……………..…………………........……….. 19

ORIFICE PLATE gauge reading maxed out ………......……………...….…....………. 20

GFCI/GFI trips …………………………………………………………………………….. 20

Introduction

These operating instructions are for ORIFLOW models COBRA and LYNX air leakage testers. Take pride in knowing that you have purchased the best air leakage tester on the market. It is no secret that Oriflow manufactures the highest quality testers, and has unparalleled customer service and technical support.

The orifice plates available for your duct leakage tester are constructed from laser-cut 0.063-inch stainless steel and do not require recalibration for 5 years. Note the authority having jurisdiction may override this requirement, and if so, Oriflow has reasonable rates for re-calibrating orifice plates manufactured by Oriflow.

Safety Precautions

Before operating your tester, read the following safety precautions:

 DO NOT operate the tester in the rain,  DO NOT operate the tester while it is near or in water,  DO NOT operate the tester with a damaged electrical cord or plug,  DO NOT remove the inlet safety screen,  DO NOT touch the blower wheel when the unit is plugged in,  DO NOT look into the discharge end of the tester when the unit is plugged in,  DO NOT use the tester as a ladder or step stool,  DO NOT allow children near the tester,  DO use an extension cord of the proper gauge (see Table 2),  DO use the proper voltage and line frequency listed on the motor nameplate,  DO lock the caster when the tester is positioned horizontally,  DO use the tester on level ground,  DO secure the tester when transporting it,  DO wear proper hearing protection, safety glasses and work gloves,  DO seek assistance when lifting the tester (e.g., loading onto truck, going up or down stairs).

Prior to Testing

Are you Using the Correct Tester? See Table 1 for the maximum capacity for each duct tester when using the largest orifice plate.

Table 1 – Duct Leakage Tester Capacities



MaximumLeakageCapacity(cfm)*



Model

0.10 1 2 4 6 7 8 9 10 12 14 16

Lynx

Cobra

Panther

Rhino

* Using the largest sized orifice available for the model listed.

570 cfm 680 cfm

1400

cfm

1700

cfm

550 cfm 650 cfm

1350

cfm

1630

cfm

540 cfm 645 cfm

1320

cfm

1550

cfm

455 cfm 600 cfm

1210

cfm

1420

cfm

SystemTestPressure(in.wg.)

290 cfm 465 cfm

1065

cfm

1330

cfm

160 cfm 405 cfm 970 cfm

1255

cfm

— — — — — —

350 cfm 875 cfm

1185

cfm

250 cfm 875 cfm

1185

cfm

— — — —

615 cfm

1035

cfm

270 cfm 895 cfm

— —

660 cfm

480 cfm

System Preparation Cap off all ends of system using clear plastic and duct tape or sheetmetal duct end caps. Make sure

you test the part of the duct system that leakage testing is required. Usually, this is from the system fan up to, but not including, the VAV boxes (terminal units). Refer to the engineer's specifications and all applicable codes and test standards.

Power Requirements Do you have an adequate power supply for your tester (see Table 2)?

Table 2 – Tester Amp Draw

Tester Model Voltage

Lynx 115 Slide Gate 12.7 Cobra 115 Slide Gate 12.8 Cobra 115 VFD 14.0 Cobra 230 Slide Gate 6.4 Cobra 230 VFD 8.0

Flow Control

Option

Full Load

Amps

Extension Cord Requirements If you need an extension cord, is it the proper gauge? See Table 3 below for extension cord

requirements.

Table 3 – Required Extension Cord Wire Gauge

Tester Model

Lynx or Cobra Slide Gate 115

Cobra Slide Gate 230

Cobra VFD 115

Cobra VFD 230

Flow Control

Option

Voltage

Extension Cord

Length (feet)

10 to 50 14

50 to 100 12

10 to 50 14

50 to 100 14

10 to 50 14

50 to 100 12

10 to 50 14

50 to 100 14

Wire Gauge

Flex-Duct Length Make sure you have enough flexible-duct with your tester for the job. Each tester

includes 12.5 feet, which is enough for most applications. Extra lengths of flexible-duct are available at www.oriflow.com/products.

Determining Maximum Allowable Leakage To determine the maximum allowable leakage for the project, use ORIFLOW’s free

online programs to make these calculations (www.oriflow.com/programs). In the U.S., calculations are done for either of the two typical specifications:

1. Percentage of system flow, or

2. SMACNA Leakage Class.

In Europe, Australia and other countries outside of the U.S., the following DW/143 specification is commonly used:

1. Pressure Classification (Class A, B, C or D)

If the specification uses SMACNA Leakage Class or Pressure Classification, you will need to calculate the total duct system surface area.

Oriflow has a FREE Adobe test summary sheet that will calculate duct surface area, leakage, leakage factor, allowable leakage, and Pass/Fail criteria. You can find these test summary sheets at (www.oriflow.com/freeform). It’s an excellent tool that can be printed out or emailed to a customer or engineer for submittal.

Determining Which Orifice Plate to Use After determining the allowable leakage at the system test pressure, refer to the following tables for the

capacities of each orifice plate available for the Cobra and Lynx model testers. The proper plate is the one where the specified allowable leakage falls between the minimum and maximum leakage at the system static pressure.

For example, if you are testing a system at 4 in.wg. pressure and the maximum allowable leakage is 350 cfm, you will need a 3-inch orifice plate if using the Cobra tester (see Table 6) or a 4-inch plate if using the Lynx tester (Table 7).

Table 4 – Tester Capacities using the 1-inch Orifice Plate*

System Static

Pressure

(in.wg.)

* If you need to measure lower flow rates, contact us about the ‘low-flow’ orifice plate. ** Recommended minimum based on 0.40 in.w g. across orifice plate.

Table 5 – Tester Capacities using the 2-inch Orifice Plate

System Static

Pressure

(in.wg.)

** Recommended minimum based on 0.40 in.wg. across orifice plate.

0.10 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Minimum

Leakage**

Minimum

Leakage**

(cfm)

9 47 37 9 44 34 9 42 32 9 39 27 9 36 23 9 32 17 9 29 15 9 24 6 9 19 -9 12 --

(cfm)

34 180 160 34 170 150 34 165 135 34 155 120 34 140 105 34 125 85 34 115 65 34 95 25 34 75 -34 45 --

COBRA Tester

Maximum

Leakage

(cfm)

COBRA Tester

Maximum

Leakage

(cfm)

LYNX Tester

Maximum

Leakage

(cfm)

LYNX Tester

Maximum

Leakage

(cfm)

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Oriflow Lynx, Cobra User Manual

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Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual