Oriflow Lynx, Cobra User Manual

Operating Instructions for

Cobra and Lynx

Duct Leakage Testers

(Metric)

© Copyright 2017 ORIFLOW LLC

Table of Contents

Introduction

Introduction ……………………………………….…….. 2

Safety Precautions

Safety Precautions ………………………………….…. 2

Prior to Testing

Are You Using the Correct Tester? …………………… 3
System Preparation …………………….………………. 3

Power Requirements ………………………………….... 3

Extension Cord Requirements ……………………….... 4

Flex-Duct Length ………………………………………... 4

Determining Maximum Allowable Leakage ….……..... 4

Determining Which Orifice Plate to Use …………….... 5 - 6

Duct Leakage Test Setup and Procedure

Install Orifice Plate and Upper Tube Section ………… 7 - 8
Connect Flexible Duct to Orifice Tube ………………... 9
Connect Flexible Duct to Duct System ……………….. 9
System Test Pressure Connection ……………………. 10
Duct Leakage Test Setup (SUPPLY) …………………. 11
Duct Leakage Test Setup (RETURN/EXHAUST) …… 12
Zeroing Pressure Gauges ……………………………… 13
Avoiding Over-Pressurization ………………………….. 14
Obtaining System Test Pressure ……………………… 15
Determining Leakage Rate……………………………… 15 – 17

Troubleshooting

Can’t obtain system test pressure ……………………… 17

Zero reading on “DUCT SYSTEM” gauge ………….... 18

Zero reading on “ORIFICE TUBE” gauge …………….. 19

“ORIFICE TUBE” gauge reading maxed out………...... 19

© Copyright 2018 ORIFLOW LLC Rev: 03/2018

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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 laser­cut 1.6 mm 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).

© Copyright 2018 ORIFLOW LLC Rev: 03/2018

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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(L/s)*

Model

Lynx

Cobra

Panther

Rhino

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

250Pa 500Pa. 1000Pa 1500Pa 2000Pa. 2500Pa 3000Pa 3500Pa 4000Pa.

260L/s 255L/s 215L/s 110L/s — — — — —

310L/s 305L/s 285L/s 220L/s 95L/s — — — —

635L/s 625L/s 570L/s 505L/s 415L/s 290L/s 125L/s — —

770L/s 730L/s 670L/s 630L/s 560L/s 490L/s 420L/s 310L/s 225L/s

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

© Copyright 2018 ORIFLOW LLC Rev: 03/2018

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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 (meters)

3 to 15 14

15 to 30 12

3 to 50 14

15 to 30 14

3 to 50 14

15 to 30 12

3 to 50 14

15 to 30 14

Wire Gauge

Flex-Duct Length
Make sure you have enough flexible-duct with your tester for the job. Each tester
includes 3.8 m, 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
specification is commonly used:

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

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

Oriflow has FREE Adobe forms available that will calculate duct surface area given
the duct shape, dimensions and length (www.oriflow.com/freeform). These forms
also calculate Leakage Factor, allowable leakage and Pass/Fail criteria among other
calculations.

© Copyright 2018 ORIFLOW LLC Rev: 03/2018

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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 1000 Pa pressure and the maximum
allowable leakage is 165 L/s, you will need a 76 mm orifice plate if using the Cobra
tester (see Table 6) or a 102 mm plate if using the Lynx tester (Table 7).

Table 4 – Tester Capacities using the 25 mm Orifice Plate

System Static

Pressure

(Pa)

250
500

750
1000
1250
1500
2000

Table 5 – Tester Capacities using the 51 mm Orifice Plate

System Static

Pressure

(Pa)

250

500

750
1000
1250
1500
2000

Minimum
Leakage*

(L/s)

4.2 18 15

4.2 17 30

4.2 16 14

4.2 14 13

4.2 12 8

4.2 10 5

4.2 4.2 --

Minimum
Leakage*

(L/s)

16 73 61
16 71 59
16 68 57
16 63 50
16 59 40
16 47 24
16 17 --

COBRA Tester

Maximum

Leakage

(L/s)

COBRA Tester

Maximum

Leakage

(L/s)

LYNX Tester

Maximum

Leakage (L/s)

LYNX Tester

Maximum

Leakage (L/s)

© Copyright 2018 ORIFLOW LLC Rev: 03/2018

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