Oriflow Panther User Manual
Operating Instructions for
Panther
Duct Leakage Tester
© Copyright 2015 ORIFLOW LLC
Table of Contents
Introduction
Introduction ……………………………………….…….. 2
Safety Precautions
Safety Precautions ………………………………….…. 2
Prior to Testing
System Preparation …………………….………………. 4
Power Requirements …………………………………... 3
Extension Cord Requirements ………………………... 3
Flex-Duct Length ………………………………………... 3
Determining Maximum Allowable Leakage ….……... 4
Determining Which Orifice Plate to Use ……………... 4 - 5
Duct Leakage Test Setup and Procedure
Install Orifice Plate ……………………………………... 6
Connect Flexible Duct to Orifice Tube ……………….. 7
Connect Flexible Duct to Duct System ………………. 7
System Test Pressure Connection …………………… 8
Duct Leakage Test Setup (SUPPLY) ………………… 9
Duct Leakage Test Setup (RETURN/EXHAUST) ….. 10
Zeroing Pressure Gauges ……………………………… 11 - 12
Avoiding Over Pressurization ………………………… 12
Obtaining System Test Pressure ……………………… 12 - 13
Determining Leakage Rate……………………………… 13 - 14
Troubleshooting
Zero reading on “DUCT SYSTEM” gauge ………….... 15
Zero reading on “ORIFICE TUBE” gauge …………….. 16
Can’t obtain system test pressure ……………………… 17
“ORIFICE TUBE” gauge reading maxed out………...... 17
© Copyright 2015 ORIFLOW LLC Rev: 06/2015-1
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Introduction
These operating instructions are for ORIFLOW model PANTHER 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 0.125-inch stainless steel and do not require recalibration for 10 years. Note the
authority having jurisdiction may override this requirement, and if so, Oriflow has very
reasonable rates for 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 2015 ORIFLOW LLC Rev: 06/2015-1
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Prior to Testing
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 1)?
Table 1 – Tester Amp Draw
Tester
Model
Panther
* - The only flow control option for the Panther is the inlet slide gate. If a
speed controller is desired, consider the Rhino model.
Voltage
115 Inlet Slide Gate 31
230 Inlet Slide Gate 16
Flow Control
Option*
Full Load
Amps
Extension Cord Requirements
If you need an extension cord, is it the proper gauge? See Table 2 below for
extension cord requirements.
Table 2 – Required Extension Cord Wire Gauge
Tester Model Voltage
115
Panther
230 up to 100 12
Extension Cord Length
(feet)
up to 50 8
51 to 100 6
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 flexibleduct are available at www.oriflow.com/Products
.
© Copyright 2015 ORIFLOW LLC Rev: 06/2015-1
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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/Technical).
Calculations are done for either of the two typical specifications: percentage of
system flow, or leakage class. If the specification uses leakage class, you will need
to calculate the total duct system surface area. Oriflow has a free Adobe form
available to our customers that will calculate duct surface area given the duct shape,
dimensions and length.
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 PANTHER
model tester. Make sure you have an orifice plate that can measure the maximum
allowable leakage. The proper plate is the one where the maximum 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 600 cfm, you will need a 4-inch orifice since the 4inch plate can test up to 740 cfm at a test pressure of 4 in.wg.
It is a good idea to have the next larger orifice plate size since it is common for duct
systems to leak more than the maximum allowable. Smaller diameter plates are use
when leakage is relatively low.
Table 3 – Tester Capacity using the 1-inch Orifice Plate
System Static
Pressure
(in.wg.)
2
4
6
8 5 30
10
12
Minimum
Flow Rate*
(cfm)
5 45
5 40
5 35
5 25
5 15
Table 4 – Tester Capacity using the 2-inch Orifice Plate
System Static
Pressure
(in.wg.)
2
4
6
8 25 130
10
12
Minimum
Flow Rate*
(cfm)
25 190
25 170
25 150
25 100
25 55
PANTHER Tester
Maximum
Flow Rate (cfm)
PANTHER Tester
Maximum
Flow Rate (cfm)
© Copyright 2015 ORIFLOW LLC Rev: 06/2015-1
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Determining Which Orifice Plate to Use (continued)
Table 5 – Tester Capacity using the 3-inch Orifice Plate
System Static
Pressure
(in.wg.)
Minimum
Flow Rate*
(cfm)
PANTHER Tester
Maximum
Flow Rate (cfm)
2 50 390
4
6
8 50 265
10
12
50 350
50 310
50 205
50 120
Table 6 – Tester Capacity using the 4-inch Orifice Plate
System Static
Pressure
(in.wg.)
2
4
6
8 105 550
10
12
Minimum
Flow Rate*
(cfm)
105 820
105 740
105 655
105 425
105 245
PANTHER Tester
Flow Rate (cfm)
Maximum
Table 7 – Tester Capacity using the 5-inch Orifice Plate
System Static
Pressure
(in.wg.)
Minimum
Flow Rate*
(cfm)
PANTHER Tester
Maximum
Flow Rate (cfm)
2 190 1320
4
6
8 190 875
10
12
190 1210
190 1065
190 615
190 270
© Copyright 2015 ORIFLOW LLC Rev: 06/2015-1
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