Regardless of the manufacturer or model of air curtain or door you purchase, there may be a time down the road when certain functions don’t work as expected. Discussed here are some of the common questions you may have about your air curtain if something appears to be wrong. Remember, the experts at Air Door Distributors are always just a phone call away to steer you in the right direction.
What could the cause be if air leaving the nozzle does not seem to have too much velocity?
There are a number of possibilities that could cause what seems to be reduced air flow at the air nozzle.
Nozzle Outlet
The easiest thing to check would be the nozzle outlet. The nozzle air flow will be restricted if the directional vanes are aimed beyond their proper limit. Be sure vanes are clean, and adjusted properly for optimum airflow for your situation.
Air Filters
If your air curtain fails to move the proper amount of air, it’s possible the air intake could be dirty. If your unit has a filter, replace it if it is a disposable type. If it is the reusable type, clean it with mild detergent and water, and reinstall it in the air curtain unit.
Fan Blades
Check the fan blades. Dirty fan blades can cause lack of sufficient air movement. Be sure to clean the fan blades and check air flow to see if the clean fan blades are moving the proper amount of air.
Incorrect Wiring
Many air curtains use three-phase motors. Incorrect wiring of a three-phase motor will cause reverse-rotation of the motor, turning the fan in the wrong direction. Fan blades are shaped to move air only when turning in a particular direction. If turning opposite to the correct direction, the fan will blow little or no air. To correct this situation, have a qualified electrician change the wiring at the motor.
Some air curtains have a motor speed setting. If your curtain has a speed switch, check that the switch is set to the desired speed.
Are there any situations that could cause air curtains to operate poorly or not at all?
Electrical Connections
If your air curtain is not operating at all, it’s possible you may not have power to your unit. A qualified electrician should check all the electrical connections to your air curtain and related switching components, including the circuit breaker panel or fuse box.
Improper Air Movement
If your air curtain turns on, but operates poorly, there are problems that could cause this situation as well. The movement of air in a building can be disturbed by many situations that are not readily obvious, mainly because air movement is invisible.
Air curtains operate best in balanced environments. The most obvious problem in an air movement condition would be selection of the wrong air curtain unit for your needs.This is where the experts at Air Door Distributors can help. We will make sure that the air curtain you purchase will deliver the results you require. As an example, it’s important to select an air curtain with sufficient velocity for your needs. If an air curtain lacks enough air movement to provide a barrier at the floor level, it will fail to be ineffective.
Air velocity and direction are crucial for your air curtain to accomplish its task properly. A common cause of an improperly functioning air curtain could be an air disturbance such as the use of an exhaust fan within the same room as the air curtain, which will force air out of the building at a location away from the air curtain, eliminating the presence of an adequate intake air source. This will cause negative air pressure within the building. The easiest path of resistance for outside air will then be at the bottom of the curtain where the air you are trying to keep outside will enter the building. This is exactly the effect you don’t want.
Just as having an exhaust fan operating in a building will upset the airflow, a wind tunnel effect caused by multiple open doors at either end of the building can also starve the air curtain for intake air and keep it from operating at its peak level. The air curtain is meant to be the main entry and exit point for people and vehicles. While it is unrealistic to expect that no other door in the building be opened, it should not be the norm for multiple doors in the building to stay open for an extended period of time.
Improper Mounting Location
Depending upon the desired air curtain effect your are looking for, the mounting location of the fan can be crucial for performance of the unit. Suggestions for mounting the air curtain and adjustment of vanes can be found in the following section.
Have questions about mounting your air curtain? Read this article.
How far beyond the edge of the housing does the air spread and what is the depth?
The air exits the discharge nozzle at high force. All models vary in the air spread and depth of the air wall they create. A general rule of thumb is: for units with 1HP motor(s) or less, the air spread is up to 3 inches and the depth of the wall of air created is about 18 inches, measured 6 feet from the nozzle. For units with motor(s) larger than 1HP, the air spread is up to 6 inches and the depth of the wall of air is about 24 inches, measured 6 feet from the nozzle.
Vane adjustments will vary depending on your air curtain needs, but can usually solve your wind direction needs using the following guidelines. Your situation may vary and require the use of an expert.
Generally, air curtains should be mounted inside a doorway; however, unheated curtains that are used to repel insects and contaminants, can be mounted outside the door if necessary. The vanes should be angles approximately 15 degrees outward. Air velocity should be adjusted so that the air stream just reaches the floor.
When used for temperature or humidity control situations, the air curtain should be mounted inside the doorway and the air should be directed straight down at the floor. These are just guidelines, and your perfect adjustment may need to be done by a professional. There are other conditions that may cause your air curtain not to operate at full capacity. If the guidelines we’ve discussed in this article don’t help solve your problem, don’t hesitate to contact us directly at 866-402-1642 or by filling out our online contact form for further help or referral to a reputable contractor in your area. Air Door Distributors is proud to offer only the best brands of air curtains. We have over 20 years of experience helping our customers find the right product for their business. Contact us today to start saving energy and improving your workplace environment for your employees and customers