Zone HVAC Group Shape and Components

Location = Templates/System Templates/Zone HVAC Groups

The Zone HVAC Groups workspace is broken down into five main areas described in the System Templates Workspace, and is very similar in composition and capabilities to the Zone HVAC Groups Create & Edit Workspace.   The user can work with the Zone HVAC Groups in a number of ways.  They can:

• Review/Check previously created Zone HVAC Groups, which can include selecting component shapes to review the component properties, reviewing the Zone HVAC Group Controls, and/or running Validation on the ZoneHVAC Group
• Edit Zone HVAC Groups by changing component properties and/or switching out Components.  They can copy and rename or re-save the changes
• Build a Zone HVAC Group from scratch by dragging and dropping components onto the diagramming canvas and then connecting the components together.  When a user starts a Zone HVAC Group from scratch the Zone HVAC Group shape is provided as a default.

The following provide more detailed information for the main workspace areas, and the features and fields within those areas.

• System Template Naming/Selection Area - select different templates to view, edit or copy from the drop down list or name and save new ones

• Component Properties - displays all of the properties associated with the component that has been selected in the HVAC Diagramming canvas

• Stencils - the different types of components and control and sensor shapes that can be dragged and dropped onto the HVAC diagramming canvas to create a Zone HVAC Group

• HVAC Diagramming Canvas - where the Zone HVAC Group can be assembled by dragging and dropping component shapes from the stencils and utilizing the diagramming tools to connect and configure the Zone HVAC group

• Zone HVAC Group Controls - sets the heating and cooling priority for the zone equipment, so that EnergyPlus has a guide for how the zone equipment should be utilized

The Zone HVAC Group Shape has a number of important parts, which are highlighted in the diagram below:

• Connection/Anchor Points - there are a number of "blue Xs" located on the shape that enable easier placement of Zone HVAC equipment component shapes, sensors and loop connections
• Zone HVAC Equipment component shapes can be added in any of up to five positions within the shape.
• Sensors can be added in any of up to four positions along the left edge of the shape
• Air Inlet and Outlet Ports identify locations where Air Loop Connectors can be added to the shape and the Connection Points make it easier to make those connections

The image below is an example of what a more complex Zone HVAC Group Template can begin to look.  It incorporates an air terminal, four types of zone HVAC equipment (Ideal Loads, Energy Recovery Ventilator, Lightweight radiant ceiling panels and Lightweight Radiant Floor Panels) and four sensor types (temperature, pressure, daylight, relative humidity).  The default properties for each component can be reviewed and changed by selecting on the component shapes and reviewing the properties that are shown in the lower left corner of the Zone HVAC Group Workspace.  

Zone HVAC Group Setup provides an explanation of the additional process steps required, such as establishing the priority sequence for the Zone HVAC equipment.  

Applications:  How to use Zone HVAC Group Templates

• A Zone HVAC Group template can be created and saved (or the user can use the ones that are provided with Simergy) in the Templates Zone HVAC equipment workspace.
• Defining Zone HVAC Group Template for Zone HVAC Group - Then the user can go to Systems/ZoneHVAC Groups/Create/Edit and apply the Zone HVAC Group Template to a Zone HVAC Group that has been created and has thermal zones associated with it.   
• Establishing the Zone HVAC Group as the Demand Side for an Air Loop - Next the user can create an Air Loop and identify which Zone HVAC Groups will be associated with that Air Loop type.  Once a Zone HVAC Group is associated with an Air Loop it defines the Demand Side of that Air Loop.

HVAC Diagramming Tools

The figure below shows a Zone HVAC Group template on the HVAC Diagramming canvas.  There are a number of tools in the ribbon across the top that provide a range of capabilities.

Air Connector

Select when you want to draw a connection between a component, such as an air terminal or plenum, to the Zone HVAC Group shape.   The connector typically is drawn from the outlet of one component shape to the inlet of another.  In the example above the VAV Air Terminal is connected to the Zone HVAC Group by an air connector.

Note: Once selected the Air Connector will remain active until it is deselected.  Also if zone equipment, such as the 4-pipe fan coil shown above, is included in the main Zone HVAC Group, no connectors are required to be drawn for those components.

Control Connector

Select when you want to draw a connection between a controller, such as an the Zone Temperature Controller above, to a component control, Zone HVAC Group sensor or other.   The connector typically can be drawn from any of the nodes on the controller component shape to any of the nodes on the component or sensor.  

Note: Once selected the Air Connector will remain active until it is deselected.

Pointer

Can be used to select any of the components on the HVAC diagramming canvas.  By selecting a component the associated properties will be displayed in the Selected Component Information area of the workspace.

Pan

Allows you to move and reposition the diagram within the workspace.  You can also use the scroll bars at the bottom and on the right side.

Flip Horizontal

Allows you to reconfigure a selected shape and flip it horizontally.

Flip Vertical

Allows you to reconfigure a selected shape and flip it vertically.

Copy Diagram

Allows you to make a copy of the current diagram to the clipboard that can then be pasted into another document.

Hide Controls

When selected all the controllers and control connectors are hidden.  See the result below for the example above.  It is a way to simplify the diagram representation if you are working on complex templates.

Validate

Runs the Zone HVAC Group validation rule set to assess if there are any problems with the configuration.  The results are displayed in the workspace area directly below the HVAC diagramming canvas.

Zoom to Fit

Allows you to easily go back to a view of the HVAC diagramming canvas that is the extents of the overall Zone HVAC Group.

Zone HVAC Group Template Name

Displays the name of the active Zone HVAC Group Template

Zone HVAC Group Templates

The table displays the Zone HVAC Group System Templates that are included with version 1, and provides the full name of the template.  The Zone HVAC Group templates utilize a naming convention, so that the names can be represented in an abbreviated manner.  

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