The NEC and HVAC Chapter Two

The NEC and HVAC Chapter Two - Chapter Two of the National Electrical Code (NEC) covers Wiring and Protection and starts at Branch Circuits, Feeder circuits, GFCI requirements and protection. An HVAC installer may want to pay attention to branch circuit requirements. Article 220 in Chapter two of the NEC includes calculations for branch and feeder circuits including service calculations. (Table 220.3) (more…)

Find Tonnage on AHU | HVAC Equipment Nomenclature

Find Tonnage on AHU | HVAC Equipment Nomenclature - How do I find out the tonnage on an AHU (Air Handling Unit)? The label/tag has faded all I have on file is the model number and the serial number, make.

Question Posted By Francisco the Building Engineer on May 3, 2011

Refer to the manufacturer’s website for their HVAC nomenclature of the model number and serial numbers and how those numbers correspond to the tonnage and other technical data. Or you can call your local dealer for the manufacturer and they will tell you. (more…)

Building Automation Systems | HVAC Control

What you will learn from this Building Automation Systems article:

  1. The efficiency and conveniences Building Automation Systems add to the building control systems and HVAC systems
  2. How Building Automation enhances building energy savings and troubleshooting problems
  3. How allowing controllers to communicate with each other enhances HVAC and electrical systems
  4. Many of the benefits of Building Automation Systems for Building Automation and Building Control Systems
  5. Communication Protocols and Integration of HVAC Systems, Lighting, and other Building Control Systems
  6. Building Control System User Interface for Remote Monitoring and Control
  7. Monitoring Energy Consumption and Energy Efficiency
  8. Lastly, resource and Related Links to help you learn more

Many people wonder what Building Automation Systems (BAS) can do. The primary use of BAS is commercial HVAC control systems and energy management system applications. Building Automation itself is an energy management system that saves management companies and building owners by efficiently controlling air conditioning and heating comfort and process systems.

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Thermostat Wiring Colors Code | HVAC Control

Thermostat Wiring Colors Code Page Navigation

    1. Essential Thermostat Wiring Color Guide Including Manufacturers Instructions
    2. Thermostat Terminal Designations Quick Guide - Detail Wiring Color Guide Below
      • Red-Wire - connects to the R terminal with the red wire
      • RC-Wire - connects to the RC terminal RC red
      • RH-Wire - connects to RH terminal RH heat
      • Y-Wire - connects to the Y terminal and is for cooling stage 1 with the yellow wire
      • Y2-Wire - connects to Y2 terminal and is for cooling stage 2
      • W-Wire - connects to W terminal and for heat stage 1 with the white wire
      • W2-Wire - connects to W2 terminal and for heat stage 2
      • G-Wire - connects to G terminal and for fan operation with the green wire
      • C-Wire - connects to C terminal (common 24v power) with the C wire
      • O or B-Wire - connects to O or B terminal and is for reversing valve operation
      • E-Wire - connects to E terminal and is for Emergency heat
      • X or Aux-Wire - connects to X terminal and is for auxiliary
      • S1 and S2 Wires - connects to S1/S2 terminals and is for outdoor temperature sensor
    3. Thermostat Wire Color Code Chart
    4. Tracing the Wire to the Source
    5. Additional Resources

    What you will learn in the Thermostat Wiring Colors Code article:

    1. First, what thermostat wire colors is likely to go to which terminal on the thermostat in your heating and cooling system
    2. Secondly, the function of each wire terminal on the average thermostat highlighting some of the differences in those HVAC system functions from manufacturer to manufacturer as recommended for thermostat wire color
Sometimes, the thermostat is not the problem. Please check this article for a checklist of things to check before calling a heating and cooling repair service.

Thermostat Wiring Colors Code | HVAC Control


Thermostat Wiring Colors CodeAlways follow the thermostat manufacturer’s instructions whenever changing the thermostat. Always turn the power off at the air handler and the condenser and make sure there is no voltage at the transformer before proceeding.

  • Furthermore, the thermostat wire colors below are the most likely colors used for most installations; however, your thermostat wire colors may be different than what the indication is here. There is no official standard for thermostat wire colors. Additionally, thermostat wiring colors are not standardized. However, these are the most wiring methods used based on my years of experience in the HVAC field, where I successfully wired a lot of thermostats and as recommended by manufacturers and common sense for thermostat wiring colors code.

    For instructions on how to wire a thermostat, please see how to wire a thermostat page. Refer back to this page for thermostat wire colors.

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  • Chilled Water Pipe Vibration Isolators | HVAC Piping

    Chilled Water Pipe Vibration Isolators
    Chilled Water Pipe Vibration Isolators - Vibration isolators protect the chilled water piping from receiving vibrations transmitted through the piping when the chillers are running. The vibrations can create problems not only for the chilled water piping but also for the building’s structure. The vibration isolators reduce or eliminate the vibrations that can be transmitted by the chillers. (more…)

    Hot Water Unit Heater Mechanical Room Protection

    Hot Water Unit Heater Protecting a Mechanical RoomHot Water Unit Heater Protecting Mechanical Room - Unit heaters are used in various places to protect equipment and provide comfort to occupants. This hot water unit heater provides protection for a mechanical room where there is a large air handler and other associated equipment in the mechanical room. This system is controlled by DDC. A thermostat on the wall detects the temperature of the mechanical room. (more…)

    BAS DDC Learning | HVAC Skills

    BAS DDC Learning

    Siemens Apogee DDC Controller

    BAS DDC Learning | HVAC - HVAC Building Automation Systems (BAS) or Direct Digital Controls (DDC) is pretty much one and the same. Basically described BAS and DDC are combining air conditioning, heating, ventilation, lighting, electrical loads, security systems, and life and safety systems to a computer and complex algorithms for better control over the systems. (more…)

    York Versus Carrier Air Conditioners

    York Versus Carrier Air ConditionersYork Versus Carrier Air Conditioners - Every manufacturer has their own parts system and sometimes these parts are readily available aftermarket and sometimes the parts are proprietary and can only be purchased through the manufacturer of that equipment. Carrier is one of the HVAC manufacturers that has proprietary parts and sometimes you will pay a premium for those parts.

    The manufacturer can hold the customer hostage especially when it comes to repairing the unit. Of course, York is one of the big HVAC manufacturers and they too have proprietary parts however the parts are usually more reasonable for purchase as far as cost is concerned so people would lean towards purchasing a York simply because the replacement parts are not sold at a premium where with SOME Carrier parts are sold at a premium and are not easily replaceable except through a Carrier dealer.

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