Written By HVAC Professionals for HVAC Professionals

Field Controls Double-Acting Barometric Dampers

Most oil heating contractors are familiar with single-acting barometric dampers. These devices control the overfire draft pressure of the burner. This pressure controls the amount of air entering the oil burner and maintains stable combustion. Controlling air on gas equipment should be just as important!

The Field Controls Double-Acting Barometric Type MG-1 Damper differs from its single-acting cousin in that not only does it control updrafts, but it also relieves downdrafts.

The original purpose behind relieving downdrafts was preventing standing pilots from blowing out. Other than water heaters, today there aren’t many standing pilot appliances left. But the double-acting barometric damper is still helpful.

Field Controls Barometric Dampers

Its ability to relieve downdraft or positive pressure is beneficial because you can add a safety spill switch to turn off equipment if there is a downdraft and, more importantly, a blocked flue .

The MG-1 is sensitive to as little as -.005′ w.c. pressure change. This allows it to control venting and combustion air to equipment and maintain stable combustion. On drafthood-type equipment, it replaces the drafthood and connects the equipment to the flue rather than isolating the flue. This controls combustion air to the burner, allowing the proper supply of fuel by maintaining the outlet draft pressure. If the draft drops too low, flue gases will spill out of the barometric damper and trip the safety switch.

The same holds true if the flue becomes restricted or blocked.

On sealed flues, such as induced draft equipment, this also regulates combustion air to the burner. It can also maintain equipment efficiency when there is an excessive draft.

Hard to believe that such a simple device can do amazing things!

For more information on the Field Controls MG-1 or to order this double-acting barometric damper, visit the NCI store at ncilink.com/MG-1.

‘ by Jim Davis, Senior Instructor, National Comfort Institute