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A reliability program for commercial HVAC controls

Conference · · Proc., Annu. Reliab. Maintain. Symp.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6464093
The heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) industry is transitioning from traditional control systems to microprocessor-based controls. The increased demand for improved functionality and effective energy management for the industry's products has been responsible for this transition. This paper discusses the kinds of considerations that are given to the design reliability program for such a commercial control. In the commercial control problem the most rigorous reliability and quality program must be internally planned, within the cost and schedule constraints imposed by a competitive marketplace. Thus far success of such a design reliability program has been achieved by providing designers with wellspecified reliability and environmental requirements up front; controlling electrical and thermal component stresses in the design; performing thorough FMEA's which relate to the system level effects of failure; qualifying all components for the application; identifying and protecting critical components; performing thorough control qualification tests; and protecting the design by devoting ample resources to a thorough production quality program. The net result presented is that reliability and profitability of solid-state HVAC controls are being improved through a systematic technology transfer of selected military and aerospace reliability techniques to commercial applications.
Research Organization:
Carrier Corp., Syracuse, NY
OSTI ID:
6464093
Report Number(s):
CONF-830106-
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Proc., Annu. Reliab. Maintain. Symp.; (United States)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English