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How it all comes together

Matrix 2.0, is the culmination of the innovative FCU chassis from Ability, world class PCCIV 2 port valves from Belimo, and BACnet controls.

The Matrix 2.0 FCU has the following features:

  1. Sectioned plenum allowing a single EC infinitely self-adjusting fan to serve one duct run.
  2. Individual fans self adjust to effect duct balance, removing the requirement for air balancing.
  3. Native MS/TP BACnet controller
  4. Control of both the valves and the fan speeds depending on demand.
  5. The ability to lower fan speeds when thermal demand has been satisfied.
  6. The ability, if required, to set back fan speeds when there is no occupancy – this is through a standard PIR sensor or network sensor.
  7. Two port pressure independent characterised control valves allow the controller, using a pre-configured design flow rate, to modulate between 0 & 100% of design, irrespective of system pressure.
  8. The unit, whatever other parameters have been set, watches off coil temperatures and increases fan speed if the off coil temperature drops below or rises above set limits.

These features have several benefits:

  1. No VCDs to buy, install, balance, or maintain.
  2. Almost removes the need for commissioning. All that becomes required is a checking exercise to prove to concerned parties that air/water volumes are at design. We have had reports from site where commissioning times were reduced from six weeks to four days.
  3. Fit out changes are massively simplified. Just move the duct run and the effected fan will adjust to suit the new airflow.
  4. BACnet open protocol controls, ensure compatibility.
  5. Whatever the acoustic specification may be, say NR35, the Matrix units will for the most part be running at a lower and quieter level. This is because the Matrix fan speed is only ever high enough to satisfy demand, and as demand is for most of the year below peak, the fan speeds will also be for most of the year below design speed.
  6. Low fan speeds extend the life of the fan, along with increasing the time between maintenance.
  7. At this reduced or set back speed, the Matrix fan coil will consume as little as 20% electrical load when compared to an equivalent AC model running continuously at design.
  8. The fans provide just the right amount of air, overcoming the duct static pressure/resistance to deliver the exact airflow the controller is calling for.
  9. The fan speed movements are slow and unperceivable to the occupant.
  10. Air volumes and water flow rates are adjustable both via the BMS or by the wireless laptop supplied as part of the commissioning set.
  11. All parameters are set at manufacture, but can be adjusted at any time via the BMS or laptop.
  12. The full BMS is not needed to set up the fan coils. The software will communicate to the terminal controllers alone without the need for the BMS to be installed and working.
  13. A Matrix fan coil with our controller is potentially cheaper than the standard EC with a comparable controller and equivalent to an AC unit with comparable controller. When you offset the cost of commissioning etc, hydraulic balancing and the associated equipment, it becomes cheaper as an overall package notwithstanding the fact you are getting much, much more.

The Matrix has the capability of transforming the way your projects are installed and commissioned, and ultimately revolutionise the way your clients view the air conditioning you provide them. Just think, a conventional AC unit with two fans will be losing about 140 Watts of heat from the motors plus consuming about 120 Watts electrical input. The equivalent Matrix unit (at 40% of design air flow) draws 18 Watts electrical input; a reduction of 85% with only 28 Watts heat per motor. Even if you do not want to reduce to 40% and are only happy with 60 or 70% of design, the energy savings are still fantastic.