Effective air curtain control is crucial for minimising energy consumption by adjusting performance to suit real-time conditions. Using appropriate controls alongside auxiliary devices optimises airflow, enhancing the barrier effect and preventing air infiltration through doorways.
What is an air curtain?
An air curtain is a large fan mounted above an entrance that blows a stream of air downward to separate two environmental spaces while still allowing passage and visibility through the opening. If you have ever walked through an automatic sliding door and felt a rush of air as you crossed the threshold, you have experienced an air curtain! Air curtains are commonly used in commercial or industrial settings and their main purpose is to help contain conditioned air by providing an invisible protection over commercial or industrial building doorways without limiting the access of people or vehicles.
An air curtain is a large fan mounted above an entrance that blows a stream of air downward to separate two environmental spaces while still allowing passage and visibility through the opening. If you have ever walked through an automatic sliding door and felt a rush of air as you crossed the threshold, you have experienced an air curtain! Air curtains are commonly used in commercial or industrial settings and their main purpose is to help contain conditioned air by providing an invisible protection over commercial or industrial building doorways without limiting the access of people or vehicles.
Not only does an air curtain provide significant energy savings and enhance personal comfort, but it also helps to stop the infiltration of pollutants and flying insects when applied in both industrial or commercial settings.
What does an air curtain do?
It separates different interior spaces requiring specific conditions and shields a building interior from unwanted outside conditions such as:
- Unconditioned air (not heated or cooled)
- Flying pests and the pathogens they bear
- Dirt and debris, often driven by wind
- Unpleasant odours
- Air causing discomfort for occupants
- Air that alters interior temperatures, increasing HVAC workload and operating costs, and shortening equipment lifespan.
It separates different interior spaces requiring specific conditions and shields a building interior from unwanted outside conditions such as:
- Unconditioned air (not heated or cooled)
- Flying pests and the pathogens they bear
- Dirt and debris, often driven by wind
- Unpleasant odours
- Air causing discomfort for occupants
- Air that alters interior temperatures, increasing HVAC workload and operating costs, and shortening equipment lifespan.
How does and air curtain work?
Generally, air enters the unit through the inlet grille, which may have filter functions. This air is compressed by internal fans and forced through an air outlet directed at the open doorway.
The filter protects internal components (heat exchanger, fans, electronics, etc.) from dust and particles.
The fans in an air curtain can be direct or belt-driven. The most commonly used types are centrifugal, axial, and cross-flow fans.
Some air outlets and/or lamellae are adjustable to enhance the performance of the air curtain based on specific conditions.
For heated air curtains, a coil (electric, hot/chilled water, steam, indirect or direct gas, direct expansion, etc.) is used to heat or cool the jet. Heating prevents people from feeling a cold blast of air when crossing the doorway and helps warm the incoming air.
What are the advantages an air curtain has?
Hygienic and Healthy Atmosphere: Acts as a barrier against pests and insects and airborne dust, pollution, fumes and odours thus helping for maintaining a healthy environment.
Energy Savings: Reduces energy losses from conditioned spaces and lowers the required capacity for heating and cooling systems, it also decreases building running costs and CO2 emissions.
Increased Safety: Enhances visibility and prevents collisions by eliminating physical obstructions, it facilitates evacuation through exit doorways during fires or emergencies, but also acts as a barrier against fire smoke in special applications.
Added Value: Easy access to public buildings, control of uncomfortable sensations and increased comfort.
Hygienic and Healthy Atmosphere: Acts as a barrier against pests and insects and airborne dust, pollution, fumes and odours thus helping for maintaining a healthy environment.
Energy Savings: Reduces energy losses from conditioned spaces and lowers the required capacity for heating and cooling systems, it also decreases building running costs and CO2 emissions.
Increased Safety: Enhances visibility and prevents collisions by eliminating physical obstructions, it facilitates evacuation through exit doorways during fires or emergencies, but also acts as a barrier against fire smoke in special applications.
Added Value: Easy access to public buildings, control of uncomfortable sensations and increased comfort.
Why an air curtain needs to be controlled?
Effective air curtain control is crucial for minimising energy consumption by adjusting the air curtain performance to suit real-time conditions.
Using appropriate controls alongside auxiliary devices enables users to optimise airflow, enhancing the barrier effect and preventing air infiltration through doorways.
Basic air curtain control
Basic controllers allow manual adjustment of ventilation speed and heating stages.
These can be transformer-based controllers or variable fan speed controllers. The choice depends on your needs and air curtain specifications.
Control can be realised locally or remotely, depending on your choice of controller.
Basic controllers allow manual adjustment of ventilation speed and heating stages.
These can be transformer-based controllers or variable fan speed controllers. The choice depends on your needs and air curtain specifications.
Control can be realised locally or remotely, depending on your choice of controller.
Demand-based air curtain control
Here, the technology used can be both transformer-based or TRIAC (i.e. variable fan speed controllers), but better! Advanced controllers offer automatic functioning - adjusting ventilation and/or heating based on current conditions, however, besides a controller you need other devices such as sensors, which can measure various air parameters – temperature, humidity, TVOC, CO2 or even toxic gases.
Such solutions can offer compatibility with BMS systems, external ON/OFF switches, thermostatic control, etc. Also, a variety of safety and efficiency features can be achieved for clever control!
Why air curtain clever control?
External sensors and devices enhance the air curtain performance, ensuring protection and efficiency in various scenarios.
Here, the technology used can be both transformer-based or TRIAC (i.e. variable fan speed controllers), but better! Advanced controllers offer automatic functioning - adjusting ventilation and/or heating based on current conditions, however, besides a controller you need other devices such as sensors, which can measure various air parameters – temperature, humidity, TVOC, CO2 or even toxic gases.
Such solutions can offer compatibility with BMS systems, external ON/OFF switches, thermostatic control, etc. Also, a variety of safety and efficiency features can be achieved for clever control!
Why air curtain clever control?
External sensors and devices enhance the air curtain performance, ensuring protection and efficiency in various scenarios.
For example, installing a door contact linked to the air curtain will result in the air curtain turning off or operating at a low speed and heating stage when the door is closed, conserving energy. When the door opens, the air curtain will increase ventilation speed and heating to safeguard the doorway.
Another example is connecting the air curtain to a room thermostat, which adjusts or halts heating once the desired temperature is reached.
Why are Sentera’s controllers the ideal choice for your air curtain?
Effortless installation: Our devices feature a simplified installation and wiring process, making setup quick and hassle-free.
Intuitive, user-friendly interface: Sentera provides a straightforward interface designed to facilitate ease of use for all users.
High-quality design and manufacturing: Our products are manufactured in the European Union using premium quality components. Sentera’s R&D team develops electronics with the latest trends in the field, and to ensure superior quality, we produce our enclosures in-house. This means they are specifically designed to fit the electronics perfectly.
Durability and longevity: With over 25 years in the business, our products are built to last, ensuring reliable performance for an extended period.
Resistant to moisture: Sentera’s R&D team employs the latest trends in the field to develop moisture-resistant electronics. Our in-house produced enclosures are designed specifically to protect the electronics from moisture.
Various control options available: Choose between TRIAC and transformer-based options, with manual (both local and remote control) or on-demand control available.
Modbus communication compatibility: Modbus is our company standard, ensuring robust and reliable communication.
Seamless integration with your existing Building Management System (BMS): Our controllers are designed to integrate effortlessly with your existing BMS, providing a cohesive and efficient solution.
Intuitive, user-friendly interface: Sentera provides a straightforward interface designed to facilitate ease of use for all users.
High-quality design and manufacturing: Our products are manufactured in the European Union using premium quality components. Sentera’s R&D team develops electronics with the latest trends in the field, and to ensure superior quality, we produce our enclosures in-house. This means they are specifically designed to fit the electronics perfectly.
Durability and longevity: With over 25 years in the business, our products are built to last, ensuring reliable performance for an extended period.
Resistant to moisture: Sentera’s R&D team employs the latest trends in the field to develop moisture-resistant electronics. Our in-house produced enclosures are designed specifically to protect the electronics from moisture.
Various control options available: Choose between TRIAC and transformer-based options, with manual (both local and remote control) or on-demand control available.
Modbus communication compatibility: Modbus is our company standard, ensuring robust and reliable communication.
Seamless integration with your existing Building Management System (BMS): Our controllers are designed to integrate effortlessly with your existing BMS, providing a cohesive and efficient solution.
Sentera can provide a broad range of controllers, from standard manual models to advanced systems with automatic functions and BMS connectivity. Just tell us what you need!