C.D.S. Newsletter April 2009
In this issue...
- New Feature in TRACE 700 Helps Resolve Errors
- Chilled-Beam and Displacement Ventilation Systems in TRACE 700 Version 6.2.1
- Save Time with Available Resources
- Meet the C.D.S. Support Staff...Mike Patterson
- Frequently Asked Questions: TOPSS, TAP
New “Scan for Errors” Feature Available in TRACE 700
A new feature is available in TRACE 700 that automatically scans a
file for common errors during the calculation process. Scan for Errors
is a troubleshooting feature that can also be run manually by clicking
the Scan for Errors button on the Calculate and View Results
screen.
If any errors are found, they are displayed on an
error log. More specific information about the error(s) can be
accessed by clicking the View Details button on the screen. The error
log may also be opened in Notepad by clicking the View in Notepad
option, enabling the user to edit the file while continuing to view
the errors report.
Some examples of common errors include
the following:
- Systems that have improperly designed optimum start schedules
- Zone-level systems that do not have room thermostats
- Systems that do not have humidistats but include direct dehumidification
- Rooms that do not have CO2 sensors but the systems include demand controlled ventilation based on CO2
- Room ventilation schedules that do not match when the rooms share a single set of outside air dampers
- Improperly defined wall and roof materials that do not include outside/inside film resistances
- Systems that have the return air path defined as a plenum but the plenum has been zeroed out in the assigned rooms
- Static pressures missing for fan types defined in Create Systems
- Custom library information is missing and the file cannot be calculated
- Missing ASHRAE Design weather information for custom weather locations
- Design supply air dry bulb temperatures that exceed supply air temperature reset inputs
For more information about this feature, refer to the online help file in TRACE 700.
Chilled-Beam and Displacement Ventilation System Types Available in TRACE 700
Chilled beams and displacement ventilation can now be modeled in
TRACE 700 (version 6.2.1). TRACE is one of a very limited number of
domestic applications to model these system types. The true
performance of these systems can now be verified as opposed to using
potentially inaccurate hand calculations.
TRACE offers
two chilled-beam strategies: passive and active. Each chilled beam
system can be configured to a particular building scenario.
Five configurations of displacement ventilation systems are
available. The displacement ventilation systems include both constant
and variable volume systems, as well as systems that include auxiliary
forms of cooling such as chilled beams or ceiling panels.
Both systems include the ability to modify and configure the auxiliary
heating and cooling coils such that a wall convector could be replaced
by a fan coil. In addition, the auxiliary system fan control can be
defined, as well as the supply path for the primary air, underfloor
plenum height, and percentage of sensible gains to the occupied
layer.
For more information about these systems,
including sample scenarios, refer to the updated TRACE 700 User’s
Manual. To access the manual from the menu bar in TRACE, select Help
> Documentation > User’s Manual.
Read about all the
new features in TRACE update 6.2.1.
Resolve Questions Quickly with Support Resources
Perhaps the best-known benefit of maintaining a TRACE 700 license is
access to our support center. Whether you send an e-mail or call in,
the support center offers you solutions to whatever issue you may be
experiencing. However, three other resources are available to licensed
users: the Getting Started manual, the TRACE 700 User’s Manual, and
the Knowledge Base. These resources may contain the answers you
need.
The Getting Started Manual is particularly
beneficial for new users or those who have not used the program in a
while and want a quick refresher. Broken down into the various phases
of the program (Load/Design, Airside Systems, Plants, and Economics),
the manual walks you through the creation of a fictitious school.
Throughout the process, you will learn how to navigate the program and
perform basic functions. A completed tutorial file providing the
“approved” solution is included.
For more advanced users,
the TRACE 700 User’s Manual provides more than 400 pages of
information on how to model specific scenarios. The first two sections
include basic information and an overview of the program phases. The
remaining sections delve into detailed aspects of how to model
different applications. For example, how to model various chiller
plant arrangements, cogeneration, free-cooling, air-to-air energy
recovery, dedicated outdoor air units, and ASHRAE Standard 62.1 are
just a few of the many items covered in this manual. A modeling guide
for LEED® is also included, as well as a section on common modeling
mistakes. This is an invaluable resource in which you can find answers
to many of your questions.
Electronic versions of both
manuals can be accessed from TRACE. Open the Help menu, click
Documentation, and then click the appropriate manual. Printed books
are available to order for $100 from C.D.S. email us at CDSadmin@trane.com or call
608.787.3936.
If you cannot find the answer to your
question in either manual, access our Knowledge Base on www.tranecds.com. The recently
updated Knowledge
Base contains the frequently asked questions we see in the
support center. Simply select the program you have a question about
and choose from the list of topics. This is a great place to go if you
cannot find the answer in the User’s Manual and before trying the
support center.
These resources were developed for
licensed users and offer a wealth of information to quickly answer
common application questions. Our support center is always available,
but you may be able to save time by utilizing one of these resources
first—take time to review them today!
Meet the C.D.S. Support Staff...Mike Patterson
Mike joined Trane in May 2007 as a marketing engineer with C.D.S. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force Academy with a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Mechanics. He earned his MBA from Regis University. In his current role, Mike supports customers with many Trane software programs including TRACE 700, System Analyzer, and Engineering Toolbox. Mike grew up outside Fort Worth, Texas and enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter.
Q. What three items would you want if stranded on a desert island?
My wife and daughter plus these 3 things...
A good book
(as opposed to a bad one).
A healthy supply of coffee.
A
satellite TV so I can watch Texas beat Oklahoma in football!
What is the most enlightening book you've read in the past year?
Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Frequently Asked Support Questions
Why am I getting an expiration message when I launch TOPSS?
Due to AHRI requests as well as a continuous effort to provide
customers with the most current information, Trane has implemented a
new version control process for TOPSS. TOPSS customers are currently
required to update software to ensure they are using the most current
Trane product selections. Trane continuously strives to improve
product and this new version control process will ensure consistency
and accuracy. In addition, the TOPSS team is working on improving the
download process.
The current version of TOPSS is
8.6.036. The following are install/update instructions:
Before downloading we suggest that you uninstall the current
version of the program using the following steps.
1. If you want to save previous selections, copy the job
files with .psd extensions to another location outside of the \TOPSS
folder.
2. Uninstall TOPSS by choosing the Start >
Settings > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs. Select TOPSS
and Remove it.
3. Go into Windows Explorer and delete the
\TOPSS folder.
4. Choose Start > Search > For Files
or Folders. Search for the TOPSS.ini file and delete it.
To download TOPSS:
Customers who would like to download and install a copy of
TOPSS version 8.6.036, click
here.
Please note that Windows 2000 or newer is
required. The user will need temporary administration rights to their
computer during the installation process.
Select TOPSS
8.6.036 Full Version
Enter your customer ID when prompted(your customer ID is
a three character number preceded by #).
Click
Save to copy the update to your local hard drive. (Hint: Saving
the file on your desktop will make it easy to find.) Download time
will vary depending on your connection.
Once the file
download is complete, double click on the .exe to install the
application.
Remember to uninstall prior to
downloading the update.
If you have any questions feel free to
contact C.D.S.
Support .
What is the correct way to model breakout or radiated noise in a
duct passing through a room in Trane Acoustics Program (TAP)?
How do I model sound in the room?
The sound radiated from a duct passing through or above the ceiling tile of a room is modeled using the duct breakout element in TAP. The duct breakout element (elements, sound transmission, duct breakout/in) calculates how much of the sound inside the duct passes through the duct wall to the area surrounding the duct.

The duct breakout sound element is only used in a duct breakout
sound path (see figure above). A duct breakout sound path contains all
the elements required to model the sound traveling from the sound
source to the portion of the ductwork that is over the room where duct
breakout is a concern. After the duct breakout element, the sound path
then continues outside the duct. For example, if the duct is in a
ceiling plenum the next element would be a ceiling transmission
loss element to account for the transmission loss of sound
traveling through the ceiling and into the room.
Once in
the room, an indoor receiver sound correction element is used
to account for the acoustical character of the room. Choose the
Diffuse Field Theory from the Room Equation box (Elements>Receiver
Sound Correction>Indoor). As the description notes, this equation
is used for sound from a line source. Both the duct breakout
element and Diffuse Field Theory elements ask for the length of
the duct. This is the length of the duct over the room (or area) of concern.

If the duct is wrapped with a special material to increase
transmission loss (e.g., a weighted vinyl or gypsum board) use a duct
lagging element (elements, duct sound attenuators, lagging) in
addition to, and directly after, the duct breakout element to model
the added material.
An example file is installed with
TAP. A documented example can be found in the TAP "Getting
Started User's Manual" as well.
What are the limitations of the TAP trial software on Trane.com?
The demo is set up to model a maximum of two paths and seven items
per path. The licensed version offers unlimited number of paths and
items per path. The output in the demo can be viewed but not
printed.
Download the TAP
trial software.
C.D.S. Newsletter August 2009