Final Report for Mini-Code Tester Upgrade

Abstract

The Mini-Code tester was a senior design project provided by Carrier Corporation. The mini code tester was an already implemented system that was outdated and needed redesigned to improve operator usability and increase measurement accuracy. The device is used to test airflow leakage on furnace cabinets and fan coil cabinets designed at Carrier Corporations residential engineering laboratory. This project was focus on automating a completely manual system. The old Mini-Code tester’s instrumentation was manually measured, and data produced by the system was all hand recorded by a technician in an excel spreadsheet. For the upgrade the device was fitted with digital sensors and a data acquisition system to both tighten the accuracy of the system and to digitally record data. The specifications provided by Carrier Corporation were met and satisfied the customers’ requirements for the testing performed on the device. The sensors were selected to meet ASHRAE Standards and Guidelines for this type of system. While this project focused specifically on the hardware and software portion of the redesign; the Mini-Code tester’s measurement duct also underwent a complete redesign outside of the scope of the project that occurred simultaneously. This work was completed by engineers and technicians at Carrier Corporation.