Basics
What is a "calorie machine"?
The term "calorie device" might generally sound like a device for measuring the calories in food. However, in the air conditioning and heat pump industry, it's used to refer to testing equipment used to evaluate cooling and heating capacity, etc.
Currently, the cooling and heating capacity of air conditioners is expressed in kW. According to the Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association, cooling and heating capacity represents the amount of heat energy that the air conditioner removes from or adds to a room per unit time.
In other words, for the general public, the easiest way to explain it is as "a testing facility to measure how well an air conditioner can cool or heat."
For people who are familiar with the term "calories," explaining it as a "calorie testing device" will make it easier to understand its purpose. For those hearing it for the first time, rephrasing it as an "air conditioner performance testing device" will also make it easier to communicate its function.
Compare
What is the difference between performance testing and durability testing?
Air conditioner testing includes tests that evaluate the product's performance and tests that evaluate changes and durability due to long-term use.
| Comparison items | Performance Testing | Durability and reliability evaluation |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Check the performance, such as heating and cooling capacity and power consumption | Check for performance changes and malfunctions caused by prolonged and repeated operation. |
| Test conditions | Set temperature, humidity, etc. according to the standards and evaluation conditions. | Set operating conditions that simulate actual use, as well as conditions that match the evaluation objectives. |
| Information that can be obtained | Capacity, power consumption, efficiency, etc. | Changes in performance, malfunction, deterioration, etc. |
Performance tests and durability tests have different purposes. Furthermore, the actual test items and conditions vary depending on the product, standards, and internal evaluation methods.
Category
What is measured in air conditioner performance tests?
In air conditioner testing, it is necessary to properly set and measure not only the condition of the product itself, but also the temperature and humidity of the test environment.
Cooling capacity / Heating capacity
This evaluates how much heat an air conditioner can remove or add per unit time. It is currently display in kW.
Power consumption
We measure how much electricity is consumed during operation and use this data to evaluate energy efficiency.
Temperature/humidity
We appropriately set test conditions, such as indoor and outdoor conditions, and measure and manage temperature and humidity.
Other operating data
Depending on the purpose of the test, necessary data such as suction and discharge temperatures, pressure, and flow rate may be collected simultaneously.
The Annual Performance Factor (APF), which represents the energy efficiency of an air conditioner, is an index that calculates the annual cooling and heating capacity and power consumption based on multiple evaluation conditions. For commercial air conditioners, multiple evaluation points are used.
Conditions
Why is it necessary to strictly control temperature and humidity?
When comparing the performance of air conditioners, if the ambient temperature and humidity vary significantly each time a test is conducted, it becomes difficult to evaluate the performance differences between the products themselves.
Therefore, we set conditions such as temperature, humidity, and airflow based on standards and test methods, and conduct tests under the same conditions as much as possible.
Standardize the test conditions.
We set parameters such as temperature and humidity to create conditions that allow for comparison between products and between tests.
Measure the temperature accurately
We will appropriately measure the temperature on both the indoor and outdoor sides to confirm that the test conditions are being maintained.
Record the data
Saving test data makes it easier to review and compare test results later.
In other words, it's easier to understand air conditioner performance testing equipment if you think of it not as "a device that measures only the air conditioner," but as equipment that creates predetermined environmental conditions and evaluates performance while measuring and maintaining those conditions.
Users
Who uses the air conditioner testing equipment?
development and Design Department
We evaluate whether new and improved products perform as designed.
Quality Assurance Department
This is used to verify product performance, test conditions, and repeatability of test results.
Test and evaluation personnel
We set test conditions and collect data according to standards and in-house testing methods.
Sales and Technical Sales
Understanding specifications of testing equipment allows you to propose and explain equipment tailored to the customer's evaluation requirements.
Terms
What is the English word for "calorie device"?
While "calorie device" is understood as an industry/company term within Japan, when explaining it to an international audience, it's more effective to use a term that directly describes the device's function.
| Applications | Recommended expressions | supplement |
|---|---|---|
| For the general public | Air conditioner performance testing device | The most easily understandable way to express the purpose of the device. |
| Within the company / Industry | Calorie device | Used as a conventional term |
| English | Air Conditioner Performance Test System | Directly expressing the function and purpose |
| English and endurance evaluation | Air Conditioner Durability Test System | Clearly state the purpose of durability evaluation. |
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Air Conditioner Performance Testing Equipment
Q. Is a calorie measuring device a device that measures the calories in food?
No. In this field, "calorie equipment" is an industry/company term referring to testing equipment used to evaluate the heating and cooling capacity of air conditioners, heat pumps, and other similar devices.
Q. Are performance tests and durability tests the same thing?
They are not the same. Performance tests mainly evaluate performance such as heating and cooling capacity and power consumption, while durability and reliability tests check for performance changes and malfunctions through long-term operation and repeated operation.
Q. Is it sufficient to measure only the temperature when testing an air conditioner?
No. Depending on the purpose of the test, multiple parameters such as humidity, power consumption, intake and outlet temperatures, pressure, and flow rate may be measured. Which parameters are necessary depends on the product, test method, and evaluation purpose.
Q. Why is it necessary to control the temperature and humidity in the laboratory?
This is because the performance of an air conditioner varies depending on the surrounding environmental conditions. Standardizing test conditions makes it easier to compare products and tests.
Q. Can a calorie device be used in a heat pump?
It depends on the test equipment and test methods used. There are test facilities that can evaluate the performance of not only air conditioners, but also heating and cooling equipment such as heat pumps.
Summary
Air conditioner performance testing equipment is designed to "measure actual performance under the same conditions."
Equipment called "calorie devices" or "calorie testing devices" are testing facilities used to evaluate the performance of air conditioners and heat pumps.
Instead of just looking at heating and cooling capacity and power consumption, we create a test environment with temperature and humidity levels, and collect necessary measurement data to make it easier to compare and evaluate product performance.
Furthermore, in addition to performance testing, managing test conditions and data logging are also crucial for durability and reliability evaluations, which involve checking performance changes due to long-term and repeated operation.
When evaluating an air conditioner, it is important to properly manage not only the "product" but also the "testing environment."
Reference
Learn more about air conditioner performance evaluation.
- Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association, "Regarding display of Capacity for Commercial Air Conditioners"
- Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association: "Regarding APF (Annual Performance Factor) display for Commercial Air Conditioners"
- Japan Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Industry Association "JRA Standards"
*Testing methods, display methods, and applicable standards vary depending on the equipment and evaluation purpose. Please check the latest standards and industry information.
I would like to consult about testing equipment for air conditioners and heat pumps.
We can consider the necessary temperature and humidity measurement and test equipment configuration to suit the content you want to evaluate and the test conditions, such as performance testing and durability/reliability evaluation.
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