Introduction

The correct measurement of volume flows at larger air inlets and outlets often presents a challenge in everyday measurement.

A volume flow is the volume of a medium which moves through a cross-section in a time unit.

The unit for volume flow is m3/s. A volume flow Q is calculated using the following formula:

Q=vxA

v: average flow velocity in [m/s]

A: Area of the cross-section at the location under consideration in [m²]

The reasons for this are turbulence and different directions of flow which are created at the air inlets and outlets. Complex handling of the flow hoods
which are currently on the market also makes measurement more difficult.

The testo 420 volume flow hood provides a remedy due to

 lightweight and simple set-up,

 high-precision measurement via a flow straightened,

 large, tilting display, and

 app connection for quick and easy reporting.

With the testo 420, air conditioning engineers can undertake the regulation of volume flows at larger air inlets and outlets easily and efficiently, for
instance in industry or offices.

This means they can comply with hygiene guidelines and regulations on room air quality (e.g. DIN EN 16211).

Measuring Principle
The measuring principle of the testo 420 is based on the back pressure method, similar to the principle of a Pitot tube

The air flow velocity is recorded at 16 measuring points via the differential pressure cross, whereas the static pressure is recorded on the opposite
side.

The actual measuring instrument measures the differential pressure. The volume flow is calculated from the differential pressure measured.

The flow straightener, which is placed very high up, means the air flow velocity is virtually rectified and hits the openings of the differential pressure
cross cleanly
Testo 420 volume flow hood
The testo 420 is used to regulate volume flows at larger air inlets and outlets, where funnels can no longer be used in association with
flow probes, or where a timed and multi-point measurement with a vane is too difficult or takes too long.

The testo 420 enables the measurement of flow velocity, volume flow, absolute pressure, temperature and relative humidity.

Automatic zeroing ensures higher accuracy for low pressures.

The volume flow hood comprises a body, the detachable measuring instrument and the flow hood

Weight and Set-up

With its weight of less than 2.9 kg, the testo 420 is the lightest volume flow hood on the market (as of 2015).

This means that frequent volume flow measurements in large rooms and measurements above head height can also be carried out
reliably and comfortably.

The volume flow hood is quick and easy to set up thanks to the funnel-shaped tension rod sockets into which the rods are inserted
The tension rods are pushed through the hood from above along the marked line and inserted into the funnel in the body at the bottom

Simple operating concept

The testo 420's operating concept is simply and clearly designed. An on/off button and a keypad with the following functions are available to the user:

 Menu key

 4 arrow keys for navigating through the menu structure

 Enter key for confirmation

 The esc key is used to cancel or to go back a step

 Measuring key to start and stop the measurement or to keep it for a single measurement (“Hold”)

 Save key for saving the readings

Menu guidance occurs at most on 3 levels, as the following example makes clear

Flow Strengthener
The very thing that creates a pleasant indoor climate for people is a problem when it comes to volume flow measurement at the outlet - the swirl grille
which continually makes the flow turbulent.

With the testo 420 volume flow hood, these measurement errors can be significantly reduced.

The integrated flow straightener calms the turbulence and converts it into a virtually uniform air flow. This enables accurate calculation of volume flow in
the 80 to 3500 m³/h range.

The functional principle of the integrated flow straightener was developed and patented by Testo

Tilting Display
The testo 420 has a large, illuminated display where all the measuring values can be read off.

The instrument can be tilted by more than 90° and removed for user-friendly reading of measuring values.

This is very practical, because measurements are often carried out at ceiling outlets and above head height.

The testo 420 volume flow hood with its integrated measuring instrument was not just developed for volume flow measurement at larger ceiling outlets.

The measuring instrument can be taken off the hood and can be used for pressure, as well as flow and volume flow measurements, using a Pitot
tube in the duct (you will find out more about this in the Application section).

This means air conditioning engineers can save on the purchase of an additional measuring instrument
Mobile App
For the testo 420, there is a free smartphone app for mobile terminals. The app supports both the iOS and Android operating systems.

App integration enables mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, to be used as a secondary display and remote control via Bluetooth.

This is particularly practical for volume flow measurement on very high ceiling outlets, where a tripod is used. In fact, it is then only possible to read the
measurement data on the testo 420's display with difficulty.

The app enables both live measurement on heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems (HVAC systems) using a start/stop function and the saving
of measurement data in txt format.

The measurement report can thus be created directly on site and sent by e-mail using the app

Range of functions of the mobile app for testo 420

Operation of the instrument for measurements with tripod:

 Second display
 Start/stop
 Save
 Measurement data management

Report creation:

 Customer-specific report templates

 Total volume flow / air exchange rate calculations

Dispatch by e-mail:

 Direct dispatch of the readings

 Dispatch of the report
Hoses

Another optional accessory is the connection hose. This silicon hose is 5 metres long and has a load capacity up to a maximum of 700 hPa (Mbar).

The testo 420 can for example be connected to a Pitot tube via the hose.

The detachable instrument means that, using the connection hoses, the testo 420 can also be used for pressure, flow and volume flow measurements
via a Pitot tube in the duct.

This means air conditioning engineers can save on the purchase of an additional measuring instrument

Pitot Tube
The silicon hose means a Pitot tube can be connected to the testo 420 for the measurement of flow velocity.

The stainless steel hose has a diameter of 7 mm and can be bought in 3 sizes.

 Length 350 mm (item no.: 0635 2045)

 Length 700 mm (item no.: 0635 2145)

 Length 1000 mm (item no.: 0635 2345)

Longer designs can be made at the customer's request.

Technical data of the Pitot tube:

Measuring range 1 ... 100 m/s

Operating temperature 0 ... +600 °C

Pitot tube factor 1.0

Target Groups
The testo 420 is not only sold through direct sales but also via trade.

The target groups of the volume flow meter are:

 Trade air conditioning/vetilation

 The target group contains small to medium sized craft enterprises, which are specialized in commissioning, installation and maintenance of air
conditioning and ventilation systems. This includes the determination of the nominal volume flow at larger air inlets and outlets.

 So far, the artisan often could not set exactly the systems of its customers due to swirls/turbulences. The testo 420 with the patent pending
rectifier (property rights in DE, USA, FR, CN, JP) reduces the previously existing measurement error significantly

 Building climate

 Building climate technicians of the in-house home automation of an industrial company, a bank or a public building monitor the building climate
and take over maintenance and service measures at HVAC systems.

 The simple handling and the low weight (2.9 kg) allow the technicians a quick check of the volume flow of air inlets and outlets

 Building equipment and servcices

 HVACR services are independent facility management service providers who carry out the maintenance and repair of ventilation and air
conditioning systems in companies.

 By the App-connection of the testo 420 measuring results can be assigned to application-specific report templates and can be sent via e-mail.
The quick and simple assembly and disassembly and the easy handling are also very profitable

Especially with the features measuring accuracy and simple handling Testo is able to score with the testo 420 at the climate and building technicians of
the three target groups

Carrying out the measurement

Measurement of volume flows at air inlets and outlets with the testo 420 is carried out as follows:

1. Select suitable volume flow hood according to the size of the outlet and set up instrument.

2. Fit hood onto the swirl outlet and start the measurement.

3. Wait approx. 5 seconds until the reading for the flow velocity has adjusted. 

4. Press the button which is integrated into the handle on the left 

(= hold function), so that the reading is shown on the display and no longer changes.

5. Take down flow hood and save the reading with the “save key”.

6. If necessary, carry out measurements at other swirl outlets in the room. There is the option of having all the saved values for a room or
building added together to make a total volume flow.

7. Compare measured volume flow with setpoint volume flow and if necessary readjust HVAC system; if appropriate, check at the outlets
again

Public and commercial buildings

A high CO2 concentration in the room leads to fatigue, and may even cause illness. For this reason, sufficient oxygen must be introduced into both
public and commercial buildings, offices and schools by an exchange of fresh air. The workplace directive DIN EN 13779 even requires specific outside 
air flows, depending on the activity of the people in the room:

 20-40 m³/h per person for a predominantly sitting activity

 40-60 m³/h per person for a predominantly non-sitting activity

  over 65 m³/h per person for heavy physical activity

In order to meet these standards, air conditioning engineers regularly test the total volume flows of the HVAC system

Laboratory and clean rooms

In clean rooms and laboratories, as well as for food producers, hygiene is a particularly sensitive topic.

This is why HVAC systems in such areas are also required to adhere to stringent standards and guidelines.

The EN ISO 14644 standard, for example, defines the degree of purity of the ambient air in a clean room, which in its turn must be maintained by a
specific air exchange rate. Depending on the HVAC system, this rate must be checked several times a year by an air conditioning engineer, through
measurement of the total volume flow at the air outlet or in the duct.

Hygiene is also a top priority in hospitals, which means the legally prescribed air exchange rate has to be regularly checked here too

Storage areas and production facilities

Indoor air climate in production companies from the food, tobacco, paper, textiles or wood industries must accomplish two tasks at the same time.

On the one hand, it must not endanger the health of the staff. And on the other, it should guarantee uniform ambient conditions for a flawless production
process, and highest product quality.

This is why the HVAC systems in such areas are required to adhere to stringent norms and guidelines. The crucial factor here is the
prescribed air exchange rate.

Depending on the HVAC system, this rate must be checked several times a year by an air conditioning engineer, through measurement of the total
volume flow at the air outlet or in the duct

Pitot tube in duct

The air velocity can be determined in the duct using a Pitot tube.
This is possible with the testo 420, because the measuring instrument can be taken off the hood and has an appropriate measurement
program. The volume flow can be determined via a multi-point or timed or timed/multi-point measurement using the integrated
measurement program.

The volume flow can be displayed immediately at the end of the measurement by inputting the duct geometry.
In the instrument, the shape of the channel can be selected and the corresponding data can be entered; a calculation is effected by the device

This means it is possible to measure the overall performance of the HVAC system directly on the incoming / outgoing air duct using the
testo 420's measuring instrument. This value can be used as a setpoint value for the total volume flow which has been measured at the
individual outlets in the building and appropriately added up

Pressure measurement at the filter

Air filters must be checked for the current pressure difference at regular intervals. The filter manufacturers specify a maximum pressure that must
not be exceeded. Leaving it too late to change the filter can cause the filter to tear and let the particles permeate through to the next filter stage.

Differential pressure measurement can be carried out using the testo 420's detached measuring instrument and the connection hoses (item no. 0554
0440).

The pressure is measured before and after the filter; there are appropriate instrument glands here in well-planned systems.

The connection hoses of the differential pressure measuring instrument are connected to the instrument glands for the measurement. The differential
pressure can the be read on the instrument. If this is too high, the filter is contaminated and must be replaced

Competitors
The flow hoods which are currently on the market are large, cumbersome to transport, time-consuming to set up, weigh a lot and are therefore not easy
to handle. These are exactly the points on which the testo 420 impresses through its low weight, easy set-up and high-precision measurement thanks to
the flow straightener.

There are currently 7 relevant competitors for the testo 420 on the market. We will look more closely at the 4 main competitors below:

 TSI 8380

 KIMO DB610

 Kanomax 6715

 Shortridge CFM88L

TSI, KIMO and Kanomax predominantly sell their hoods in the European market.

Shortridge has its headquarters in the USA and is our biggest competitor there. Heating and refrigeration is mainly achieved via ventilation systems in
the USA. This means that the number of enquiries regarding volume flow hoods is very high here