Fault detection in HVAC plants based on constraint suspension

Abstract

Constraint suspension is a physical model based approach to fault detection and diagnosis. Its capabilities are demonstrated by describing how it might be applied to data recorded from an air conditioning unit installed in a factory. One possible implementation is outlined and results obtained from applying this are given. Issues relating to suitability, accuracy and sensitivity are discussed. Constraint suspension is unlikely to be readily applicable to the detection of faults embedded in controller implementations and it is therefore proposed that a simple rule-based system be appended to accommodate this limitation.