The conference theme will be, “Education – Technicians Start Your Engines.” 

Three additional technical sessions enhance the educational program during the 71st Annual Conference in Indianapolis on September 16-20, 2008.  The 2008 conference will focus on education as well as many industry related topics and the theme will be, “Education – Technicians Start Your Engines.”  The RSES Indianapolis Chapter will host the conference.  

The three new technical sessions include:

“Electronic Valves and Controllers,” led by Al Maier of Emerson Climate Technologies Flow Controls Division (formerly Alco Controls).  This session will take place on September 19, 2008 and target an intermediate-level audience. Maier will introduce electronic stepper valves for use in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems and detail various applications such as: expansion valves; discharge regulators; crankcase regulators; and flooded evaporator controls.

In addition, Maier will discuss other topics including: sizing the valve using sizing software; the diagnostic and networking capabilities of electronic valves; and how to install, wire and program, and troubleshoot electronic stepper valves.

“Troubleshooting HVACR Systems with Infrared Thermometers and Thermography Test Tools,” and “Troubleshooting HVAC Systems and the Need to Use True RMS Meters,” will be led by Greg Jourdan, CM, professor at Wenatchee Valley College, in cooperation with Fluke Corp.  These sessions will be taught consecutively on September 18, 2008. 

Specifically, “Troubleshooting HVACR Systems with Infrared Thermometers and Thermography Test Tools,” will target an intermediate- to advanced-level audience.  Jourdan will detail many topics including: infrared energy and measurements; how emissivity impacts the quality of measurements; IR test points on HVAC equipment; radiation, reflection, absorption and transmission; guidelines for accurate IR measurements; predictive vs. preventative maintenance for customers; and testing the HVACR refrigerant flow and equipment using IR technology. 

In addition, “Troubleshooting HVAC Systems and the Need to Use True RMS Meters,” will target an intermediate- to advanced-level audience.  Jourdan will cover many topics including: comparing theoretical sine waves to actual sine waves; linear vs. non-linear loads at the HVAC load; waveform distortion when harmonics are present; the harmonic spectrum; problems caused by the harmonics to the HVAC unit; testing electronically commutated fan motors and variable-speed drives and how to make true root-mean-square measurements. 

For more information, visitwww.rses.org.