An active network is defined as a network where the pressure differential at the boundaries of each connected consumer circuit is primarily driven by the primary circuit circulating pump.
The primary circuit is necessarily equipped with a circulating pump. The connected consumer circuits may be equipped with a circulating pump or not.
A passive network is defined as a network where the pressure differential at the boundaries of each connected consumer circuit is primarily driven by the consumer circuit circulating pump.
The connected consumer circuits are necessarily equipped with a circulating pump. However, the primary circuit may be equipped with a circulating pump or not. In the former case, a decoupling device (such as a fixed bypass, a hydraulic separator, or a supply-through loop) is used to cancel out the pressure differential created by the primary pump.
The word "primary" is used to refer to the source-side circuit which distributes heat or cold and connects with the central plant.
Note that if the central plant already uses a primary-secondary arrangement, then what is called the "primary" circuit is this package is actually the "secondary circuit".
The word "secondary" or "consumer" is used to refer to the load-side circuit that integrates the terminal units.
Note that if the central plant already uses a primary-secondary arrangement, then what is called the "secondary" circuit is this package is actually the "tertiary circuit".
Symbol | Description |
---|---|
Balancing valve | |
Check valve (the arrow indicating the flow direction is not part of the symbol) | |
Circulating pump | |
Consumer circuit (typically a heating or cooling circuit or a terminal unit) | |
Controller (the dotted lines represent the wiring to the sensor and actuator) | |
Self-acting Δp control valve (the dotted lines represent the capillary pipes for pressure measurement) | |
Three-way valve with modulating actuator (the arrow indicating the flow direction is not part of the symbol) | |
Two-way valve with modulating actuator |