Alpine Installation, Operating, and Service Instructions
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X. Operation (A. Overview)
A. Overview
1. Sage 2.1 Controller
The Sage 2.1 Controller (Control) contains features and
capabilities which help improve heating system operation,
efficiency and home comfort. By including unique
capabilities, the Control can do more, with less eld
wiring, and fewer aftermarket controls and components
– improving the operation of both new and replacement
boiler installations.
2. Advanced Touch Screen Display
180 F
Boiler 1
Energy Save On
Max Efficiency On
Standby
i
Status
Help
Adjust
Detail
Home Screen
Boiler status and setup selections are available from an
easy to use, dual color, LCD Touch Screen Display. Over
one hundred helpful information screens are provide to
explain status information and setup functions. In the event
of a fault condition the user is guided by “blinking” touch
buttons to Help screens that explain the problem cause and
corrective action. Operation evaluation and problem-solving
is enhanced by historical capability including graphic trends,
lockout history records as well as boiler and circulator cycle
counts and run time hours.
3. Advanced Modulating Control
The Control modulates the boiler input by varying the fan
speed. As the fan speed increases, so does the amount of
fuel gas drawn into the blower. As a result, a fairly constant
air-fuel ratio is maintained across all inputs. The Control
determines the input needed by looking at both current and
recent differences between the measured temperature and
the setpoint temperature. As the measured temperature
approaches the setpoint temperature, the fan will slow down
and the input will drop. The Control also utilizes boiler
return water and ue gas temperatures to adjust fan speed.
4. Built-in Safety Control
The Control includes safety controls designed to ensure safe
and reliable operation. In addition to ame safety controls
the Control includes supply water temperature, differential
water temperature, and stack temperature safety limits and
stepped modulation responses. Boiler modulation is adjusted
when required to help avoid loss of boiler operation due
to exceeding limits. Additionally, the Control accepts the
optional eld installation of low water cut-off and auxiliary
safety limits.
5. Outdoor Air Reset
When selected the modulation rate setpoint is automatically
adjusted based on outside air temperature, time of day and
length of demand (boost) settings. Outdoor air “reset”
setpoint saves fuel by adjusting the water temperature of a
heating boiler lower as the outside air temperature increases.
6. Warm Weather Shutdown (WWSD)
Some boilers are used primarily for heating buildings,
and the boilers can be automatically shutdown when
the outdoor air temperature is warm. When outside air
temperature is above the WWSD setpoint, this function
will shut down the boiler, boiler pump and/or the system
pump.
7. Domestic Hot Water Priority (DHWP)
Some boilers are used primarily for building space heating,
but also provide heat for the domestic hot water users.
When the outdoor temperature is warm, the outdoor reset
setpoint may drop lower than a desirable domestic hot
water temperature. Also, often it is required to quickly
recover the indirect water heater. When DHWP is
enabled, heating circulators are stopped, the domestic
circulator is started and the domestic hot water setpoint is
established in response to a domestic hot water demand.
Priority protection is provided to allow the heating loop
to be serviced again in the event of an excessively long
domestic hot water call for heat.
8. Energy Management System (EMS) Interface
The control accepts a 4-20mAdc input from the EMS
system for either direct modulation rate or setpoint.
9. Circulator Control
The Control may be used to sequence the domestic hot
water, boiler and system circulators. Service rated relay
outputs are wired to a line voltage terminal block for easy
eld connection. Simple parameter selections allow all
three pumps to respond properly to various hydronic
piping arrangements including either a boiler or primary
piped indirect water heater. Circulators are automatically
run for a 20 second exercise period after not being used
for longer than 7 days. Circulator exercise helps prevent
pump rotor seizing.
10. Multiple Boiler Sequencer Peer-To-Peer Network
The Control includes state-of-the-art modulating lead-
lag sequencer for up to eight (8) boilers capable of auto
rotation, outdoor reset and peer-to-peer communication.
The peer-peer network is truly “plug and play”.
Communication is activated by simply connecting a RJ45
ethernet cable between boilers. The Control provides
precise boiler coordination by sequencing boilers based
on both header water temperature and boiler modulation
rate. For example, the lead boiler can be congured to
start a lag boiler after operating at 50% modulation rate for
longer than an adjustable time. The boilers are modulated
in “unison” (parallel) modulation rate to ensure even heat
distribution
11. Modbus Communication Interface
A factory congured RS485 Modbus interface is available
for Energy Management System (EMS)monitoring when
not used for Multiple Boiler Sequencer Peer-To-Peer
Network. Consult factory if this interface must be used
in addition to the boiler Peer-to-Peer Network.