Pressure Independent balancing Control Valves (PICV)

  • Overview
  • Product range
  • Documents
  • 3D models and drawings
  • Software
  • Related products
  • Case stories
  • News
  • Tender texts

Two- or four-pipe heating and/or cooling systems are characterized by changing conditions due to valves opening and closing depending on the need for heating or cooling. This continuously causes flow and differential pressure changes.

Without proper measurements, such systems suffer from uneven heat distribution, poor energy inefficiency and are very difficult to commission.

To avoid these issues Pressure Independent balancing and Control Valves (PICV) provide the best and simplest solution.

By adding an actuator, the valves function as flow-limited control valves, automatically balancing the system and providing the best possible indoor comfort and energy efficiency. The commissioning of the system is a lot easier, all valves only need to be set to the design flow before the actuators are mounted.

Danfoss offers a broad range of pressure-independent balancing and control valves and matching actuators.

Features and benefits

Stable room temperature

Eliminating the overflow situations at partial load conditions has a significant effect on the stability of the room temperature

Improved indoor comfort

With the stable room temperature, the indoor comfort increases. Required temperatures are accurately met, increasing the productivity of office employees or benefitting the experience of hotel guests.

Energy savings

The perfectly balanced system, under all conditions, increases the energy efficiency and leads to savings on energy costs.

Reduced maintenance costs

As the pressure-independent valves ensure perfect working conditions, the actuators mounted on them require fewer movements to keep the temperature stable. This increases the lifetime value of the actuators and reduces the maintenance costs.

AB-QM 4.0: We created PICVs - now we redefine the value

NEW: AB-QM 4.0

Get ready for the next level value of your PICV designs.

Product range

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Danfoss AB-QM 4.0 pressure-independent control valve (PICV) for hydronic balancing; } else if (isBigColumns) { Danfoss AB-QM 4.0 pressure-independent control valve (PICV) for hydronic balancing } else { Danfoss AB-QM 4.0 pressure-independent control valve (PICV) for hydronic balancing }
    AB-QM 4.0 Pressure Independent Control Valves (PICV) DN15 - DN32

    AB-QM 4.0 Pressure Independent Control Valves (PICVs) are the successor of Danfoss AB-QM. They offer best-in-class specifications and easy installation. The scaling- and clogging resistant design secures and outstanding reliability and long lifetime. They fit to the NovoCon S digital actuators. This enables HVAC data collection for e.g. remote commissioning and predictive maintenance, resulting in a lower Total Cost of Ownership.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { AB-QM- Danfoss; } else if (isBigColumns) { AB-QM- Danfoss } else { AB-QM- Danfoss }
    AB-QM Pressure Independent Control Valves (PICV) DN15 - DN250

    AB-QM Pressure Independent balancing and Control Valves (PICV) provide both a control functionality and dynamic balancing solution for HVAC heating and cooling systems. PICVs are designed for various types of terminal units, Air Handling Units (AHU), chillers and provide high indoor comfort and energy efficiency in public and commercial buildings.

Documents

Promotional and Technical Documents

Type Name Language Valid for Updated Download File type
Data sheet AB-QM 4.0 / AB-QM Pressure Independent Control Valves (PICV) English Multiple 06 Mar, 2024 3.7 MB .pdf
Brochure AB-QM Actuator Selection Infographic - UK English United Kingdom 15 Jan, 2021 8.6 MB .pdf
Brochure Energy saving solutions for renovation of heating and cooling systems English Multiple 10 Sep, 2014 5.9 MB .pdf
Application guide HVAC Application guide English Multiple 26 Oct, 2020 19.4 MB .pdf
Brochure Hydronic Balancing & Control product overview English United Kingdom 11 Nov, 2014 7.1 MB .pdf
Brochure Hydronic Balancing & Control product overview English Multiple 12 Dec, 2016 1.1 MB .pdf
Brochure Infographic - Actuator selection for AB-QM PICVs English Multiple 07 Nov, 2022 2.5 MB .pdf
Brochure Infographic AB-QM 4.0 compared to AB-QM English Multiple 07 Nov, 2022 2.3 MB .pdf

Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) Documents

Type Name Language Valid for Updated Download File type
Product Environmental Information - BI EPD ABQM 4.0 DN 15-32 & NovoconS English Multiple 27 Jan, 2023 4.1 MB .pdf
Product Environmental Information - BI EPD ABQM 4.0 DN 15-32 with AME 110 English Multiple 27 Jan, 2023 3.7 MB .pdf
Product Environmental Information - BI EPD ABQM DN 40 -100 with AME 435 actuator English Multiple 27 Nov, 2023 2.5 MB .pdf
Product Environmental Information - BI EPD ABQM DN 40 -100 with NovoCon M actuator English Multiple 27 Nov, 2023 2.7 MB .pdf

3D models and drawings

Software

Danfoss set 365 software

Danfoss SET 365 software

Our advanced Danfoss SET 365 3D design software will help you to design and calculate HVAC systems with Danfoss products. A 1-year subscription is FREE available for students, designers and other interested professionals.

Related products

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Actuators for PICVs- Danfoss; } else if (isBigColumns) { Actuators for PICVs- Danfoss } else { Actuators for PICVs- Danfoss }
    Actuators for PICVs

    To take advantage of the combined balancing and control features of Danfoss AB-QM it has to be equipped with actuators controlled by room thermostats or a Building Management System. Danfoss offers a broad range of actuators varying from thermal on-off to digital step motor actuators with bus communication.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { NovoCon® S and M Digital Actuators - Danfoss; } else if (isBigColumns) { NovoCon® S and M Digital Actuators - Danfoss } else { NovoCon® S and M Digital Actuators - Danfoss }
    NovoCon® Digital actuators

    With NovoCon® Danfoss revolutionizes the way hydronic balancing and HVAC control work together. The first of its kind digital HVAC actuators are directly connected with a Building Management System (BMS). This enables System Integrators to design state-of-art, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.

Case stories

  • if (isSmallPicture) { ; } else if (isBigColumns) { } else { }
    4* resort increases guest ratings and saves on heat pump energy costs

    Building: Hotel/resort 
    Application: Heat pump system for comfort cooling via fan coil units 
    Challenge: Increase guest comfort and save on energy costs 
    Solution: The hydronic HVAC system for cooling was equipped with AB-QM 4.0 PICV valves for dynamic hydronic balancing and control via TWA-Q thermal actuators 

  • if (isSmallPicture) { EDGE Amsterdam West - healthy & smart office; } else if (isBigColumns) { EDGE Amsterdam West - healthy & smart office } else { EDGE Amsterdam West - healthy & smart office }
    HVAC flexibility & Energy monitoring in EDGE Amsterdam West multi-tenant healthy & smart office

    Building: Office
    Application: Hydronic balancing and remote control of 4-pipe heating/cooling change-over system.
    Challenge: Gaining BREEAM credits for energy monitoring and ensure fast, fail free installation.
    Solution: Digital NovoCon S actuator combined with AB-QM 4.0 PICVs and ChangeOver6 Energy. The combination balances the system hydronically, allow remote access via a BMS and provides actual energy consumption data per climate panel during both heating and cooling operation.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { ; } else if (isBigColumns) { } else { }
    Outstanding HVAC flexibility after high-end office building renovation

    Building: Office
    Application: Hydronic balancing and remote control of 4-pipe heating/cooling change-over system
    Challenge: Ensure a flexible to use HVAC system with DGNB sustainability certification
    Solution: Digital NovoCon actuator combined with AB-QM control valves and NovoCon CO6 combined with ChangeOver6 as a combination balance the system hydronically, allow remote access via a BMS and control the room temperatures during both heating and cooling operation.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Danfoss contributes to smart HVAC control solution for I-tower at WTC Amsterdam; } else if (isBigColumns) { Danfoss contributes to smart HVAC control solution for I-tower at WTC Amsterdam } else { Danfoss contributes to smart HVAC control solution for I-tower at WTC Amsterdam }
    Smart HVAC control solution for the I-tower at WTC Amsterdam, the Netherlands

    Building: Office
    Application: Climate panels with a four-pipe change-over system for Heating and Cooling
    Challenge: Establish a modern, innovative HVAC control system optimized for flexibility in (changing) usage of office space
    Solution: Integration of Danfoss field devices with the Building Management System via BACnet bus-communication

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Waldorf Astoria, Amsterdam; } else if (isBigColumns) { Waldorf Astoria, Amsterdam } else { Waldorf Astoria, Amsterdam }
    High-end climate solutions in Waldorf Astoria by Hilton, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

    Building: Hotel
    Application: Hydronic balancing and control for radiator heating and fan coil cooling
    Challenge: Establish top level comfort and minimum energy consumption for heating and cooling
    Solution: Fan-coil units for cooling; 8 heating risers and radiators equipped with Danfoss products.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Katowice business centre, Poland; } else if (isBigColumns) { Katowice business centre, Poland } else { Katowice business centre, Poland }
    HVAC control at Katowice business centre, Poland

    Katowice Business Centre is a modern office building where Danfoss hydronic balancing solutions are used; AB-QM balancing and control valves in combination with revolutionary NovoCon® actuators.

News

Tender texts

The pressure independent balancing and control valve means that the control characteristic is independent from the available pressure. The precise flow control performance of the AB-QM 4.0 with a Danfoss actuator provides increased comfort and superior Total Cost of Ownership. The AB-QM 4.0 ensures and control the required flow on every terminal unit and maintains Hydronic balance in the system.

AB-QM 4.0 has following features:

Automatic flow limitation function
Modulating below 1% of set flow, regardless of the setting
Authority of 1 at all settings
Able to close against 16 bar of differential pressure
Polymer (PPSU) components of differential pressure controller and control valve cone
Linear control characteristic
Linear setting
Scale in percentage of flow
Minimum setting is 10%
Setting of flow percentage is visible with actuator mounted
Control ratio 1:1000
Pressure stage PN25
All inner brass parts from DZR (CW602N)
Available in the range from DN 15 – 32 for design flows from 20 – 6,000 l/h from one supplier
Available with external thread acc. ISO 228/1 and internal thread acc. ISO 7/1
Available with test plugs for pump optimization and flow measurements (dpcv)
Flow measurements accuracy according to BS7350:1990
Characteristic can be changed from linear to equal percentage characteristic at all sizes by adjusting actuator settings
Filling and flushing is possible in flow and counter-flow direction
Starting pressure of 16 kPa for DN 15 – DN 20 and 20 kPa for DN 25 – DN 32
Starting pressure of 32 kPa for DN 15 – DN 32 HF versions
Leakage rate of no visible leakage for DN 15 - DN 32 in combination with recommended actuator (IEC 60534-4:2007 Class IV)

The pressure independent balancing and control valve means that the control characteristic is independent from the available pressure. The precise flow control performance of the AB-QM with a Danfoss actuator provides increased comfort and superior Total Cost of Ownership. The AB-QM ensures and control the required flow on every terminal unit and maintains Hydronic balance in the system.

AB-QM has following features:

Flow limitation function
Modulating below 1% of set flow, regardless of the setting
Authority of 1 at all settings
Able to close against 16 bar of differential pressure
Linear control characteristic
Scale in percentage of flow
Control ratio 1:1000
Test plugs for pump optimization and flow verification for DN 10-250
Available in the range from DN 10 – 250 from one supplier.

Characteristic changed from linear to equal percentage characteristic at all sizes by adjusting actuator settings
Lockable setting
Starting pressure of 16 kPa for DN 10 – DN 20
Starting pressure of 20 kPa for DN 25 – DN 32
Starting pressure of 30 kPa for DN 40 – DN 250
Leakage rate of no visible leakage for DN 10 - DN 20 in combination with recommended actuator
Leakage of 0.05 % of the Qnom for DN 25 - DN 100 in combination with recommended actuator
Leakage of 0.01 % of the Qnom for DN 125 - DN 250 in combination with recommended actuator