Actuator having a test mode

An actuator system for use with heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, comprising:

• an HVAC actuator;
• and
• wherein the actuator comprises:
• a motor;
• a gear train connected to the motor;
• a processor connected to the motor, the processor comprising actuator software;
• an actuator shaft coupling connected the gear train, wherein the actuator shaft coupling is configured to move in a first direction to move an HVAC component during a normal application mode;
• a shaft position sensor connected to the actuator shaft coupling and the processor;
• and
• a mode selector connected to the processor;
• wherein selecting a test mode on the mode selector after installation of the actuator in an HVAC system results in the actuator shaft coupling moving in the first direction to a test mode position, wherein the test mode position is a fully open position;
• and
• wherein the actuator software verifies selecting the test mode on the mode selector, the actuator software exercises an algorithm, and the algorithm states:
• IF Test Mode THEN
• Set actuator to maximum allowable speed
• Cause actuator to fully open by moving to an end of an allowable span
• Remain in this position while in Test Mode.

A method for verifying that a heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) actuator has been installed correctly, comprising:

• installing the actuator in an HVAC system;
• installing a mode selector on an HVAC actuator, the mode selector having a test mode, wherein the actuator is configured to move in a first direction to move an HVAC component to a fully open position during a normal application mode;
• connecting the mode selector to a processor of the actuator, the processor comprising actuator software to verify that the mode selector has been turned to the test mode;
• and
• verifying that the actuator has been installed correctly by turning the mode selector to test mode thereby moving the actuator in the first direction to the fully open position at an end of an allowable span of the actuator within a predetermined time, wherein after turning the mode selector to test mode, the actuator software then exercises an algorithm as follows:
• IF Test Mode THEN
• Set actuator speed to maximum allowable speed
• Cause actuator to fully open by moving to an end of its allowable span
• Remain in this position while in Test Mode.