How to eliminate noise in air-conditioning units with TBF and TBMF dampers

Maintaining a quiet and comfortable environment is one of the main requirements of any air conditioning installation. To achieve this, it is essential to control the vibrations produced in the outdoor unit of the equipment. SENOR’s TBF and TBMF dampers, manufactured in Spain with high quality materials and patented technology, are the ideal solution to drastically reduce noise and protect us from undesirable sound levels.

1. TBF y TBMF: the same solution in two formats

The TBF dampers (for wall bracket mounting) and TBMF (for floor support) share the same load range and only differ in the way they are installed:

• SE-TBF: Suitable for fixing to brackets or brackets anchored to the wall.
• SE-TBMF: Designed to be placed directly on the ground, terraces or roofs.

Both models offer:

• Anti-roll shaft with independent locking.
• Low vibration transmissibility.
• Movement stop to control oscillation and increase the durability of the spring.
• Epoxy treatment and anti-rust materials.
• Self-locking nuts to prevent loosening over time.

2. Available ranges and references

Each range has 4 references, differentiated by colour and adapted to different load ranges:

Gama TBF	Gama TBMF	Color (Código)	Kg (Rango de carga)
TBF-20 G	TBMF-20 G	Grey (G)	3 – 20
TBF-45 V	TBMF-45 V	Green (V)	15 – 45
TBF-75 A	TBMF-75 A	Blue (A)	30 – 75
TBF-120 R	TBMF-120 R	Red (R)	60 – 120

Note: TBF and TBMF share exactly the same load ranges; the choice depends on the location (wall or floor).

3. Weight distribution in the outdoor unit (as a general rule)

3.1. Single fan units

• 70% of the weight on the compressor side.
• 30% of the weight on the fan side.

3.2. Units with two fans

• 60% of the weight on the compressor side.
• 40% of the weight on the fan side.

Due to this unbalance of loads, in many cases different references or colours are installed on each side to ensure that the dampers work in their optimum load range.

4. Special cases: equipment weighing less than 60 kg

When the outdoor unit weighs less than 60 kg, it is usually sufficient to fit the 4 dampers of the same reference (usually the one with the lowest load: TBF-20 G or TBMF-20 G). In this case:

1. It is necessary to pre-tension the dampers on the fan side in order to level the machine.
2. And verify that, after the adjustment, all four dampers work equally and keep the machine stable.

5. Installation tips

1. Weight check and colour selection
   • Determine whether the unit will be wall or floor mounted.
   • Choose the appropriate colour based on the total weight (and its distribution).
2. Positioning and pre-stressing
   • Make sure to level the unit by putting pressure on the fan side to compensate for its lower load.
   • Never over-tighten the damper or adjust the damper with the total weight resting on the polymer (rubber).
   • Avoid damaging the upper polymer washer.
3. Use of brake nuts
   • The dampers come with self-braking (or brake) nuts that prevent them from loosening under vibration.
   • Tighten to the recommended force without exceeding the tightening torque.
4. Final verification
   • Turn on the air conditioning and make sure that there are no abrupt movements and that the transmission of vibrations is minimal.
   • Check that the anti-roll system is working properly.

6. What about the conduits? Use of SE-ATB-50 and SE-TAV-4000

In installations where rigid conduits are fixed directly to walls, floors or supported on the equipment itself, they can transmit vibrations to the building structure. To avoid this, SENOR recommends using dampers at these points.

• SE-ATB-50:
  • Designed for light conduits (from 10 mm diameter – up to 40 mm diameter).
  • Further information
• SE-TAV-4000:
  • Suitable for conduit of any diameter.
  • Installation for any type of surface (ceiling, wall and floor).
  • Further information

This reduces the transmission of vibrations throughout the entire air-conditioning system.

7. Main benefits of the SENOR dampers

1. Significant reduction of noise and vibrations in any frequency range.
2. Longer durability of the equipment by minimising internal stresses and start-up shocks.
3. Protection of the building structure from damaging vibrations.
4. High quality components.
5. Easy installation.
6. Versatility: adaptable to different weights, powers and configurations of air conditioners.

Conclusion

SENOR TBF and TBMF dampers offer a complete solution to eliminate noise and vibration in air conditioning units, both wall and floor mounted. Making sure you choose the right reference number and distribute the loads properly is essential for optimum performance:

• Identify the compressor and fan side to properly balance the machine.
• If the unit weighs less than 60 kg, all 4 dampers of the same reference can be used with proper pre-tensioning.
• Never forget to check also the conduit installation, because, if they are too rigid, they can transmit additional vibrations.

With proper assembly and maintenance, you will enjoy a quiet space, a more durable equipment and improved acoustic and energy efficiency. For more information, we recommend you watch the following video demonstration:

Watch SENOR TBF and TBMF dampers video

Opt for SENOR dampers and say goodbye to annoying noises in your air conditioning installation!

If you require technical assistance or additional information, please do not hesitate to contact our Technical Department. We will be delighted to answer all your queries:

Technical Department
tecnico@senor.es
607 411 620