Which statement about leakage is true?

Which statement about leakage is true?

• A. Round duct generally has fewer joints per length, often less leakage
• B. Rectangular ducts have fewer joints and less leakage
• C. Leakage is unrelated to duct shape
• D. Round duct typically leaks more due to curvature

Answer: (A)

Leakage mainly occurs at joints and seams in ductwork, so the number of joints along a run has a big impact on how much air escapes. Round ducting typically uses fewer joints per length than rectangular ducting, which means there are fewer potential leakage points overall. In practice, round ducts can be made from longer, continuous pieces or curved sections with fewer field joints, while rectangular ductwork often needs more joints to connect sections around corners and along straight runs. Because leakage is tied to joint quality and the number of joints, round ducts generally show less leakage. The other ideas don’t fit as well because rectangular ducts do not have fewer joints; they usually have more joints due to their corners. Saying leakage is unrelated to duct shape ignores how the number and quality of joints, which are influenced by shape, affect leakage. Claiming that round ducts leak more because of curvature misattributes leakage to the shape itself rather than to joints and seams, which are the real leakage points.

Leakage mainly occurs at joints and seams in ductwork, so the number of joints along a run has a big impact on how much air escapes. Round ducting typically uses fewer joints per length than rectangular ducting, which means there are fewer potential leakage points overall. In practice, round ducts can be made from longer, continuous pieces or curved sections with fewer field joints, while rectangular ductwork often needs more joints to connect sections around corners and along straight runs. Because leakage is tied to joint quality and the number of joints, round ducts generally show less leakage.

The other ideas don’t fit as well because rectangular ducts do not have fewer joints; they usually have more joints due to their corners. Saying leakage is unrelated to duct shape ignores how the number and quality of joints, which are influenced by shape, affect leakage. Claiming that round ducts leak more because of curvature misattributes leakage to the shape itself rather than to joints and seams, which are the real leakage points.