Product Technical Update - Sheet 96

Date 22-04-2008
Title: - Testing Electronic Expansion Valves
There are 2 types of LEV, one has 6 wires and the other has 5, both use Stepper Motors.
The coils receive pulses from the control PCB, which causes the rotor to turn (clockwise to
close, or anti-clockwise to open).
On our smaller valves, the rotor forms part of the valv e body, connected to a needle valve by
a screw mechanism.
On our larger valves, the rotor is part of the removable valve head. A screwed pin is used to
push down on the spring loaded plunger on the valve body, causing the vale to open. It
therefore stands to reason, if the head is removed, the valve should open fully.

6-Wire LEV

5-Wire LEV

Brown to Blue or Yellow

Red to White or Orange
Blue to Yellow
White to Orange

= 46
= 46
= 92
= 92

Ohms
Ohms
Ohms
Ohms.

Red to Any Other

Any Other Pair

= 39 Ohms
= 78 Ohms

Pin
Plunger

Enclosed motor LEV head with pin (left) and LEV body with plunger (right)

Product Sheet 96 Testing Electronic Expansion Valves

Malfunction can usually be attributed to:

1. Electrical Failure
a. Failure of Stepper Motor (windings)
b. Failure of PCB (incorrect output)
2. Mechanical Failure
a. Needle Valve jammed
b. Stepper Motor jammed
If the expansion valve plug connector is removed from the PCB, the resistance of the motor
windings can be checked against the tables given above. Values may differ slightly;
electrical failure will usually show Open or Short Circuit windings.
The Red (and Brown where used) wires are connected to a permanent 12Vdc supply via the
PCB. The remaining wires are switched (0v), energising the coils in turn and causing the
rotor to step round.
If you ever have a situation on an indoor unit where you are not sure if the expansion valve
is faulty, or whether there is a blockage in the field piping, then there is an easy way to check.
Power down the unit (wait for 30 seconds) and re-apply power. The PCB sends pulses to the
LEV (linear expansion valve), setting it to the closed position, so that the unit (and indeed
the system) knows the position of the valve when the unit starts. A clicking sound should be
heard after a short duration, signifying the valve is closed. If clicking is heard straight away,
either the valve is already closed, or possibly jammed. If no clicking is heard, the PCB or
Stepper Motor may be at fault.
Once the LEV has this starting point it can be controlled by receiving voltage pulses to open
and close it (depending on which direction the low voltage DC is applied). By applying
voltage in one direction the LEV opens, and by reversing the polarity the LEV closes.
Therefore, by swapping the polarity of two wires (yellow and blue) on the LEV plug
connection on the PCB, we can reverse its operation.

Plug connection and wire order from factory (left) and polarity reversed (right)

This time when you power the unit down (wait for 30 seconds) and then re-apply the power,
the LEV will fully open instead.
When you have completed your checks always remember to return the wires back to
their original factory positions and reset the power!!
If you have any further questions please email me.
Ken Macedo,
MacedoK@lge.com
Product Sheet 96 Testing Electronic Expansion Valves