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Understanding Refrigeration Piping
Learn by doing, using piping examples

Review troubleshooting examples

LETS DISCUSS THE MATERIAL

Refrigerant Piping

Residential Piping Design

Form Number 690.01-AD1V & Worksheet 690.01-AD1.1V

Introduction

(From the App. Guide)

The tables and application data in this publication will help you to better apply split system cooling and heat pump systems to achieve maximum efficiency and performance, improved reliability, and greater customer satisfaction. This guideline includes information for:

General piping practices

Vapor and liquid line sizing Total line length limitations Elevation limitations Orifice changes System charging Special considerations for long line lengths

General Guidelines
Support all refrigerant lines at minimum intervals (4 feet) with suitable hangers and brackets. Slope horizontal suction lines on cooling only systems approximately 1 inch every 20 feet toward the outdoor unit to facilitate proper oil return. Since the flow of refrigerant is bi-directional on heat pumps, horizontal vapor lines should be level.

Refrigerant Line Sizing

Line Length
Use Factory Connection Size Up To 25
Factory charge to 15 Over 15 refer to LINE CHARGE TABLE

Over 25-Refer to Long Line Application

Form 690.01-AD1V

Piping Dos & Donts

Use hard Solder Use Nitrogen Remove Schraders Do Not Over Heat Preheat Joint Do NOT open Service Valves Liquid Line Insulation? Insulate Vapor Line
3/8 Close Cell Insulation

Support lines
Every 4

Slope Horizontal Vapor Lines

1 for every 20 Towards Compressor (Cooling ONLY)

Total Line Length equals

Horizontal Runs + Vertical Runs

Total Line Equivalent Length

Equals
Horizontal Runs + Vertical Runs
PLUS the equivalent of the Fittings

Vapor Line Considerations

1000 fpm minimum Velocity on Horizontal lines.
Oil Return

700 fpm minimum Velocity on Vertical lines.

Oil Return

3000 fpm maximum Velocity to avoid:

Refrigerant Noise Vibrating lines, especially at elbows

Pressure Drop Causes Capacity Loss

A 1 lb. pressure drop = 1% of capacity Loss Our recommendation is a maximum 3 lbs. drop

Oil Traps
Outdoor above indoor, use traps as per guidelines Indoor above outdoor, use inverted trap

Oil Traps
Cooling or Heat Pumps Design
(2) 45 Degree Short Elbows (1) 90 Degree Short Elbow

Outdoor Unit Above Indoor

Trap Located at Bottom of Riser Lifts Between 50-100 2 nd Trap at Mid-Point Lifts Over 100, Trap at 1/3 rd Intervals

Indoor Unit Above Outdoor

Inverted Vapor Regardless of Line Length Observe Coil Design
P fac

Oil droplets Returning to Compressor

Any riser greater than 3 in height must include a trap.

Oil Trap
2-Short Ls 1-Long L

Inverted Trap
Whenever the Evaporator is Above the Condenser
Where inverted traps are not an option, a Liquid Line Solenoid Valve will help prevent refrigerant migration. NOTE: If a
high M.O.P. TXV is used, a LLSV is not necessary

Pressure Drop Occurs

Whenever the Evaporator is Above the Condenser

Concerns:
A. Loss of Subcooling ? ? ?
B. Does the Metering Device Need Changed ? ? ?

Liquid Line Considerations

30 lb Max (40 lb com)Total System Pressure Drop 30 lb (40 lb com) Drop consists of: Fictional Loss of Pipe Liquid Riser = 1/2 lb pressure drop Per Foot Liquid Fall = 1/2 lb pressure gain Per Foot 3 lb Pressure Drop = 1 Degree Sub-Cooling Loss High pressure may force an Orifice Change? 50 Elevation Difference Max ( Heat Pump)

Liquid Line Considerations

NO! extra oil needed

Liquid Line Gain

Condenser is above the Evaporator

Liquid Line Loss

Condenser is below the Evaporator

Orifice Size & Adder Chart

Application Data

Application Data

Additional Refrigerant
In many applications, additional refrigerant will have to be added to the system. The actual amount of charge that must be added is determined by adding the following: 1. The indoor coil charge adjustment from the Product Tech Guide. This is always a predetermined amount based on the outdoor unit/indoor coil combination being used. 2. The additional charge required for the interconnecting piping. This is dependent on the type of unit being used (i.e., sweat or quick-connect ) and the size of the vapor and liquid lines. 3. Refer to Table #6 for both Suction and Vapor

Additional Requirements
If not provided as standard features, the following items are required when measured piping lengths exceed fifty feet:

1. Low Voltage Start Kit (2SA06701006) - single phase units on 208V application.
2. Off Cycle Timer (2TD08700124) - if item 1 is used. 3. Crankcase Heater (025-19961-001) - except units with a scroll compressor. On cooling only systems with measured piping lengths greater than seventy-five (75) feet, one of the accumulators in Table 8 must be field installed near the outdoor unit. The accumulator should be sized based on total system charge.

Time for some examples (and your turn to work)