R e s i d e n t i a l S p l i t - 6 0 H z R 2 2 & R 4 1 0 A
R e v. : 5 J u n e , 2 0 0 8
22
W a t e r- S o u r c e H e a t i n g a n d C o o l i n g S y s t e m s
Refrigeration Installation
refrigerant so that the total charge calculated for the unit and
line set is now in the system. Open the service valve fully
counter clockwise so that the stem will backseat and prevent
leakage through the schrader port while it is not in use.
Start unit in the heating mode and measure superheat and
subcooling values after 5 minutes of run time. See tables
14a to 15 for superheat and sub-cooling values. Superheat
is measured using suction temperature and pressure at the
compressor suction line. Subcooling should be measured
using the liquid line temperature immediately outside the
compressor section cabinet and either the liquid line service
valve pressure or the compressor discharge pressure. Note
that different values from tables 14a to 15 will be obtained
due to the pressure losses through the condenser heat
exchanger. Adding refrigerant will increase sub-cooling
while superheat should remain fairly constant allowing for
a slight amount of hunting in TXV systems. This increase in
subcooling will require 5 minutes or so of operation before it
should be measured. After values are measured, compare to
the chart and go to “FINAL EVALUATION.”
PARTIAL CHARGE METHOD
- Open service valve fully
counterclockwise and then turn back in one-half turn to
open service port. Add vaporized (Gas) into the suction
side of the compressor until the pressure in the system
reaches approximately 60-70 psig (R-22 systems) or 100-
120 psig (R-410A systems). Never add liquid refrigerant into
the suction side of a compressor. Start the unit in heating
and add gas to the suction port at a rate not to exceed
fi
ve pounds [2.27 kg] per minute. Keep adding refrigerant
until the complete charge has been entered. Superheat is
measured using suction temperature and pressure at the
compressor suction line. Subcooling should be measured
using the liquid line temperature immediately outside the
compressor section cabinet and either the liquid line service
valve pressure or the compressor discharge pressure. Note
that different values from tables 14a to 15 will be obtained
due to the pressure losses through the condenser heat
exchanger. Adding refrigerant will increase sub-cooling
while superheat should remain fairly constant allowing for
a slight amount of hunting in TXV systems. This increase in
subcooling will require 5 minutes or so of operation before it
should be measured. After values are measured, compare to
the chart and go to “FINAL EVALUATION.”
FINAL EVALUATION
-In a split system, cooling subcooling
values can be misleading depending on the location of the
measurement. Therefore, it is recommended that charging
be monitored in the heating mode. Charge should be
evaluated by monitoring the subcooling in the heating mode.
After initial check of heating sub-cooling, shut off unit and
allow to sit 3-5 minutes until pressures equalize. Restart
unit in the cooling mode and check the cooling superheat
against Tables 14a to 15. If unit runs satisfactorily, charging
is complete. If unit does not perform to speci
fi
cations the
cooling TXV (air coil side) may need to be readjusted (if
possible) until the cooling superheat values are met.
Checking Superheat and Subcooling
Determining Superheat:
1. Measure the temperature of the suction line at a point
near the expansion valve bulb.
2. Determine the suction pressure by attaching refrigeration
gauges to the suction schrader connection at the
compressor.
3. Convert the pressure obtained in step 2 to saturation
temperature (boiling point) by using the pressure/
temperature conversion table on the gauge set.
4. Subtract the temperature obtained in step 3 from step
1. The difference will be the superheat of the unit or the
total number of degrees above saturation temperature.
Refer to Tables 14a to 15 for superheat ranges at
speci
fi
c entering water conditions.
Example (R-22 refrigerant):
The temperature of the suction line at the sensing bulb is
50°F. The suction pressure at the compressor is 65 psig
which is equivalent to 38°F saturation temperature from the
R-22 press/temp conversion table on the gauge set.
38°F subtracted from 50°F = 12°F Superheat.
Determining Sub-Cooling:
1. Measure the temperature of the liquid line on the smaller
refrigerant line (liquid line) just outside of the cabinet.
This location will be adequate for measurement in both
modes unless a signi
fi
cant temperature drop in the liquid
line is anticipated.
2. Determine the condensor pressure (high side) by
attaching refrigerant gauges to the schrader connection
on the liquid line service valve. If the hot gas discharge
line of the compressor is used, refer to the appropriate
column in Tables 14a to 15.
3. Convert the pressure obtained in step 2 to the
saturation temperature by using the press/temp
conversion table on the gauge set.
4. Subtract the temperature of Step 3 from the temperature
of Step 1. The difference will be the sub-cooling value for
that unit (total degrees below the saturation temperature).
Refer to Tables 14a or 6b for sub-cooling values at speci
fi
c
entering water temperatures.
Example (R-22 refrigerant):
The condenser pressure at the service port is 225 psig,
which is equivalent to 110°F saturation temperature.
Discharge pressure is 236 psig at the compressor (113°F
saturation temperature). Measured liquid line temperature
is 100°F. 100°F subtracted from 110°F = 10 degrees sub-
cooling (13 degrees if using the compressor discharge
pressure).