Fieldpiece
Superheat and
Subcooling Meter
For A/C and
Refrigeration
with Pipe Clamp
Model: SSX34
OPERATOR’S MANUAL
Description
The SSX34 is a portable standalone superheat
and subcooling meter for A/C and refrigeration. The
SSX34 is designed to fit the needs of the HVACR
technician with a rugged rubber boot for durability
and magnetic hanger for easy use. Hang the mag-
netic hanger over a corner to minimize slip. Plug in
the pipe clamp thermocouple into the K-Type ther-
mocouple plug. You can connect the SSX34 direct-
ly to the A/C or refrigeration system using a stan-
dard 1/4” EPA approved refrigerant hose using the
pressure port at the top of the meter. You can even
use the “T” included to charge the unit while check-
ing superheat or subcooling, making it possible to
charge to superheat or subcooling. The SSX34 will
display superheat or subcooling for R-22, R-410A,
R-134A and R-404A.
The pipe clamp will take the temperature reading
of the refrigerant piping giving the actual refrigerant
temperature. The refrigerant hose will then sense
the refrigerant pressure. The SSX34 then uses the
actual temperature and boiling point (at the sensed
pressure) to calculate and display real-time actual
subcooling or superheat as well as display refriger-
ant temperature and pressure.
Operation
1. Connect the thermocouple pipe clamp and
refrigerant hose to the meter.
2. Calibrate if needed (see Field calibration).
3. Select °C or °F by holding down the °C or °F
button while turning on the SSX34.
4. Hand tighten 1/4” flare to suction line or liquid
line as close to the evaporator or condenser as
possible using an EPA approved service hose
(not included).
5. Select proper pressure units (english psi or met-
ric KPa) by pressing the UNIT button.
6. Select refrigerant (R22, R410A, R134A, or
R404A) by pressing the TYPE button and
observing the arrow at the bottom of the LCD.
7. Connect the pipe clamp to the suction (super-
heat) or liquid (subcooling) line at least six inch-
es from the compressor and slide it under the
insulation for best accuracy isolating the pipe
clamp from the ambient air.
8. Select temperature to display (superheat, sub-
cooling, or refrigerant temperature).
Temperature being displayed is designated by
the arrows along the right side of the LCD “K” is
the direct temperature from the thermocouple
(actual refrigerant temperature). “SH” is super-
heat and “SC” is subcooling. Pressure is con-
stantly displayed in lower right.
9. You must wait until the system you are testing
has stabilized.
10. Once you have the superheat or subcooling
reading follow the manufacturer of the air condi-
tioner’s specifications to properly charge or
diagnose the system.
Field Calibration
Temperature:
To calibrate the SSX34 temperature, adjust the
pot on the front of the meter labeled “Temp-Cal”.
The best way to calibrate is to match to a known
temperature. Ice water is very close to 32ºF and is
readily available. Accuracies of one degree or bet-
ter are easily obtained.
1. Stabilize a large cup of ice water. Pure, distilled
water will be the most accurate.
2. Using the Type button, scroll through tempera-
ture displayed until you reach the “K” spot,
which is the direct temperature input from the K-
type thermocouple.
3. Immerse the temp probe in ice water and let it
stabilize.
Pressure:
To calibrate the SSX34 pressure, ensure that
the SSX34 is disconnected from the pressure
source and at equilibrium with the ambient pres-
sure. Press the ATM button and the SSX34 will
set the “zero” point of pressure to the ambient
pressure.
General
Operating environment:
32ºF (0°C) to 122ºF
(50°C) <75% RH
Storage environment:
-4ºF (-20°C) to 140ºF
(60°F) <80% RH with battery removed from
meter.
Overrange:
“OL” or “-OL” is displayed.
Auto-off power:
15 minutes
Temperature coefficient:
0.05 x (specified accu-
racy) per °C
Accuracy:
Stated accuracy at 23°C ± 5° (73°F ±
9°F), <90%R.H.
Battery:
Single standard 9-volt battery, NEDA
1604, JIS 006P, IEC 6F22.
Low battery:
symbol is displayed.
Temperature
Temperature Input:
Standard K-type thermocou-
ple connectors
Measurement range
: -40 to 400ºF(-40 to 204°C)
(180°F/82°C max with supplied ATC1 pipe
clamp thermocouple)
Resolution:
0.1º
System accuracy after field calibration:
±1.0ºF @ -40 to 200ºF with field calibration
±0.5ºC @ -40 to 93ºC with field calibration
±2.0ºF @ 200 to 400ºF with field calibration
±1.0ºC @ 93 to 204ºC with field calibration
Pressure
Pressure Input
: Standard 1/4” male flare fitting
Measurement range
:
29” HgV to 500PSIG (english)
74 cmHgV to 0 to 4000KPa (metric)
HgV indicates a vacuum measurement in either
inches (english) or cm (metric) of mercury. A
perfect vacuum would be 29.92”HgV or
76.00cmHgV. Atmospheric pressure at sea
level would be 0” HgV and 0 cmHgV.
System accuracy after field calibration:
29” HgV to 0” HgV: ±0.2” HgV
74 cmHgV to 0 cmHgV: ±0.4 cmHgV
0 to 200 Psi: ±1 Psi
0 to 1378 KPa: ±7 KPa
200 to 500 Psi: ±0.3%+1 Psi
1378 to 3447KPa: ±0.3%+7 KPa
Maximum overload pressure:
800PSIG
Battery Check Function
The SSX34 allows the user to check the battery
charge at any time during use, simpily by hold-
ing down the UNIT button for over one second.
The approximate percentage of battery charge
will be displayed on the main display for three
seconds before returning to its reading prior to
preforming the battery check.
Unit Fluctuations Near Zero
When the pressure/vacuum is near zero, the unit
shown on the display may fluctuate between vacu-
um and pressure. This is similar to a classical
gauge face as shown. Below zero is vacuum (inHg
or cmHG), above 0 is pressure (psi or kPa). There
is nothing wrong if this happens. The appropriate
units will be displayed when a pressure/vacuum
measurement is taken.
Service
Return any defective SSX34 to Fieldpiece for
warranty service along with proof of purchase.
Contact Fieldpiece for out of warranty repair
charges.
Warranty
The product is warranted to the original purchas-
er against defects in material or workmanship for a
period of one (1) year from the date of purchase.
During the warranty period, Fieldpiece Instruments
will, at its option, replace or repair the defective unit.
This warranty does not apply to defects resulting
from abuse, neglect, accident, unauthorized repair,
alteration, or unreasonable use of the instrument.
Any implied warranty arising out of the sale of
Fieldpiece's products including but not limited to
implied warranties of merchantability, and fitness for
purpose, are limited to the above. Fieldpiece shall
not be liable for incidental or consequential dam-
ages.
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ATM
ON/OFF
TYPE
TEMP.
UNIT
K
SH
SC
PRESS FOR 1 SECOND
AUTO-OFF
BATTERY
CHECK
Temp Cal
WARNINGS
Never take pressure readings exceeding 500Psi
(3500kPa) or serious injury or damage to the meter
may occur.
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99 Washington Street
Melrose, MA 02176
Phone 781-665-1400
Toll Free 1-800-517-8431
