3 Piping work and refrigerant charge
Copper refrigerant pipe
SMGB0099 rev.0 - 12/2016
105
3
Refrigerant pipe insulation
The refrigerant circulates through the pipes at a very low temperature (several degrees below zero, depending on the
time of year and the installation). The difference in temperature with the ambient air is extremely large and causes two
significant phenomena to be taken into account:
• Cold irradiation along the entire pipe.
• Condensation of the humidity in the surrounding air.
Actually, cold irradiation is the temperature gain experienced by the gas, as when it circulates under pressure and at
such low temperatures along the inside of the pipes, it is actually liquid and obtains the outdoor temperature (boiling at a
very low temperature) to turn into gas.
As a result of the temperature gain (although it is actually perceived as cold emission), the loses its capacity to cool and
the system does not perform as expected. Furthermore, the humidity in the surrounding air condenses on the pipe and
the greater the temperature difference and the longer the pipe, the more water is produced.
In view of this, the refrigerant pipes must be fitted with a suitable insulation system that prevents the increase in
temperature of the refrigerant and the subsequent loss of energy and the condensation of water along the entire pipe.
Refrigerant pipes must always be separately insulated, using closed cell insulation foam designed especially for
refrigeration. This insulation foam, supplied by the installer, can be obtained in different formats. The most common is in
the form of sheets and rolls of tubes of different diameters.
Furthermore, all connections between the different sections of insulation tubes must be reinforced with adhesive tape of
the same characteristics.
Once all of the unit installation and adjustment work is complete, all threaded joints and valves must also be covered with
adhesive tape.
3.4.6 Refrigerant pipe suspension
Only suspend the refrigerant pipes at specific points of the building.
Whenever possible, avoid suspending them from parts subject to
structural movement, e.g. places close to expansion joints or outer
walls, etc.
Prevent the refrigerant pipes from touching weak parts of the
building, such as walls (non-structural), partition walls, ceilings, etc.
Otherwise, operating noise may be caused by pipe vibrations (pay
special attention in the case of short pipes).
A: points where the refrigerant pipes pass through the different
structural parts of the building.
B: indoor unit.
A
B
1-15 mm
Use suitable suspension systems for refrigeration pipes or clamps to
suspend the pipes, as shown in the diagram.
