U-5 IOM
17
Guidelines for refrigerant circuit diagnosis
Normal Conditions
Subcooling:
10 to 12 F
Superheat:
8 to 12 F
Discharge:
140 to 150 F
Head Pressure:
210#
Suction Pressure:
70#
Evap. Temperature: 38 to 55 F, or 10-20 F below
leaving air temperature
Over-Charged Unit
Subcooling:
20 to 25 F
Superheat:
8 to 12 F
Discharge:
120 to 130 F
Head Pressure:
220# or higher than normal
Suction Pressure:
80# or higher than normal
Under-Charged Unit
Subcooling:
6 to 8 F or lower than normal
Superheat:
25 to 30 F or higher than
normal
Discharge:
Over 200 F
Head Pressure:
180# or lower than normal
Suction Pressure:
25# if lost a lot of refrigerant
Other:
Lower than normal evaporative
temperature
Plugged Thermal Expansion Valve
Subcooling:
15 to 20 F or higher than
normal
Superheat:
25 to 30 F or higher than
normal
Discharge:
+200 F or warmer than normal
Head Pressure:
250# or higher than normal
Suction Pressure:
45# or lower than normal
Other:
May have frost on air coil
May have high leaving air
temperature
The air coil may not be wet
Low Evaporator Temperature
●
Undercharged.
●
Poor refrigerant distribution.
●
Low airflow (clogged filter or air coil).
●
Excess oil in refrigerant air bypassing the coil.
●
Damaged fins on the coil or poor fin-to-tube bond.
Subcooling in Cooling Mode
●
Subcooled refrigerant is found after the coax and
before the TXV.
●
The liquid line is almost always subcooled.
●
The liquid line should be several degrees colder
than the leaving water temperature.
●
Superheated refrigerant is found after the air coil
and before the compressor.
●
Superheated refrigerant is found after the
compressor and before the coax.
High Suction Superheat
●
Under-charged refrigerant circuit.
●
Poorly adjusted TXV — open it.
●
Plugged TXV.
●
High entering air temp in the cooling mode.
Poorly insulated suction line.
Low Suction Superheat
●
Over-charged refrigerant circuit.
●
Poorly adjusted TXV — close it.
●
Low entering air temp in the cooling mode.
●
Low airflow in the cooling mode.
Discharge Superheat
●
High discharge superheat:
High suction superheat
Compressor lubrication problems
Compressor electrical problems
●
Low discharge superheat:
Low suction superheat
Flooding-back