SPLIT SYSTEM

APPLICATION AIR CONDITIONERS AND HEAT PUMPS

DATA Supersedes: 690.01-AD1V (291) 690.01-AD1V (1291)

GENERAL PIPING RECOMMENDATIONS AND

REFRIGERANT LINE LENGTH

INTRODUCTION
• Slope horizontal suction lines on cooling only systems
The tables and application data in this publication will help you approximately 1 inch every 20 feet toward the outdoor unit
to better apply split system cooling and heat pump systems to to facilitate proper oil return. Since the flow of refrigerant is
achieve maximum efficiency and performance, improved reli- bi-directional on heat pumps, all horizontal vapor lines
ability, and greater customer satisfaction. This guideline in- should be level. Pre-charged lines with excess tubing
cludes information for: should be coiled horizontally in an inconspicuous location
to avoid oil trapping. Never coil excess tubing vertically.
• General piping practices • Use long radius elbows wherever possible, except when
• Vapor and liquid line sizing fabricating oil return traps. Short radius elbows should be
used on traps to keep the oil volume returning to the
• Total line length limitations compressor as small as possible. See Figure 2.
• Elevation limitations
• Orifice changes (2) SHORT RADIUS 45°
• System charging STREET ELBOWS

• Special considerations for long line lengths

GENERAL GUIDELINES
The following guidelines apply to the application on either
factory line sets or field fabricated tubing for cooling only and
heat pump systems:
• Many service problems can be avoided by taking adequate
precautions to provide an internally clean and dry system 90° SHORT RADIUS
and by using procedures and materials that conform with ELBOW
established standards.
• Quick-connect systems should use pre-charged refrigerant
line sets designated for the respective unit size. These line FIG. 2 - RECOMMENDED CONSTRUCTION OF OIL
sets are available from Central Environmental Systems. TRAPS
Stub kits are also available to convert quick-connect units
to sweat connections so that field fabricated line sets can
be used. • Use PVC piping as a conduit for all underground installa-
tions. See Figure 3. Buried lines must be kept as short as
• The lines should be installed so that they will not obstruct possible to minimize the build up of liquid refrigerant in the
service access to the indoor coil, air handling system or vapor line during long periods of shutdown. If runs exceed
filter. Install the lines with as few bends as possible. Care 10 feet, an accumulator must be installed on cooling only
must be taken not to damage the couplings or kink the units.
tubing. Care must also be used to isolate the refrigerant
lines to minimize noise transmission from the equipment to
the structure.
• Never solder vapor and liquid lines together. They can be TO INDOOR COIL TO OUTDOOR UNIT
taped together for convenience and support purposes, but LIQUID LINE
INSULATED CAP
they must be completely insulated from each other.
VAPOR LINE
• Support all refrigerant lines at minimum intervals with suit- PVC
able hangers and brackets. Tape and suspend the refriger- CONDUIT
ant lines as shown in Figure 1. DO NOT ALLOW
METAL-TO-METAL CONTACT.
SHEET
METAL
HANGER
LIQUID
LINE

FIG. 3 - UNDERGROUND APPLICATION

• Pack fiberglass insulation and a sealing material such as

permagum around refrigerant lines where they penetrate a
wall to reduce vibration and to retain some flexibility.
• Do not install a filter drier since one is factory installed in
TAPE every outdoor unit.
INSULATED
VAPOR LINE
• Insulate all vapor lines with a minimum of 1/2 inch of foam
rubber. Liquid lines that will be exposed to direct sunlight
FIG. 1 - REFRIGERANT LINE SUPPORT must also be insulated.

FOR DISTRIBUTION USE ONLY - NOT TO BE USED AT POINT OF RETAIL SALE

690.01-AD1V
The following additional guidelines apply to field fabricated
piping:
• Use hard drawn “L” type copper tubing where no apprecia-
ble amount of bending around pipes or obstructions is
necessary. If soft copper must be used, care should be
taken to avoid sharp bends which may cause a restriction.
• Braze all copper to copper joints with Silfos-5 or equivalent
brazing material. DO NOT USE SOFT SOLDER.
• During brazing operations, flow an inert gas such as nitro-
gen through the system to prevent internal scaling and
contamination.
• NEVER ADD OIL TO THE SYSTEM
TOTAL LINE LENGTH
The total length of interconnecting tubing is the sum of all
horizontal and vertical runs from the indoor unit to the outdoor
unit. Total measured line lengths are limited to:
For split system heat pumps, interconnecting refrigerant lines
should be sized to match the factory supplied fittings. Vapor
lines may be increased by one size to minimize pressure drop.
Liquid lines must NEVER be increased or decreased. The
additional charge required for larger liquid lines will overflow
the accumulator in the heating cycle.
For cooling systems where the indoor and outdoor sections are
installed at the same elevation, refrigerant line sizes can usu-
ally be matched with the factory supplied fittings. There are a
few exceptions for total line lengths exceeding 100 feet where
pressure drop limitations are exceeded.
In some cooling system applications, especially where eleva-
tion differences exist between the indoor and outdoor sections,
suction and liquid line sizes can be increased (or decreased)
to minimize pressure loss (or gain) and improve oil return to the
compressor. When sizing refrigerant lines for split system
cooling units, the following factors must be considered:

UNIT SIZE LINE LENGTH 1. Suction line pressure loss due to friction.
Heat Pump 012 to 060 75 or 125 feet* 2. Suction line velocity for oil return.
Cooling 012 to 018 125 feet 3. Liquid line pressure loss due to friction.
024 to 060 175 feet
4. Liquid line pressure loss (or gain) due to static head.
*See Heat Pump installation instructions for correct maximum line length.

The limiting factor on heat pumps is the storage capacity of the The effects that each of these factors have on a cooling system
accumulator. The limiting factor on cooling units is oil sump depend on the orientation of the indoor and outdoor sections;
capacity in the compressor. e.g., indoor unit above the outdoor unit. Before we discuss the
Total equivalent line lengths must only be used when calculat- various orientations, it is important to understand a few things
ing pressure drop. Therefore use the following table to calculate about suction and liquid lines.
equivalent lengths for elbows. (NOTE: See Figure 2 for number
of ells in suction line trap.)
First, let’s consider suction lines. Suction pressure loss re-
duces system capacity by 1% per psi. This can be a serious
TABLE 1 - EQUIVALENT LENGTHS OF ELBOWS
problem if suction lines are not sized properly and pressure
LINE 90° SHORT 90° LONG loss is 8 or 9 psi. Therefore, in order to minimize capacity loss
SIZE RADIUS RADIUS and maximize efficiency, suction pressure loss must be mini-
INCHES (O.D.) ELBOW (FT.)* ELBOW (FT.) mized. This is achieved by increasing the size of the suction
1/4 0.7 0.6 line. As a good achievable guideline, suction pressure loss
5/16 0.8 0.7 should not be allowed to exceed 3 psi.
3/8 0.9 0.8
1/2 1.2 1.0 Another important consideration when sizing suction lines is
5/8 1.5 1.3 refrigerant gas velocity in a suction riser. Velocity of at least
3/4 1.6 1.4 1000 feet per minute is required to carry oil up a suction riser.
7/8 1.8 1.6 Of course, this is only a factor when the outdoor unit is above
1-1/8 2.4 2.0 the indoor unit and the oil must overcome the pull of gravity to
* Two 45° radius ells equals one 90° radius ell.
return to the compressor. Greater refrigerant velocities are
obtained by decreasing the size of the suction line. In applica-
tions where smaller tubing is required for a suction riser and
ELEVATION DIFFERENCES larger tubing is needed to minimize pressure drop, the riser
Elevation differences between the indoor and outdoor units can must be sized to achieve a velocity of at least 1000 feet per
cause system performance and reliability problems if special minute while the horizontal runs can be sized larger to minimize
considerations are not made to line sizes and orifice sizes. Both pressure drop.
of these are covered in detail in the Line Sizing section below.
LINE SIZING Liquid lines must also be sized to minimize pressure change.
The total pressure change in a liquid line is the sum of the loss
Every split system unit is shipped with a factory-mounted sweat due to friction and the loss (or gain) due to static head in the
or quick-connect fitting. Standard system fittings are shown vertical line. Liquid pressure loss reduces the amount of liquid
below: sub-cooling at the rate of 1 degree for every 3 psi of pressure
loss. If the liquid pressure drop is high enough to deplete all of
Unit Liquid Vapor the liquid sub-cooling in a system, liquid will start to flash
Size Line OD Line OD reducing the refrigerant flow through the indoor coil metering
012 to 024 5/16" 5/8" device. Although a system can tolerate some flash gas at the
030 to 036 5/16" 3/4" metering device, under certain conditions the indoor coil can
042 to 060 3/8" 7/8" be starved and the coil will freeze. As a general guideline, total
liquid pressure loss must never exceed 30 psi.
2 Central Environmental Systems

INDOOR UNIT ABOVE OUTDOOR UNIT
With this configuration, a common problem with the cooling
cycle (air conditioning or heat pump) is that the amount of liquid
sub-cooling varies as operating conditions change (such as
outdoor ambient). Under some conditions, it is possible that
flashing will actually occur in the liquid riser. As long as only
liquid is present in the liquid riser, the liquid static pressure loss
can be calculated at 1/2 psi per foot of rise. However, as soon
as flashing starts, the rate of pressure loss increases and
continues to increase as the amount of gas increases. For this
reason, the restrictions on elevation differences for this con-
figuration must be based on the entire range of operating
conditions.
When the indoor unit is above the outdoor unit, the pressure
loss in the liquid line during the cooling cycle will limit the
amount of elevation difference allowed. Since both friction and
static head contribute to pressure loss, it can be stated that the
elevation difference allowed decreases as the total equivalent
line length (horizontal plus vertical) increases.
Table 2 shows elevation limits for each size unit with various
size liquid lines over a range of total line lengths. This table
should be used to size liquid lines based on the total equivalent
line length of the system and the amount of rise required for
the installation. Never exceed the elevation limit shown and
always choose the smallest liquid line possible to minimize the
total system charge.
690.01-AD1V
device can be increased in size to allow more refrigerant
through. Table 3 shows orifice corrections for various ranges
of liquid pressure losses. Friction losses can be calculated
using Table 4, which shows pressure drop per 100 feet for
various liquid line sizes. Static pressure loss can be calculated
at 1/2 psi per foot of rise. REMEMBER, TOTAL PRESSURE
LOSS IS THE SUM OF THE FRICTION AND STATIC
LOSSES.
Example: Given a 3 ton system with a #63 orifice, 5/16 liquid
line, total equivalent piping length of 75 feet and 20
feet of liquid line lift;
Friction loss = 75 ft. x 26 psi/100 ft. = 19.5 psi
Static loss = 20 ft. x 1/2 psi/ft. = 10.0 psi
Total loss = 29.5 psi
From Table 3, increase orifice from #63 to #67.
With this unit configuration, suction gas velocity is not a prob-
lem because oil can flow down to the outdoor unit. Therefore,
the only consideration with the suction line is pressure loss.
Table 5 shows pressure drop per 100 feet for various suction
line sizes. This table should be used to size suction lines to
minimize pressure drop.

For example, a 3 ton system with 100 feet of total equivalent

line length and 35 feet of lift will require a 3/8 liquid line. The
same system with only 5 feet of lift will require a 5/16 liquid line. TABLE 3 - RECOMMENDED ORIFICE SIZE

CAUTION: Remember, never increase liquid line size on heat LIQUID LINE
LIQUID LINE
pumps. PRESSURE
PRESSURE GAINS (PSI)
LOSSES (PSI)
TABLE 2 - ELEVATION LIMITS - INDOOR UNIT STANDARD
51 41 31 21 11 11 21
ORIFICE
ABOVE OUTDOOR UNIT Thru Thru Thru Thru Thru
SIZE
Thru Thru
60 50 40 30 20 20 30
TOTAL EQUIV. LINE LENGTH - FEET
CORRECTED CORRECT
FRICTION UP ** ** ORIFICE SIZE ORIFICE SIZE
UNIT LINE
LOSS TO 50 75 100 125 150 175
SIZE SIZE - - - - 39 41 43 45
PSI/100 ft. 25
- - - 39 41 43 45 47
MAXIMUM ELEVATION - FEET
41 43 45 47 49 51 53 55
1/4 15.0 25 45 38 30 22 15 8
12 43 45 47 49 51 53 55 57
5/16* 3.7 25 50 50 50 50 49 47
45 47 49 51 53 55 57 59
1/4 32.0 25 28 12 NR NR NR NR
18 47 49 51 53 55 57 59 61
5/16* 7.8 25 50 48 44 40 37 33
5/16* 12.5 25 48 41 35 29 22 16 49 51 53 55 57 59 61 63
24
3/8 4.8 25 50 50 50 48 46 43 51 53 55 57 59 61 63 65
5/16* 19.0 25 41 32 22 12 3 NR 53 55 57 59 61 63 65 67
30
3/8 7.1 25 50 49 46 42 39 35 55 57 59 61 63 65 67 69
5/16* 26.0 25 34 21 8 NR NR NR 57 59 61 63 65 67 69 71
36 3/8 9.7 25 50 45 41 36 31 26
1/2 2.1 25 50 50 50 50 50 50 59 61 63 65 67 69 71 73
3/8* 12.0 25 48 42 36 30 24 18 61 63 65 67 69 71 73 75
42 63 65 67 69 71 73 75 78
1/2 2.7 25 50 50 50 50 50 50
3/8* 17.5 25 42 34 25 16 8 NR 65 67 69 71 73 75 78 81
48
1/2 3.8 25 50 50 50 50 49 47 69 71 73 75 75 78 81 84
3/8* 24.4 25 38 23 11 NR NR NR 71 73 75 78 78 81 84 87
60
1/2 5.3 25 50 50 49 47 44 41 75 75 78 81 81 84 87 90
* = Standard line sizes must be used on all heat pumps.
** = 75 or 125 feet maximum total line length depending on model (see heat pump 78 78 81 84 84 87 90 93
installation instructions for correct maximum line length). 81 81 84 87 87 90 93 96
NR = Not recommended.
84 84 87 90 90 93 96 99
87 87 90 93 93 96 99 102
As a result of liquid line pressure drop, system capacity is lost 90 90 93 96 96 99 102 105
because the flow of refrigerant through the expansion device 93 93 96 99 99 102 105 105
is reduced. To compensate for this pressure drop, the orifice

Central Environmental Systems 3

690.01-AD1V
TABLE 4 - LIQUID LINE PRESSURE CHANGES COOLING CYCLE
TYPE “L” PRESSURE CHANGE When the outdoor unit is above the indoor unit, the static
UNIT pressure gain in the liquid line vertical drop (1/2 psi per foot)
COPPER TUBING FRICTION LOSS STATIC LOSS
SIZE may overcome the frictional pressure loss resulting in a total
(“OD) (PSI/100 FT.) OR GAIN (PSI/FT.)
pressure gain. A pressure gain in the liquid line is not detrimen-
1/4 15.0 tal to the performance of the system, but it could cause an
012
5/16* 3.7 overfeeding of the indoor coil which could effect the reliability.
1/4 32.0 This problem can be overcome by decreasing the size of the
018
5/16* 7.8 orifice device. Table 3 shows orifice corrections for various
5/16* 12.5 ranges of pressure gain. Friction losses can be calculated
024 using Table 4, which shows pressure drop per 100 feet for
3/8 4.8
5/16* 19.0
various liquid line sizes. Static pressure gain can be calculated
030
3/8 7.1
at 1/2 psi per foot of drop.
5/16* 26.0 0.5
Example: Given a 2 ton system with a #55 orifice, 5/16 liquid
036 3/8 9.7
1/2 2.1
line, total equivalent piping length of 48 feet and 34
feet of liquid line drop.
3/8* 12.0
042
1/2 2.7
Friction loss = 48 ft. x 12.5 psi/100 ft. = -6.0 psi
3/8* 17.5
048 Static gain = 34 ft. x 1/2 psi/ft. = 17.0 psi
1/2 3.8
3/8* 24.4 Net gain = 11.0 psi
060
1/2 5.3
*Standard line sizes must be used on all heat pumps.
From Table 3, decrease orifice from #55 to #53.

TABLE 5 - SUCTION LINES On cooling only systems where the outdoor unit is located high
above the indoor coil, it may even be possible to reduce the
TYPE “L” REFRIGERANT FRICTION
UNIT size of the liquid line. The static gain in the vertical drop will
COPPER TUBING GAS VELOCITY LOSS
SIZE offset the increased friction loss caused by smaller tubing. In
(“OD) (FT./MIN.) PSI/100 FT.)
1/2 1,970 7.5 addition, the reduction in the total system charge due to the
012 smaller liquid line will enhance the reliability of the system.
5/8* 1,225 2.5
5/8* 1,835 5.5 However, as noted previously, never change the liquid line
018
3/4 1,250 2.0 size on heat pumps.
5/8* 2,450 9.1
024 3/4 1,665 3.2 With this configuration, gas velocity in the vapor riser must be
7/8 1,180 1.5 kept above 1000 feet per minute for oil return and below 3000
3/4* 2,080 3.8 feet per minute to avoid noise and vibration problems. Table 5
030 shows friction losses and refrigerant gas velocities for various
7/8 1,475 2.1
3/4* 2,500 7.0
size vapor lines on each unit size. This table should be used to
036
7/8 1,770 3.0
size vapor lines for proper oil return and minimum pressure
loss.
3/4 2,915 9.1
042 7/8* 2,065 4.1
NOTE: For either heat pump or cooling only systems in this
1-1/8 1,205 1.1
configuration with elevation differences greater than 5
7/8* 2,355 5.2
048 feet, install traps in the suction riser using the following
1-1/8 1,375 1.5
guidelines:
7/8* 2,945 8.0
060
1-1/8 1,720 2.2
1. For lifts up to 50 feet, only one trap at the bottom of
*Standard line size.
the riser is required.

2. For lifts between 50 and 100 feet, install a second

For example, using a 3/4 inch suction line on a 3 ton system trap halfway up the riser.
with 100 feet of total equivalent line length would result in a
pressure drop of 7 psi, which is equivalent to a 7% decrease
in capacity. Using a 7/8 inch suction line on the same system 3. For lifts over 100 feet, install traps at 1/3 intervals.
would result in a pressure drop of 3 psi.
HEATING CYCLE (Heat Pumps Only)
NOTE: Horizontal suction lines (for cooling only units) should
be pitched at least 1 inch every 20 feet in the direction In the heating mode, liquid will travel from the indoor unit up
of the cooling cycle refrigerant flow to aid the return of the liquid riser to the outdoor unit. This will result in a liquid line
oil to the compressor. pressure drop and a starved outdoor coil. Since heat pumps
have a defrost cycle, coil freeze-up is not a problem. However,
OUTDOOR UNIT ABOVE INDOOR UNIT the resulting lower suction pressure will decrease the capacity
and efficiency of the system. Figures 4 thru 7 are curves which
Elevation differences for this configuration are limited to the show the heating and efficiency losses for elevation differences
following: at various outdoor ambients. There is nothing that can be done
Unit Size Elevation Limit to correct this problem since line sizes cannot be changed on
Heat Pumps 012 to 060 50 feet heat pumps and capillary tubes are used for expansion at the
Cooling 012 to 018 125 feet
outdoor coil. Fortunately, all capacity and efficiency losses
024 to 060 150 feet
decrease as the outdoor ambient decreases, which is advan-
tageous to the heat pump system performance.
4 Central Environmental Systems
 690.01-AD1V
ADDITIONAL REFRIGERANT For the same system using a 3/8 liquid line and a 3/4 vapor line,
In many applications, additional refrigerant will have to be Liquid line charge add = 50 ft. x 0.62 oz./ft. = 31 oz.
added to the system. The actual amount of charge that must Vapor line charge add = 50 ft. x 0.06 oz./ft. = 3 oz.
be added is determined by adding the following: 34 oz.
Charge add for
1. The indoor coil charge adjustment from the Product Tech interconnecting tubing = 34 oz. - 7 oz. = 27 oz.
Guide. This is always a predetermined amount based on
the outdoor unit/indoor coil combination being used. TABLE 7 - SWEAT UNITS-INCLUDED CHARGE FOR:
UNIT SIZE 15 FT. OF PIPING* 25 FT. OF PIPING*
2. The additional charge required for the interconnecting pip- 012 7 11
ing. This is dependent on the type of unit being used (i.e., 018 7 11
sweat or quick-connect) and the size of the vapor and liquid 024 7 11
lines. There are three possible applications for the intercon-
030 7 11.5
necting tubing, each of which requires a different amount
of additional charge. These three applications are ex- 036 7 11.5
plained below. 042 10 17.5
048 10 17.5
The first and easiest combination is using a unit with quick-con- 060 10 17.5
nects and factory-supplied pre-charged line sets. This combi- *Refer to installation instruction for proper charge included in unit.
nation does not require any additional refrigerant for the
interconnecting tubing. The only additional charge required is
that for the indoor coil adjustment.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
The second application is using a quick-connect unit with stub
kits and field supplied tubing. The additional charge require- If not provided as standard features, the following items are re-
ment can be determined by multiplying the total measured line quired when measured piping lengths exceed fifty (50) feet:
length of the vapor and liquid lines by the appropriate factors 1. Low Voltage Start Kit (2SA06701006) - single phase units on
from Table 6. 208V application.
2. Off Cycle Timer (2TD08700124) - if item 1 is used.
Example: For a system using a 3/8 liquid line and a 3/4 suction
3. Crankcase Heater (025-19961-001) - except units with a
line with a total measured length of 50 feet,
scroll compressor.
Liquid line 50 feet x 0.62 oz./foot = 31 oz. On cooling only systems with measured piping lengths greater than
Suction line 50 feet x 0.06 ox./foot = 3 oz. seventy-five (75) feet, one of the accumulators in Table 8 must be
field installed near the outdoor unit. The accumulator should be
Charge add for interconnecting tubing = 34 oz.
sized based on total system charge. The total system charge is
TABLE 6 - LINE CHARGE determined by adding the outdoor unit charge and the indoor coil
adjustment from the Product Tech Guide and the additional charge
required for the interconnecting piping.
R-22 LINE CHARGE
NOTE: If underground piping runs exceed 10 feet, an accu-
SUCTION 0Z./FT. LIQUID OZ./FT. mulator must be installed.
1/2 0.02 1/4 0.23
5/8 0.04 5/16 0.40 TABLE 8 - ACCUMULATORS*
3/4 0.06 3/8 0.62 Maximum A B C
7/8 0.08 1/2 1.12 System Height Conn. Accumulator
1-1/8 0.14 Charge Dia. (Can) Size Part Number
(Oz. R-22) (In.) (In.) (In.)
The third application is using a sweat connect unit with field 74 3.00 11.50 5/8 026-24012-000
supplied tubing. Remember, all sweat connect units are 90 3.20 13.30 5/8 026-32291-000
shipped from the factory with enough refrigerant for the 108 4.00 9.75 3/4 026-20738-701
first (15 or 25) feet of standard size piping. (See installation 120 5.20 7.90 3/4 026-30773-000
instructions for proper charge included in unit.) The total addi- 120 5.20 7.90 7/8 026-31624-000
tional charge requirement can be determined by adding the 140 5.00 8.76 3/4 026-29607-701
charge required for the vapor and liquid lines, and then sub- 150 5.20 9.98 3/4 026-25573-001
tracting the appropriate factory supplied charge amount from 150 5.20 9.60 7/8 026-25573-004
Table 7. The charge requirement for the vapor and liquid lines 180 5.20 11.20 7/8 026-25573-002
can be determined by multiplying the total line length by each
of the appropriate factors from Table 6. 224 5.00 11.63 7/8 026-20738-002
250 5.00 13.27 7/8 026-20688-702
250 6.00 9.50 1-1/8 026-20738-003
Example: For a 3 ton sweat-connect system using a 5/16
liquid line and a 3/4 vapor line and having 50 total 308 6.00 12.58 1-1/8 026-20738-704
320 6.00 13.75 1-3/8 026-21989-701
measured feet of piping,
345 5.00 17.20 1-1/8 026-20688-003
368 6.00 16.30 1-1/8 026-26924-000
Liquid line charge add = 50 ft. x 0.4 oz./ft. = 20 oz.
468 6.00 18.00 1-3/8 026-21989-003
Vapor line charge add = 50 ft. x 0.06 oz./ft. = 3 oz. 499 6.00 20.25 1-3/8 026-21989-002
23 oz.
* Accumulator size was selected to accept approximately 1/2 of maximum system
Charge add for charge shown.
interconnecting tubing = 23 oz. - 7 oz. = 16 oz.

Central Environmental Systems 5

690.01-AD1V
Example 1
Given a 3 ton heat pump with a 208V application using sweat
connections and factory supplied crankcase heater. Assume
the orifice required for this system is a #69 and the additional
charge from the tech guide orifice chart is 4 oz.
Total equivalent vapor line length is 75 feet plus one long radius
elbow and two 90° short radius elbows for trap. Total equivalent
liquid line length is 75 feet plus two long radius elbows.
3/4" Vapor line = 75 ft. + 1 ells (1.4 ft.) + 2 ells (1.6 ft) = 79.6 ft.
7/8" Vapor line = 75 ft. + 1 ells (1.6 ft.) + 2 ells (1.8 ft) = 80.2 ft.
5/16" Liquid line = 75 ft. + 2 ells (.7 ft.) = 76.4 ft.
Vapor Line - The factory supplied vapor connection on a 3 ton
unit is 3/4. From Table 5, a 3/4 vapor line will result
in a 5.6 psi pressure drop (79.6 ft. x 7 psi/100 ft.).
The vapor line may be increased one size on heat
pumps, therefore, using a 7/8 line will result in a
2.4 psi pressure drop (80.2 ft. x 3 psi/100 ft.). The
gas velocity for the 7/8 line is 1770 ft./min., which
is adequate for oil return.
Liquid Line - Liquid lines on heat pumps must match the stand-
ard factory supplied fitting. In this example, the
liquid line must be 5/16.
Orifice Change - From Table 4, the liquid line pressure change is:
Friction loss = 76.4 ft. x 26 psi/100 ft. = -19.9 psi
Static gain = 50 ft. x 0.5 psi/ft. = 25.0 psi
Net gain of = 5.1 psi
OUTDOOR 15 FT.
UNIT
50 FT.
TRAP 10 FT.
(VAPOR LINE INDOOR
ONLY) UNIT
From Table 3, no change to the orifice is required.
Additional Requirements - Since the total piping length exceeds
50 feet, the following items must be field installed
if not provided as standard factory equipment:
• Low voltage start kit
• Off cycle timer
Crankcase heat is factory supplied.
Example 2
Given a 3 ton cooling system with a 208V application using
quick connects and stub kits. No crankcase heater supplied.
Assume the orifice required for this system is a #73 and the
additional charge from the tech guide orifice chart is 4 oz.
Total equivalent line length is 60 feet plus two long radius
elbows.
3/4" Suction line = 60 ft. + 2 ells (1.4 ft.) = 62.8 ft.
7/8" Suction line = 60 ft. + 2 ells (1.6 ft.) = 63.2 ft.
3/8" Liquid line = 60 ft. + 2 ells (.8 ft.) = 61.6 ft.
Suction line -The factory supplied suction connection on a 3 ton
unit is 3/4. From Table 5, a 3/4 suction line will
result in a 4.4 psi pressure drop (62.8 ft. x 7
psi/100 ft.). Increasing the suction line to 7/8 will
result in a 1.9 psi pressure drop (63.2 ft. x 3
psi/100 ft.). Choosing the 7/8 suction line will
minimize capacity loss.
Liquid line - The factory supplied liquid connection is 5/16.
However, from Table 2, a 3 ton unit with a 5/16
liquid line and a total equivalent line length be-
tween 50 and 75 feet is allowed only 21 feet of lift.
A 3/8 liquid line is allowed 45 feet of lift. Therefore,
the 3/8 liquid line must be used.
Orifice change - From Table 4, the liquid line pressure change is:
Friction loss = 61.6 ft. x 9.7 psi/100 ft. = - 6.0 psi
Static loss = 35 ft. x 0.5 psi/ft. = -17.5 psi
Net loss of = -23.5 psi
INDOOR 15 FT.
UNIT

Additional Charge - Using a 5/16 liquid line and 7/8 suction 35 FT.
line, from Table 6, the additional charge
required is calculated as follows: 10 FT. OUTDOOR
UNIT
Additional charge from tech guide orifice chart = 4 oz.
Liquid line 75 ft. x 0.40 oz./ft. = 30 oz. From Table 3, the required orifice for this system is #78.
Vapor line 75 ft. x 0.08 oz./ft. = 6 oz.
40 oz. Additional Charge - Using a 3/8 liquid line and a 7/8 suction
Since a sweat connect unit is being used, the factory supplied line, from Table 6, the additional charge
charge for the first 15 ft. of piping shown in Table 7 must be required is calculated as follows:
subtracted, 40 oz. - 7 oz. = 33 oz. additional charge required.
Heat Cycle Capacity and Efficiency Losses - From Figure 7, Additional charge from tech guide orifice chart = 4.0 oz.
heating cycle capacity and efficiency losses re- Liquid line 60 ft. x 0.62 oz./ft. = 37.2 oz.
sulting from the 50 ft. elevation difference are as Suction 60 ft. x 0.08 oz./ft. = 4.8 oz.
follows: 46.0 oz.
Additional Requirements - Since the total piping length exceeds
O.D. Capacity Efficiency 50 feet, the following items must be field installed
Amb. (°F) Loss (%) Loss (%) if not provided as standard factory equipment:
60 20 13 • Low voltage start kit
47 11 7
• Off cycle timer
38 2 1
• Crankcase heater
6 Central Environmental Systems
 690.01-AD1V

FIG. 4 - 1 AND 1.5 TON

FIG. 5 - 2 AND 3.5 TON

Central Environmental Systems 7

FIG. 6 - 2.5 AND 4 TON

FIG. 7 - 3 AND 5 TON

Supersedes: 690.01-AD1V (291)
Subject to change without notice. Printed in U.S.A. Codes: EBY,EGY,EGYC,EBF,EBL 690.01-AD1V
Central Post Office York
Environmental Box 1592 Pennsylvania
Systems 17405-1592