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HVAC

HVAC (heating, ventilating/ventilation, and air conditioning) is the technology of indoor and vehicular
environmental comfort. Its goal is to provide thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality. HVAC
system design is a sub discipline of mechanical engineering, based on the principles
of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. Refrigeration is sometimes added to the field's
abbreviation as HVAC&R or HVACR, or ventilating is dropped as in HACR (such as the designation of
HACR-rated circuit breakers).
HVAC is an important part of residential structures such as single family homes, apartment buildings,
hotels and senior living facilities, medium to large industrial and office buildings such as skyscrapers and
hospitals, onboard vessels, and in marine environments, where safe and healthy building conditions are
regulated with respect to temperature and humidity, using fresh air from outdoors.

VACUUM

THE EVACUATION AND CHARGE PROCESS


A vacuum pump is used to remove air and contaminants from an HVAC system, creating a
vacuum state. It is important to note that a vacuum pump is not a recovery unit. A recovery unit
should always be used to make sure the refrigerant is recovered from the system before you begin
the vacuum process.
A vacuum can help protect your system from contaminants and non-condensable gases, which
can damage HVAC system components, reduce system efficiency and even cause failure. A
vacuum pump pulls air, moisture and contaminants out of the system after it has been repaired
and before it is recharged. The deeper and more complete the vacuum, the more contaminants
trapped within the system components and even in the compressor oil are removed.
Prior to pulling a vacuum and charging an HVAC system, youll want to recover, repair and check
for leaks. Assuming that these items have been checked off your list, youre ready to safely
evacuate.

EVACUATING A SYSTEM
Before starting, fill the vacuum pump with
vacuum oil. Remove the cap, open the fitting
and begin pouring. Keep pouring the oil until
the oil level reaches the oil line. Here youll
benefit from a large oil fill port and sight glass,
which gives you the benefit of being able to see
when the oil reaches the appropriate level.
It is important to note here that the quality of your vacuum pump performance is directly
related to the quality of your vacuum pump oil. The cleaner your oil, the better your
pumps performance. We recommend high vacuum mineral-based oil be used in all
pumps regardless of the type of oil that is used in the system.
Once you can see through your sight glass that youve reached the proper oil level, put
the fittings back on, or, if desired, attach the exhaust filter.
Remove the Schrader cores (if present) with the core removal tools.

Install the test and charging manifold.


Connect the hoses from the manifold to the system. Connect the low side (or blue hose)
to the low side core removal tool and high side (or red hose) to the high side core removal
tool. If youre using a four-valve manifold, connect the 3/8 hose from the vacuum port
on your manifold to the 3/8 port on the vacuum pump. Connect the 4 th hose from the
manifold to the refrigerant cylinder.
If you are using an extension cord, make sure you are using the proper gauge for your
pump.
Plug in the power cord for the pump.
Open all manifold valves and make sure the vacuum valve and core removal tool ball
valves are open.
Start the pump. For cold weather starts, open the intake port until the pump reaches
running speed and then close it off.

You are now pulling a vacuum. It is important that the oil level remain steady
when the pump is running for proper operation about 1/2 to 5/8 up in the sight glass. If
it falls too low, the vacuum pump could be damaged. If its too high, it will increase the
oil in the exhaust.
Once you have pulled a vacuum that meets the manufacturers specifications, you can
close the valves on the core removal tools.
Observe the vacuum gauge. It is normal operation for a rise in microns to occur.
However, if the rise continues to atmosphere (760,000 microns), there is a leak in the
system.
Check the system manufacturers recommendation for tolerance.

Once you are satisfied with the reading, close the valve that connects the manifold to the
pump.
You can now shut off and disconnect the vacuum pump. Your evacuation process is
complete and you are ready for system charge.

THE CHARGING PROCESS


To charge, open the valve on the refrigerant cylinder.

Add enough refrigerant to create a small positive pressure in the system about 3 psi on
the low side.
Remove the digital vacuum gauge and complete the charging process per the
manufacturers specifications.
Once the charge is complete, you can replace the valve cores and remove the vacuum
valve and core removal tools. Its a good idea to simply replace Schrader valves, as they
are not that expensive and new valves will reduce the likelihood of system leaks.
Screw them back in and seat them properly.
Remove your tools and you are ready to go.
REFRIGERANT COMPRESSORS
Refrigeration compressors and air conditioning compressors provide air
conditioning, heat pumping, and refrigeration for large-scale facilities and equipment.
They use compression to raise the temperature of a low-pressure gas, and also remove
vapor from the evaporator. Most refrigeration compressors (refrigerant compressors) are
large, mechanical units that form the heart of industrial cooling, heating, ventilation, and
air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Many air conditioning compressors are also large-scale
mechanical devices; however, these compressors are designed specifically for air
conditioning systems and do not provide heating or ventilation functions.
Refrigerant compressors work by taking in low pressure gas on the inlet and
compressing it mechanically. Different types of compression mechanisms are what
differentiate compressors (discussed below). This compression creates a high
temperature, high pressure gas - an essential step in the overarching refrigeration cycle.
CLAMP METER
A clamp meter is an electrical tester that combines a voltmeter
with a clamp type current meter. Like the multi meter, the clamp meter
has passed through the analog period and into the digital world of today.
Created primarily as a single purpose test tool for electricians, today's
models have incorporated more measurement functions, more accuracy,
and in some instruments, some very special measurement features.
Today's clamp meters have most of the basic functions of a Digital
Multimeter (DMM), but with the added feature of a current transformer
built into the product.

VOLTMETER
A voltmeter is an instrument used for measuring electrical
potential difference between two points in an electric circuit. Analog
voltmeters move a pointer across a scale in proportion to the voltage of the
circuit; digital voltmeters give a numerical display of voltage by use of
analog to digital converter.

RESISTANCE/GROUND TESTER
It is critical for facilities to have grounded electrical systems, so that
in the event of a lightning strike or utility overvoltage, current will find a safe
path to earth. To ensure a reliable connection to earth, the International
Electrical Testing Association specifies ground electrode testing every three
years.

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