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    Applications

    Guide

    Tube Size andComponent Selectionfor TTA and TWA Split Systems(7.520 Tons)

    May 2005 SS-APG002-EN

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    Preface

    2005 American Standard All rights reserved Tube Size and Component Selection for TTA and TWA Split Systems (7.520 Tons) SS-APG002-EN

    Trane, in proposing these system design and application concepts, assumes no

    responsibility for the performance or desirability of any resulting system design. Design of

    the HVAC system is the prerogative and responsibility of the engineering professional.

    Trane and the Trane logo are registered trademarks of Trane, which is a business of

    American Standard Companies.

    This application guide provides design engineers and mechanical contractors

    with refrigerant piping guidelines for Trane 7.5- through 20-ton split air-

    conditioning systems. These guidelines specifically address Model TTA

    cooling-only units and Model TWA heat pumps, when used with matching

    Model TWE air handlers or matching Trane coils. Use the information

    presented here to properly select interconnecting piping and components for

    these systems.

    This publication also outlines an envelope of component proximity for

    standard comfort air-conditioning applications. Applications that exceed this

    envelope, as well as non-standard comfort-cooling applications, must be

    reviewed by Trane to help assure proper performance.

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    SS-APG002-EN Tube Size and Component Selection for TTA and TWA Split Systems (7.520 Tons) 3

    Contents

    Overview .......................................................................................................... 4Background .................................................................................................. 4

    Whats changed ............................................................................................ 5

    Smaller liquid lines ................................................................................ 5

    Effect on gas-line sizes .......................................................................... 7

    Hot gas bypass in comfort-cooling applications ................................. 7

    Equipment placement ........................................................................... 8

    Liquid-line refrigerant management .................................................. 10

    Tube Size and Component Selection ...................................................... 12Liquid lines ................................................................................................. 12

    Line sizing ............................................................................................ 12

    Routing ................................................................................................. 12Insulation .............................................................................................. 12

    Components ......................................................................................... 12

    Gas lines ..................................................................................................... 13

    Line sizing ............................................................................................ 13

    Routing ................................................................................................. 14

    Insulation .............................................................................................. 14

    Components ......................................................................................... 14

    Refrigerant Piping Examples ..................................................................... 15

    Illustrations

    1 Interconnecting refrigerant lines in a typical split system ................. 5

    2 Allowable elevation difference: TTA aboveindoor unit .................... 9

    3 Allowable elevation difference: TWA aboveindoor unit ................... 9

    4 Allowable elevation difference: TTA or TWA belowindoor unit ...... 9

    5 Liquid line elevated above outdoor and/or indoor units .................. 10

    6 Liquid-line check-valve placement in heat-pump applications ........ 11

    7 Gas-line arrangement at the outlet of a field-supplied indoor coil . 14

    8 Typical piping: TTA cooling-only unit and TWE air handler ............ 15

    9 Typical piping: TTA cooling-only unit and matched indoor coil ..... 15

    10 Typical piping: TWA heat pump and TWE air handler ..................... 16

    11 Typical piping: TWA heat pump and matched indoor coil .............. 16

    12 Indoor coil with one distributor (single-circuit TTA/TWA units) ...... 17

    13 Indoor coil with two distributors (single-circuit TTA/TWA units) .... 18

    14 Indoor coil with two distributors (dual-circuit TTA/TWA units) ....... 19

    15 Indoor coil with four distributors (dual-circuit TTA/TWA units) ...... 20

    Tables

    1 Recommendations for refrigerant-piping components ...................... 6

    2 Recommendations for expansion valves and indoor check valves ... 6

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    4 Tube Size and Component Selection for TTA and TWA Split Systems (7.5 20 Tons) SS-APG002-EN

    Overview

    Nothing is permanent except change.

    Heraclitus of Ephesus, Greek philosopher, 513 B.C.

    The refrigerant piping rules for split air-conditioning systems are no

    exception to this maxim. Traditional practice was guided by three underlying

    objectives:

    Make sure that oil returns to the compressor.

    Maintain a continuous column of liquid refrigerant at the

    expansion valve.

    Minimize capacity loss.

    Decades of practical experience helped us identify another important goal:

    Minimize the refrigerant charge in the system.

    Evidence accumulated over years of observation demonstrates that the

    lower the refrigerant charge, the more reliably a split air-conditioning system

    performs. Anyamount of refrigerant in excess of the minimum design charge

    becomes difficult to manage. The excess refrigerant tends to collect in areas

    that can interfere with proper operation and eventually shortens the service

    life of the system.

    Reevaluating traditional practice in the context of minimizing the refrigerant

    charge led us to refine our recommendations for split-system refrigerant

    piping. The current recommendations not only enable reliable operation, butalso simplify the design of the system and lower its initial cost.

    Background

    In a split air-conditioning system, the four major components of the

    refrigeration system are connected by field-assembled refrigerant piping

    (Figure 1). A suction line connects the evaporator to the compressor, the

    discharge line connects the compressor to the condenser, and the liquid line

    connects the condenser to the expansion device, which is typically located

    near the evaporator inlet. Operational problems can occur if these refrigerant

    lines are designed or installed improperly.

    The origin of the requirements for equivalent line lengths of components,

    line pressure drop, and minimum and maximum refrigerant velocities is

    uncertain. It appears likely that at least some of the supporting data was

    derived from measurements and/or equations involving water. Some

    resource materials even showwater components when illustrating

    refrigerant piping requirements.

    Subsequent reviews of analytical and empirical data for refrigerant piping

    resulted in the publication of two research papers: Pressure Losses in

    Tubing, Pipe, and Fittingsby R.J.S. Pigott and Refrigerant Piping Systems

    A 2001 Trane Engineers Newsletter

    revisits the fundamental rules for

    refrigerant piping in light of scrollcompressor technology. You can find this

    article, titled As Equipment Evolves, So

    Must Piping Practices: Split Systems and

    Interconnecting Refrigerant Lines, at

    http://www.trane.com/commercial/

    library/vol274/en274.pdf.

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    Overview

    SS-APG002-EN Tube Size and Component Selection for TTA and TWA Split Systems (7.520 Tons) 5

    Refrigerants 12, 22, 500by the American Society of Refrigeration Engineers

    (ASRE). In his paper, Mr. Pigott described his use of refrigerant as the fluid

    and his direct measurement of pressure drops. His findings indicated that the

    pressure drop of many line components is small and difficult to measure. For

    these components, he used experimental data to derive a formula relating

    the geometry of the component to its pressure drop. Overall, his calculated

    pressure loss of the components was less than originally determined.

    The conclusion of the ASRE research paper stated that the minimum required

    velocity to maintain oil entrainment in vertical risers and horizontal lines will

    vary with the diameter of the tube and with the saturation temperature of thesuction gas. In other words, the minimum required velocity for oil

    entrainment is not constant.

    Whats changed

    Smaller liquid lines

    Historically, liquid lines were sized to minimize the pressure losses within the

    piping circuit. Oil movement through the piping wasnt a concern (nor is it

    today) because oil is miscible in liquid refrigerant at normal liquid-line

    temperatures. Consequently, designers often attempted to make more liquid

    refrigerant available at the thermal expansion valve (TXV) at a wider range of

    operating conditions by increasing the size of the liquid line. Ironically, the

    condensers response to the oversized liquid lines actually reducedthe

    subcooling available at the TXV.

    Focusing instead on minimizing the liquid-line charge would prompt

    selection of the smallest liquid-line diameter that maintains subcooling at the

    TXV throughout the systems operating envelope. This line-sizing strategy

    would almost certainly increase the pressure drop; it also would use more

    (not all) of the available subcooling.

    Figure 1. Interconnecting refrigerant lines in a typical split air-conditioning system

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    6 Tube Size and Component Selection for TTA and TWA Split Systems (7.5 20 Tons) SS-APG002-EN

    Overview

    Table 1. Recommendations for refrigerant-piping components

    TTA090A,

    TWA090A

    TTA120A,

    TWA120A

    TTA120Ba

    a Be sure to double the component quantities listed above for the following units, which contain two refrigerant circuits: TTA120B, 150B, 180B, and 240B cooling-

    only units, and TWA180B and 240B heat pumps.

    TTA120C TTA150B a TTA180B,

    TWA180B aTTA180C TTA240B,

    TWA240B a

    Refrigerant circuits 1 1 2 1 2 2 1 2

    Minimum unloading 7.5 tons 10 tons 5 tons 5 tons 6.25 tons 7.5 tons 7.5 tons 10 tons

    GAS LINE

    Tube size (OD)b

    b Line sizes shown apply when the total line length and rise complies with the allowable limits for gas lines (Figure 2 or Figure 3, p. 9) and liquid lines (Figure 4, p. 9).

    If the piping layout exceeds either of these limits, ask your local Trane office to review the application.

    1-3/8 inch 1-3/8 inch 1-1/8 inch 1-3/8 inch 1-3/8 inch 1-3/8 inch 1-5/8 inch 1-3/8 inch

    Access port Schraeder

    valve w/core

    Schraeder

    valve w/core

    Schraeder

    valve w/core

    Schraeder

    valve w/core

    Schraeder

    valve w/core

    Schraeder

    valve w/core

    Schraeder

    valve w/core

    Schraeder

    valve w/core

    LIQUID LINE

    Tube size (OD)b 1/2 inch 1/2 inch 3/8 inch 1/2 inch 1/2 inch 1/2 inch 5/8 inch 1/2 inch

    Filter drierc

    c A liquid-line filter drier is factory-installed in each refrigerant circuit of a TTA or TWA unit. If a filter drier is installed elsewhere in the liquid line, be sure to remove

    the factory-supplied filter from the TTA/TWA. See pp. 1213 for more information.

    TTA:

    DHY01123

    TTA:

    DHY01123

    TTA:

    DHY01123

    TTA:

    DHY01123

    TTA:

    DHY01123

    TTA:

    DHY01123

    TTA:

    DHY01123

    TTA:

    DHY01123

    TWA:

    DHY01091

    TWA:

    DHY01091

    TWA:

    DHY01091

    TWA:

    DHY01091Access port (1 per ckt) Schraeder

    valve w/core

    Schraeder

    valve w/core

    Schraeder

    valve w/core

    Schraeder

    valve w/core

    Schraeder

    valve w/core

    Schraeder

    valve w/core

    Schraeder

    valve w/core

    Schraeder

    valve w/core

    Check valve (TTA

    cooling-only units)d

    d In an application that pairs a TWA heat pump with an indoor coil (rather than a TWE air handler), provide a check valve (Table 2 below) for each expansion valve

    at the indoor coil. See Figure 11 (p. 16) for placement.

    VAL08460 VAL08460 VAL08460e

    e Reducers are required to install this check valve because it is one size larger than the liquid line.

    VAL08460 VAL08460 VAL08460 VAL07030e VAL08460

    Moisture-indicating

    sight glass (1 per ckt)

    GLS00853 GLS00853 GLS00852 GLS00853 GLS00853 GLS00853 GLS00830 GLS00853

    Expansion valved See Table 2 (below)

    DISCHARGE LINE

    Tube size (OD) 7/8 inch 7/8 inch 5/8 inch 7/8 inch 3/4 inch 5/8 inch 7/8 inch 7/8 inch

    Table 2. Recommendations for expansion valves and indoor check valves used in

    TTA/TWA applications when not paired with a TW E air handlera

    a Trane factory-installs the expansion valves for the indoor coil in a TWE air handler.

    Indoor coil capacityb

    b Choose an expansion valve that matches the tonnage of the coil distributor it serves.

    Recommended Trane part

    Expansion valvec

    c Provide and install one expansion valve per distributor.

    Indoor check valved

    d For TWA heat pumps, but only when paired with an indoor coil (not a TWE air handler); see Figure 6 (p. 11).

    3 tons VAL07364 VAL08459 for

    3/8-inch OD liquid line

    VAL08460 for

    1/2-inch OD liquid line

    5 tons VAL07074

    7.5 tons VAL07075

    10 tons VAL07076

    15 tons VAL02824

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    Overview

    SS-APG002-EN Tube Size and Component Selection for TTA and TWA Split Systems (7.520 Tons) 7

    The liquid-line sizes recommended in Table 1 optimize the tradeoff between

    pressure loss and refrigerant charge. These recommendations maximize the

    system operating envelope and provide a subcooling safety factor of 5F

    (2.7C).

    Effect on gas-line sizes

    Traditionally, gas lines were sized to maintain oil-entrainment velocities

    greater than 500 ft/min. (152 m/min.) in horizontal lines and 1000 ft/min.

    (305 m/min.) in vertical lines; andto limit pressure drops to not more than

    3 psi (20 kPa) in the suction line and 6 psi (40 kPa) in the discharge line.

    We now know that oil-entrainment velocity depends on line size and the

    saturated suction temperature. Although a maximum suction-line pressure

    drop of 3 psi (20 kPa) is a valid goal, the corresponding loss in capacity for

    matched Trane split systems is only about 3 percent, for an additional 3 psi(20 kPa).1 Pressure drop in the suction-turned-discharge line of a heat pump

    is of no consequence because the line is slightly oversized.

    Hot gas bypass in comfort-cooling applications

    When diminishing loads force a refrigeration system to operate at unstable

    conditions, compressor and evaporator capacities balance at ever lower

    suction pressures and temperatures. Unchecked, the eventual result is coil

    frosting and compressor flooding.

    Hot gas bypass (HGBP) can stabilize the system balance point by diverting

    hot, high-pressure refrigerant vapor from the discharge line directly to the

    low-pressure side of the system. This tactic keeps the compressor more fullyloaded while the evaporator satisfies the part-load condition. Also, the

    diverted vapor raises the suction temperature, which prevents frost from

    forming.

    For decades HGBP was applied in direct-expansion refrigerating systems to

    control capacity at low loads. It was probably conceived to correct a job-

    specific problem but was subsequently, and indiscriminately, added to HVAC

    systems as a preventive measure. HGBP hasprovided frost control and some

    semblance of capacity control in many applications. But in numerous cases,

    HGBP failed to safely stabilize the system. Worse still, the increased

    refrigerant charge and additional piping often led to insufficient oil return and

    refrigerant logging in the HGBP line, undermining reliable operation.

    Economically, HGBP increases the cost of the system and its installation.

    Hot gas bypass also uses large amounts of energy because it prevents the

    compressors from cycling off as the cooling load decreases.

    Evaporator defrost control (EDC) provides an effective alternative to HGBP.

    Like hot gas bypass, EDC protects the coil from freezing, but it does so by

    turning off compressors when frost is detected on the coil. The compressors

    1 In this case, a matched Trane split system pairs a TTA cooling-only unit or a TWA heat pump with a

    TWE air handler or a Trane indoor coil.

    For a further discussion of what hot gas

    bypass does and the inherent challenges

    of implementing it effectively, refer to

    the 2003 Engineers Newsletter, Hot GasBypass: Blessing or Curse? You can find

    it online at http://www.trane.com/

    commercial/library/vol32_2/

    adm_apn007_en_0503.pdf.

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    8 Tube Size and Component Selection for TTA and TWA Split Systems (7.5 20 Tons) SS-APG002-EN

    Overview

    are allowed to resume operation when the coil temperature rises sufficiently.

    The EDC strategy reduces the systems overall energy consumption while

    preventing the system from operating during coil-icing conditions.

    Only use hot gas bypass if all other design options fail to meet the demands

    of the application. Do NOT use hot gas bypass in heat pump applications.

    Heat pump reliability is particularly susceptible to improper refrigerant

    management.

    Equipment placement

    Minimize distance between components

    For a split air-conditioning system to perform as reliably and inexpensively as

    possible, the refrigerant charge must be kept to a minimum. To help

    accomplish this design goal:

    Site the outdoor unit (cooling-only condensing unit or heat pump) as

    close to the indoor unit as possible.

    Route each interconnecting refrigerant line by the shortest and most

    direct path so that line lengths and riser heights are no longer than

    absolutely necessary.

    Use only horizontal and vertical piping configurations.

    Determine whether the total length of each refrigerant line requires Trane

    review. Be sure to account for the difference in elevations of the indoor

    and outdoor unitswhen calculating the total line length.

    Interconnecting lines of 150 lineal feet (45.7 m) or less do not requireTrane review, but be sure to limit the length in risers.

    Allowable elevation difference

    An acceptable riser height represents the summation of all individual risers

    and is a function of the total line length.

    Outdoor unit above indoor unit. In this case the velocity of the refrigerant

    gas must be sufficient to force oil up the suction-gas riser in order to maintain

    proper oil movement during cooling operation. The gross height and line

    length for a heat pump in the heating modemust not cause a pressure drop

    sufficient to cause loss of subcooling. Figure 2 and Figure 3 show the

    allowable gross rise and run for TTA and TWA units, respectively. Systemdesigns outside the application envelopes defined in the charts require Trane

    review.

    Outdoor unit below indoor unit. In this case, the pressure drop and

    accompanying loss of subcooling due to the total liquid-line length and lift

    limits the allowable gross lift. The velocity of the refrigerant gas for a heat

    pump in the heating modemust be sufficient to force oil up the hot gas riser

    in order to maintain proper oil movement. Figure 4 shows the allowable

    gross rise and run for TTA and TWA units. System designs outside the

    application envelope defined in the chart require Trane review.

    Heat pump considerations

    Heat-pump systems switch from cooling

    to heating by reversing the direction of

    refrigerant flow. When the cooling

    suction line becomes the heating

    discharge line, what was a suction-line

    drop becomes a discharge-line rise.

    During heating, the refrigerant flow rate

    through the suction-turned-discharge

    line decreases due to reduced heating

    capacity and higher pressure in the line.

    It is important to account for this fact

    when sizing refrigerant piping for split

    heat-pump systems. Choose a line size

    that entrains oil in the refrigerant during

    cooling and heating. The line sizes

    specified in Table 1 (p. 6) enable proper

    oil entrainment during both modes

    within the piping limitations outlined in

    Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 4 (p. 9).

    Under normal circumstances, the liquid-

    line rise during cooling will restrict the

    discharge-line rise during heating.

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    Overview

    SS-APG002-EN Tube Size and Component Selection for TTA and TWA Split Systems (7.520 Tons) 9

    Figure 2. Allowable elevation difference: Cooling-only TTA above indoor unit

    Figure 3. Allowable elevation difference: TWA heat pump above indoor unit

    Figure 4. Allowable elevation difference: TTA or TWA be low indoor unit

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    10 Tube Size and Component Selection for TTA and TWA Split Systems (7.5 20 Tons) SS-APG002-EN

    Overview

    Liquid-line refrigerant management

    In applications where any part of the liquid line is above the indoor and/or

    outdoor unit (Figure 5), gravity will draw the liquid in that part of the line

    down toward the unit(s) below when the system turns off. Do not confuse

    this liquid flow with refrigerant migration. Crankcase heaters are installed on

    compressors to prevent migration, but these heaters are not sized to prevent

    refrigerant flow (due to gravity) from accumulating in the compressors. The

    amount of liquid refrigerant that flows into either the indoor or outdoor unit,

    while off, will determine the severity of liquid slugs and lubrication issues

    faced by the compressor when it starts.

    TWA heat pumps and TWE air handlers are equipped with valves that close

    to prevent off-cycle flow; these units do not require additional shutoff valves.

    However, TTA cooling-only units, when matched with indoor air handlers

    other than TWE models, mayrequire shutoff valves to manage liquidrefrigerant when the system is off. Type, use, and placement of these valves

    will depend on the gross line length andon the orientation of the liquid line

    with respect to the indoor and outdoor units.

    Liquid line above indoor unit. When using a non-TWE air handler or coil, use

    hard-shutoff thermal expansion valves (TXVs) at the indoor unit for both TTA

    and TWA applications; see Table 2 (p. 6) for recommendations. Heat pump

    (TWA) applications also will require a check valve at the indoor unit to handle

    reverse refrigerant flow during heating (Figure 6). TWE air handlers include

    hard-shutoff valves and check valves as standard, factory-provided

    components.

    Figure 5. Liquid line elevated above outdoor and/ or indoor units

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    Overview

    SS-APG002-EN Tube Size and Component Selection for TTA and TWA Split Systems (7.520 Tons) 11

    Liquid line above outdoor unit: Cooling-only applications. If 50 ft (15 m) or

    more of the liquid line is elevated above the cooling-only TTA unit (Figure 5),

    install a check valve in the liquid line where the line leaves the TTA (Figure 8

    and Figure 9, p. 15).

    Note: This check valve is factory-installed in TWA heat pumps to allow proper

    reverse flow of refrigerant.

    WARNING!Redundant Valves Can Cause Hazardous Pressures!

    Liquid refrigerant trapped between two valves can become highlypressurized if the ambient temperature increases. Do not add a liquid-line

    solenoid valve in a cooling-only system that is already equipped with a check

    valve. Failure to heed this precaution could result in a refrigerant-line rupture

    that causes death or serious injury.

    Figure 6. Placement of liquid-line check valves in TWA heat-pump applications

    when no t paired with a TW E air handler (single circuit shown in heating mode)

    Installation notes:

    1 Provide one thermal expansion valve

    (TXV) and one check valve for each

    indoor-coil distributor. See Table 1 (p. 6)

    for recommendations.

    2 For applications where the length of the

    liquid line exceeds 80 ft (24 m) and the

    heat pump will start in the cooling

    mode, remove the liquid-line filter

    driers from the TWA and install a

    new bidirectional filter drier at the

    indoor unit. See Table 1 (p. 6) for

    recommendations.

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    12 Tube Size and Component Selection for TTA and TWA Split Systems (7.5 20 Tons) SS-APG002-EN

    Tube Size andComponent Selection

    Liquid lines

    Line sizing

    Proper liquid-line sizing is critical to a successful application. The line

    diameter must provide at least 5F (2.7C) of subcooling at the expansion

    valve throughout the units operating envelope. Increasing the size of the

    liquid line will notincrease the available subcooling.

    Table 1 (p. 6) shows the recommended liquid-line sizing for each TTA/TWA

    model based on nominal capacity. Using the preselected line diameter will

    help to maintain the minimum required subcooling and minimize the system

    refrigerant charge.

    Note: The preselected line diameters in Table 1 are optimized for any

    acceptable length or rise of refrigerant piping.

    Routing

    Install the liquid line with a slight slope in the direction of flow (during

    cooling operation for heat pumps) so that it can be routed with the gas line.

    Route the lines as straight, horizontally and vertically, as possible. Avoid

    unnecessary changes of direction.

    Insulation

    To prevent the liquid refrigerant from flashing, insulate the liquid line if it

    passes through an area that is warmer than the line.

    Components

    Several field-supplied components (Table 1, p. 6) may be required in the

    liquid line: a filter drier, access port, check valve, moisture-indicating sight

    glass, and expansion valve(s). These devices must be arranged in the proper

    sequence; refer to the illustrations in Refrigerant Piping Examples (pp. 15

    20). Position the components as close to the indoor unit as possible, but with

    one notable exception: The liquid-line check valve used with TTA cooling-

    only units must be installed at the TTA.

    Filter drier. Each TTA or TWA is factory-equipped with liquid-line filter drier(s)

    to capture residual contaminants from the installation process. However, the

    presence of a filter drier is not a substitute for good brazing practices nor

    proper evacuation. Reliable operation demands careful attention to

    cleanliness during system installation.

    If the TTA/TWA will start in the cooling mode and if the gross line length

    exceeds 80 ft (24 m), remove the filter drier(s) from the outdoor unit and

    The video, Split System Refrigerant

    Piping Design (APP-APV009-EN),

    discusses the relationship between

    refrigerant-line sizing and subcooling in

    greater detail. For ordering information,

    visit www.trane.com/bookstore.

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    Tube Size and Component Selection

    SS-APG002-EN Tube Size and Component Selection for TTA and TWA Split Systems (7.520 Tons) 13

    install new filter drier(s) at the indoor unit. Note that heat-pump applications

    require a bidirectional filter drier.

    Access port. The access port enables refrigerant charging; it also provides a

    means for measuring the pressures that are used to calculate subcooling.

    Usually this port is a Schraeder valve with a core.

    Check valve. A check valve only allows refrigerant flow in one direction and

    does not require wiring. In cooling-only applications, if 50 ft (15 m) or more of

    the liquid line is elevated above the TTA, provide a check valve in the liquid

    line adjacent to the TTA. (This valve is factory-installed in TWA heat pumps.)

    For heat pumps paired with non-TWE air-handler coils, provide an individual

    check valve for each expansion valve to allow reverse flow around the TXV

    during heating. See Figure 6 (p. 11), Figure 10 (p. 16), and Figure 11 (p. 16) for

    examples of this valve combination.

    Moisture-indicating sight glass. Install one moisture-indicating sight glass in

    the main liquid line of each circuit to flag the presence of water.

    Note: The sole purpose of this sight glass is its moisture-indicating ability.

    Always use actual measurements of temperature and pressurenot the

    sight glassto determine subcooling and whether the system is properly

    charged.

    Expansion valve. The expansion valve is the throttling device that meters the

    refrigerant into the evaporator coil. Metering too much refrigerant floods the

    compressor too little elevates the compressor temperature.

    Each TWE air handler is factory-equipped with a correctly sized expansion

    valve. For TTA/TWA units paired with other indoor coils, provide an

    expansion valve for each coil distributor. Size the TXV to match the capacity

    of the distributor; see Table 2 (p. 6) for recommendations. Make sure that the

    expansion valve is externally equalized and balance-ported.

    Gas lines

    Line sizing

    Proper gas-line sizing is required to guarantee that the oil returns to the

    compressor throughout the systems operating envelope. At the same time,

    the line must be sized so that the pressure drop does not excessively affect

    capacity or efficiency.

    Table 1 (p. 6) lists preselected pipe diameters for TTA cooling-only units and

    TWA heat pumps in normal air-conditioning applications. Use the preselected

    pipe sizes for both horizontal andvertical runs.

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    Tube Size and Component Selection

    Routing

    Route the line as straight (horizontally and vertically) as possible. Avoid

    unnecessary changes of direction. To prevent any residual or condensed

    refrigerant from flowing freely toward the compressor, install the gas line so

    that it slopes by inch to 1 inch per 10 feet (1 cm per 3 m) toward the

    indoor coil.

    Do not install riser traps. With field-supplied air-handler coils, what appears

    to be a riser trap is located at the coil outlet; see Figure 7 for an example. This

    piping arrangement, which isnt a riser trap at all, results from two

    requirements:

    Drain the coil to a common low point

    Rise at least 1 ft (30 cm) from the common low point to prevent any

    off-cycle condensed refrigerant in the coil from attempting to flow tothe compressor.

    Note: Do not install double risers. All 7.5- through 20-ton TTA and TWA units

    unload such that a single gas line size, preselected in Table 1 (p. 6), provides

    sufficient velocity to push entrained oil up the permissible riser height.

    Avoid underground refrigerant lines, which make it virtually impossible to

    maintain proper cleanliness during installation. Refrigerant condensation,

    poor service access, and abrasion/corrosion can quickly impair the systems

    reliability.

    Insulation

    Always insulate the gas line to prevent the refrigerant vapor from cooling

    enough to condense during the heating mode (TWA heat pumps) and to

    prevent the line from sweating during the cooling mode (TTA andTWA

    applications).

    Components

    Adding a suction-line filter drier is unnecessaryprovided that good

    refrigeration practices (including nitrogen sweeping during brazing and

    proper system evacuation) are followed.

    Access port. Providing an access port in the gas line permits the servicer tocheck refrigerant pressure and determine superheat at the evaporator/indoor

    coil. Usually this port is a Schraeder valve with a core.

    Figure 7. Gas- ine arrangement at t e

    outlet of a field-supplied indoor coil

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    SS-APG002-EN Tube Size and Component Selection for TTA and TWA Split Systems (7.520 Tons) 15

    Refrigerant Piping Examples

    Figure 8.

    TTA cooling-only unit and

    TWE air handler (typical arrangement)

    Installation notes:

    1 Do not install this check valve unless

    50 ft (15 m) or more of the liquid line is

    elevated above the TTA.

    2 Never add a check valve and a solenoid

    valve to the same liquid line. (Increased

    temperature will cause any liquid

    refrigerant caught between these valves

    to become highly pressurized.)

    WARNING!

    Redundant Valves Can Cause

    Hazardous Pressures!

    Liquid refrigerant trapped betweentwo valves can become highlypressurized if the ambienttemperature increases. Do not add aliquid-line solenoid valve in a cooling-only system that is already equipped

    with a check valve. Failure to heed thisprecaution could result in arefrigerant-line rupture that causesdeath or serious injury.

    3 If the total length of the liquid line

    exceeds 80 ft (24 m), remove the liquid-

    line filter drier from the TTA and install a

    new one (Table 1, p. 6) at the TWE air

    handler.

    Figure 9.

    TTA cooling-only unit and matchedindoor coil (typical arrangement)

    Installation notes:

    1 Do not install this check valve unless

    50 ft (15 m) or more of the liquid line iselevated above the TTA.

    2 Never add a check valve and a solenoid

    valve to the same liquid line. Increased

    temperature will highly pressurize any

    liquid refrigerant caught between these

    valves.

    WARNING!

    Redundant Valves Can CauseHazardous Pressures!

    Liquid refrigerant trapped betweentwo valves can become highlypressurized with increased ambienttemperature. Do not add a liquid-linesolenoid valve in a cooling-onlysystem that is already equipped with acheck valve. Failure to heed thisprecaution could result in a

    refrigerant-line rupture that causes

    death or serious injury.

    3 If the total length of the liquid line

    exceeds 80 ft (24 m), remove the liquid-

    line filter drier from the TTA and install a

    new one (Table 1, p. 6) near the indoor

    coil.

    4 Provide one expansion valve (TXV) per

    distributor; see Table 2 (p. 6) for

    recommendations.

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    16 Tube Size and Component Selection for TTA and TWA Split Systems (7.5 20 Tons) SS-APG002-EN

    Refrigerant Piping Examples

    Figure 10.

    TWA heat pump and TWE air handler

    (typical arrangement show n in cooling

    mode)

    Installation note: For applications where

    the length of the liquid line exceeds 80 ft

    (24 m) and the heat pump will start in the

    cooling mode, remove the liquid-line filter

    driers from the TWA heat pump and install

    a new bidirectional filter drier (Table 1,

    p. 6) at the TWE air handler.

    Figure 11.

    TWA heat pump and matched indoor

    coil (typical arrangement shown in

    cooling mode)

    Installation notes:

    1 Each coil distributor requires one

    thermal expansion valve (TXV) and one

    check valve. See Table 2 (p. 6) for

    recommendations.

    2 For applications where the length of the

    liquid line exceeds 80 ft (24 m) and the

    heat pump will start in the cooling

    mode, remove the liquid-line filter driers

    from the TWA heat pump and install a

    new bidirectional filter drier (Table 1,

    p. 6) at the indoor unit.

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    Refrigerant Piping Examples

    SS-APG002-EN Tube Size and Component Selection for TTA and TWA Split Systems (7.520 Tons) 17

    Figure 12.

    Indoor coil w ith one distributor

    (single-circuit TTA/ TWA units)

    Installation notes:

    1 Pitch the liquid line 1 inch per 10 feet

    (1 cm per 3 m) so that the liquid

    refrigerant drains toward the indoor coil.

    Use the liquid-line size recommended in

    Table 1 (p. 6).

    2 Provide one expansion valve (TXV)

    per distributor.

    TWA heat pumps only: Provide one

    check valve for each expansion valve.

    3 Pitch the gas line leaving the coil so that

    it slopes away from the coil by 1 inch

    per 10 feet (1 cm per 3 m).

    4 Use the tube diameter recommended in

    Table 1 (p. 6). Assure that the top of the

    riser is at least 1 foot (30 cm) above the

    lowest point.

    5 Arrange the gas line so that suction gas

    leaving the coil flows downward, past

    the lowest gas-header outlet, before

    turning upward.

    6 Pitch the gas line 1 inch per 10 feet

    (1 cm per 3 m) toward the indoor coil.

    7 Insulate the gas line.

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    18 Tube Size and Component Selection for TTA and TWA Split Systems (7.5 20 Tons) SS-APG002-EN

    Refrigerant Piping Examples

    Figure 13.

    Indoor coil with tw o distributors

    (single-circuit TTA/ TWA units)

    Installation notes:

    1 Pitch the liquid line 1 inch per 10 feet

    (1 cm per 3 m) so that the liquid

    refrigerant drains toward the indoor coil.

    Use the liquid-line size recommended in

    Table 1 (p. 6).

    2 Provide one expansion valve (TXV)

    per distributor.

    TWA heat pumps only: Provide one

    check valve for each expansion valve.

    3 Pitch the gas line leaving the coil so that

    it slopes away from the coil by 1 inch

    per 10 feet (1 cm per 3 m).

    4 Arrange the gas line so that suction gas

    leaving the coil flows downward, past

    the lowest gas-header outlet, before

    turning upward. Use a double-elbow

    configuration on all lower branch circuits

    to isolate the TXV bulb from suction-

    header conditions.

    5 For all coil branch circuits in the gas

    line, use a tube diameter that is one

    size smaller than the gas-line size

    recommended in Table 1, p. 6.

    6 For vertical risers, use the tube

    diameter recommended in Table 1

    (p. 6). Assure that the top of the riser is

    at least 1 foot (30 cm) above the lowest

    point.

    7 Pitch the gas line by 1 inch per 10 feet(1 cm per 3 m) toward the indoor coil.

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    SS-APG002-EN Tube Size and Component Selection for TTA and TWA Split Systems (7.520 Tons) 19

    Figure 14.

    Indoor coil with tw o distributors

    (dual-circuit TTA/ TWA units)

    Installation notes:

    1 Pitch the liquid line 1 inch per 10 feet

    (1 cm per 3 m) so that the liquid

    refrigerant drains toward the indoor coil.

    Use the liquid-line size recommended in

    Table 1 (p. 6).

    2 Provide one expansion valve (TXV)

    per distributor.

    TWA heat pumps only: Provide one

    check valve for each expansion valve.

    3 Pitch the gas line leaving the coil so that

    it slopes away from the coil by 1 inch

    per 10 feet (1 cm per 3 m).

    4 Use the tube diameter recommended in

    Table 1 (p. 6). Assure that the top of the

    riser is at least 1 foot (30 cm) above the

    lowest point.

    5 Arrange the gas line so that suction gas

    leaving the coil flows downward, past

    the lowest gas-header outlet, before

    turning upward.

    6 Pitch the gas line 1 inch per 10 feet

    (1 cm per 3 m) toward the indoor coil.

    7 Insulate the gas line.

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    TraneA business of American Standard Companieswww.trane.com

    For more information, contact your local Traneoffice or e-mail us at [email protected]

    Literature Order Number SS-APG002-EN

    Date May 2005

    Supersedes (New)

    Stocking Location e-Library

    Trane has a policy of continuous product and product data improvement and reserves the right tochange design and specifications without notice.

    Refrigerant Piping Examples

    Figure 15.

    Indoor coil w ith four distributors

    (dual-circuit TTA/ TWA units)

    Installation notes:

    1 Pitch the liquid line 1 inch per 10 feet

    (1 cm per 3 m) so that the liquid

    refrigerant drains toward the indoor coil.

    Use the liquid-line size recommended in

    Table 1 (p. 6).

    2 Provide one expansion valve (TXV)

    per distributor.

    TWA heat pumps only: Provide one

    check valve for each expansion valve

    (see inset).

    3 Pitch the gas line leaving the coil so that

    it slopes away from the coil by 1 inch per

    10 feet (1 cm per 3 m).

    4 Arrange the gas line so that suction gas

    leaving the coil flows downward, past

    the lowest gas-header outlet, before

    turning upward. Use a double-elbow

    configuration on all lower branch circuits

    to isolate the TXV bulb from suction-

    header conditions.

    5 For all coil branch circuits in the gas line,

    use a tube diameter that is one size

    smaller than the gas-line size

    recommended in Table 1 (p. 6).

    6 For vertical risers, use the tube diameter

    recommended in Table 1 (p. 6). Assure

    that the top of the riser is at least 1 foot

    (30 cm) above the lowest point.

    7 Pitch the gas line by 1 inch per 10 feet

    (1 cm per 3 m) toward the indoor coil.

    8 Insulate the gas line.