Understanding Superheat

Ever walked past an old Temperzone unit purring away that was built when Muldoon and Fraser were PM’s and thought…they don’t make em like that anymore? Truth is nowadays the technology is far superior to that of old. The issue could be to do with setup and understanding of the refrigeration cycle, particularly when it comes to superheat. This article is to help technicians to better understand what superheat is and how simple it is to check, but most importantly, to understand its purpose.

Checking superheat is as easy as adjusting superheat which should be done on all refrigeration systems.

The compressor's lifespan! If the superheat is set right then there is no reason why the compressor won’t run for twenty or more years. If it’s not set right and is flooding or starving excessively, then expect as little as a year or two before failure. The compressor needs the correct amount of returning refrigerant to keep its motor windings at the correct temperature and most importantly its oil at an optimum.

High Superheat (starving)

In this scenario, the compressor will get too hot causing its sump oil to overheat, slowly break down and lose its viscosity (lubricating effect). If you don’t have the correct lubricating effect, the compressor bearing will wear and eventually seize.

Low Superheat (flooding)

In this scenario, there is too much refrigerant coming back. Some say that these new scroll compressors can withstand liquid flooding which they can, but it’s the oil that can’t. What happens is the sump oil becomes diluted with the refrigerant and loses its viscosity (lubricating effect). If you don’t have the correct lubricating effect, the compressor bearing will wear and eventually seize.

There is an article on this topic that you can view here:  Applications Notice 02/02

It is preferred to set superheat in cooling cycle when the indoor return air temperature is just above set point e.g 23ºC plus or minus a couple of degrees. But sometimes this is not possible due to the variable temperatures and conditions during the winter months. So you may have no choice but to set the superheat during a heat cycle. (Make sure you revisit the system again in early summer to re-check).

The target superheat temperature is generally 3ºC to 6ºC (4ºC to 6ºC for  systems with EEV’s).

If the R410A units low pressure was 110 psi (755 kPa) and the suction pipe temperature was 12ºC then:

110 psi (755 kPa) converted to temperature is 2ºC, so we then subtract 2 from the 12º pipe temperature which results in a superheat of 10ºC; indicating in this case it’s a little high and requires lowering.

If the R22 units low pressure was 55psi (380kpa) and the suction pipe temperature was 4ºC then:

55 psi (380 kPa) converted to temperature is -1ºC, so the difference between this -1 and the 4º pipe temperature is a superheat of 5ºC; indicating in this case it is OK.

Systems with:-

Wind the valve stem OUT to increase, or wind it IN to decrease, then wait approx ten minutes for it to settle before rechecking.

Add refrigerant to decrease, or remove refrigerant to increase, then wait approx. ten minutes for the system to settle before rechecking.

Electronic expansion valves can only be adjusted by changing their internal program parameters which are usually factory set and chances are the problem is lack of system refrigerant or a fault elsewhere.

There are many influences associated with superheat like evaporator airflow, evaporator return and supply air temperatures, and condensing temperature. If you’re unsure, don’t hesitate to contact your temperzone Technical Service Engineers.

Compressor Discharge Pipe Temperature (hot gas)

The compressor discharge pipe temperature is in direct relationship to the superheat. A ball park figure that I have found (cross reference only) is that this temperature on a scroll compressor is usually 60ºC to mid-70ºC when the superheat is acceptable and the operating conditions are normal. 

As a crude rule of thumb, you will find that if the discharge pipe is cool enough to hold your hand on then you can almost guarantee that the refrigerant is flooding back (0ºC superheat). If it’s too hot to touch then its superheat is probably too high (starving). You should be able to touch the compressor discharge pipe for about half a second before the heat is unbearable. Next time you set the superheat, measure the discharge temperature and after a few settings you should see a pattern emerge.

Before closing I have a tip on another subject that could save you a lot of time. When you’re about to start the process of changing a single phase compressor that has been diagnosed to have a locked rotor, change the capacitor and give it another try! You’ll be surprised how many compressors miraculously burst back into life.

One of the great things about learning is that you never stop, so if you’re not quite sure about anything written above or have any questions then contact your Technical Service Engineers at temperzone where we’ll be only to happy to help you out.

By Shane McBride

temperzone Queensland Branch Manager