Pipe Installation - 2; Vacuum Process - Rheem Classic Plus Série Manuel D'installation

6. PIPE INSTALLATION - 2

6. 1. Vacuum process

Always use a vacuum pump to purge the air.
Refrigerant for purging the air is not charged in the outdoor unit at the factory.
Refrigerant must not be discharged into atmosphere.
Use a vacuum pump, gauge manifold and charge hose for R410A exclusively. Using
the same vacuum for different refrigerants may damage the vacuum pump or the unit.
After connecting the piping, check the joints for gas leakage with gas leak detector or
soapy water.
6. 1. 1. Checking gas leakage and purging air
Gas leak checks are performed using either vacuum or nitrogen gas, so select the
proper one depending on the situation.
Checking gas leaks with vacuum:
(1) Check if the piping connections are secure.
(2) Remove the cap of 3-way valve, and connect the gauge manifold charge hoses to
the charging port of the 3-way valve.
(3) Open the valve of the gauge manifold fully.
(4) Operate the vacuum pump and start pump down.
(5) Check that the compound pressure gauge reads 500 microns (-0.1 MPa), operate the
vacuum pump for 30 minutes or more in each valve.
(6) At the end of pump down, close the valve of the gauge manifold fully and stop the
vacuum pump.
(It checks that leave as it is for about 10 minutes, and a needle does not return.)
(7) Disconnect the charge hose from the 3-way valve charging port.
(8) Remove the blank caps, and fully open the spindles of the 2-way and 3-way valves
with a hexagon wrench.
[torque: 4.4 to 5.2 lbf·ft (6 to 7 N·m)].
(9) Tighten the blank caps and charging port cap of the 2-way valve and 3-way valve to
the specifi ed torque.
Checking gas leaks with nitrogen gas:
(1) Check if the piping connections are secure.
(2) Remove the cap of 3-way valve, and connect the gauge manifold charge hoses to
the charging port of the 3-way valve.
(3) Pressurize with nitrogen gas using the 3-way valve charging port.
(4) Do not pressurize up to the specifi ed pressure all at once but do so gradually.
1 Increase the pressure up to 73 psi (0.5 MPa), let it sit for about 5 minutes and
then check for any decrease in pressure.
2 Increase the pressure up to 218 psi (1.5 MPa), let it sit for about 5 minutes
and then check for any decrease in pressure.
3 Increase the pressure up to the specifi ed pressure (the pressure designed for the
product) and then make a note of it.
(5) Let it sit at the specifi ed pressure and if there is no decrease in pressure then it is
satisfactory. If a pressure decrease is confi rmed, there is a leak, so it is necessary to
specify the leak location and make minor adjustments.
(6) Discharge the nitrogen gas and starting removing the gas with a vacuum pump.
(7) Open the valve of the gauge manifold fully.
(8) Operate the vacuum pump and start pump down.
(9) Check that the compound pressure gauge reads 500 microns (-0.1 MPa), operate the
vacuum pump for 30 minutes or more in each valve.
(10) At the end of pump down, close the valve of the gauge manifold fully and stop the
vacuum pump.
(11) Disconnect the charge hose from the 3-way valve charging port.
(12) Remove the blank caps, and fully open the spindles of the 2-way and 3-way valves
with a hexagon wrench.
[torque: 4.4 to 5.2 lbf·ft (6 to 7 N·m)].
(13) Tighten the blank caps and charging port cap of the 2-way valve and 3-way valve to
the specifi ed torque.
Flare nut [in. (mm)]
1/4 (6.35)
3/8 (9.52)
Blank cap
1/2 (12.70)
5/8 (15.88)
3/4 (19.05)
Charging port cap
En-11
CAUTION
Tightening torque [lbf·ft (N·m)]
14.8 to 18.4 (20 to 25)
14.8 to 18.4 (20 to 25)
18.4 to 22.1 (25 to 30)
22.1 to 25.8 (30 to 35)
25.8 to 29.5 (35 to 40)
7.4 to 8.8 (10 to 12)
Hexagon wrench
Charging port
Service hose
with valve core
Service hose
with valve core
Service hose
with valve core
Gauge manifold
Lo
Hi
Charge hose
Do not purge the air with refrigerants, but use a vacuum pump to vacuum the installa-
tion! There is no extra refrigerant in the outdoor unit for air purging!
Use a vacuum pump and gauge manifold and charging hose for R410A exclusively.
Using the same vacuum for different refrigerants may damage the vacuum pump or
the unit.
Blank cap
Spindle
Cap
Vacuum pump
3 places
CAUTION