A guide to

R410A
The
Natural
Choice
Contents >>
2 The facts on R410A refrigerant
4 A brief history of refrigerant
6 R410A in detail
8 Ensure correct system evacuation
11 When using copper pipework
12 The right tools
15 Summary

>>
The

facts
on R410A refrigerant
With more manufacturers introducing systems that use
R410A refrigerant, we’ve produced this booklet to explain
the hype that currently surrounds R410A and to present you
with the facts.
Handled correctly, many installers have already realised that R410A refrigerant
has some excellent benefits to offer. However, it’s being portrayed within
the industry as potentially dangerous to use or, it’s being labelled as the only
efficient refrigerant that’s available - which simply isn’t true.

Whilst R410A can provide some small advantages in efficiency, it is

technology itself that is the largest contributor towards the steady increase
in ever important COP’s. A good comparison can be made with cars and
fuel for example: The fact that a car can provide more miles per gallon
today than say, fives years ago, is due to technological advances in the car
rather than the fuel.

The same is true of direct expansion systems, with the need to focus on
efficiency as a whole, not simply the type of refrigerant. How the refrigerant
is used is of paramount importance and good system installation is crucial.
The skills required today, are no different to those that
have always been required and although the
equipment and subsequent numbers may
differ, the need for good practice remains
the same.

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R410A refrigerant
has some excellent
benefits to offer

This guide aims to provide you with

a better understanding of R410A and to
subsequently improve your effectiveness
in today’s air conditioning industry.

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A brief
histor y
Since 1985 it’s been well documented that
the ozone layer surrounding the earth
has been diminishing. Scientific evidence
suggests man-made chemicals are
responsible for creating the hole in the
ozone layer and that they’re likely to add
to global ozone depletion.

Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) have been

used in many products which take advantages of
their physical proper ties. For example, Chloro
Fluoro Carbons (CFC’s), have commonly been
used as aerosol propellants and refrigerants.

However, since highlighting that the chlorine in

CFC’s attributes to the demise of the ozone layer,
the ‘Montreal protocol on substances that deplete
the ozone layer’ was negotiated and signed by
24 countries and the European Union in 1987.
The protocol calls for all parties to scale down the
use of CFC’s, halons and other man-made ODS.

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of refr iger ant
R22 is a Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)
As a result of legislation R22 refrigerant (an HCFC), has been virtually phased out
in all new equipment. The air conditioning industry now uses (HFC) as it has no
chlorine content and zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP).

R410A is a Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)

Systems using R410A refrigerant run at a pressure of approximately 1.6 times that
of similar systems using R22 and the energy efficiency is comparable. The R410A
refrigerant is a 50:50 mixture of R32 and R125. It has a higher direct Global Warming
Potential (GWP) than R22 or R407c, but a much lower indirect GWP (CO2
production at power station).

R407c is a Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)

R407c is a mix of three refrigerants: R32, R125 and R134a - all of which boil at a
different temperature. R407c has a range or glide of approximately 5°C compared
with R410A which has less than 0.17K. In R407c, R32 provides the capacity,
R125 controls the flammability and R134a reduces the pressure.

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R410A in detail

R410A is a Zeotropic blend of two refrigerants

R32 50% R125 50%
The phase change of R410A Pressure Sub-Cooling 1 - Compression
mixtures takes place at [bar]
2 - Condenser
an almost constant temperature 2
3 - Expansion
- Evaporation
during the liquefaction or 4

evaporation process.
1
3

The temperature glide

for R410A is less than 0.17K. Po

Enthalpy
Superheat [kJ/kg]

Refrigerant Volumic Refrigerating Effect KJ/m3

R410A 6725
R407C 4688
R22 4358

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R410A has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)
With the relatively high density and high efficiency of R410A , it is possible to reduce
the size of system components such as condensers, compressors, evaporators and
piping, etc. As operating pressures are higher compared to that of R22 and R407c,
all system components must all be designed for suitability with R410A.

R22 R410A
Suction 60psi (4 bar) 90 to 105 psi (6 to 7 bar)
Discharge 260psi (17 bar) 350 to 400 psi (23 to 28 bar)

When installing equipment using R410A refrigerant, there are a number of standards
that must be met:

> An ester oil is used for R410A (as with R407c)

> It’s important to work with absolute cleanliness
> Brazing must be done with the use of Nitrogen (OFN)
> The system must be evacuated thoroughly (triple evacuation)
> A strength test in accordance with BS EN378 must be carried out
> The system must always be charged in the liquid phase

The EN378 European Standard

EN378 is the European Standard which governs the design and installation of all
air conditioning systems. Superceding BS4434, one element of EN378 is the
practical limit of refrigerant leakage into an occupied space. For category A
buildings such as schools, hotels and hospitals for example, the limit relating to
R407c is 310g per m3 of occupied space, and 440g per m3 for R410A.
The current standard for R407c does not preclude the use of VRF in any category
A building.

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Ensure correct
system evacuation
To ensure problem-free operation of any air-conditioning system, it is
crucial to carry out thorough evacuation of the system. During the
evacuation any moisture is removed from all of the system components
and the pipework.

The importance of thorough evacuation

It is vitally important to thoroughly evacuate any refrigeration system in
order to prevent the following harmful effects:

> Any non-condensible product left in the system can cause the
pressure in the condenser to increase and in turn, the
compression temperature to rise.

> Moisture will result in adverse reactions in the refrigerant circuit.

> The polyester oils used in the R410A refrigeration systems are
hydroscopic, which means that they absorb moisture from the air.
To prevent chemical reactions in the system, any moisture must
be removed at all costs.

> Oxygen (air) reacts with the refrigeration unit oil and can lead
to faults such as compressor failure.

To be able to remove moisture from the system it must be evaporated.

The pressure in the pipework must be reduced to such an extent that the
ambient temperature is sufficient to evaporate the moisture.

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Essential tips for good evacuation
Before evacuating a system, it is essential to check for any potential leaks. Such leaks
may be discovered at brazed or flared joints. Evacuation can only start once the system
has been properly pressure tested and found to be completely leakproof.

Leak Testing
in 3 easy steps
Step 1 3.0 bar (N2) - Test for a minimum of 3 minutes

Step 2 15.0 bar (N2) - Test for a minimum of 3 minutes

Step 3 33.3 bar (N2) - Test for a minimum of 24 hours (if using R410A)

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Tr iple evacuation
in 6 easy steps
Step 1 Evacuate the system to 10 ‘Torr’ from both service valves.
To measure the vacuum a ‘Torr gauge’ must be used at
all times - do not use a system manifold gauge

Step 2 Break the vacuum with OFN to 1 bar

Step 3 Evacuate to 5 ‘Torr’

Step 4 Repeat Step 2

Step 5 Evacuate to the lowest pressure that the pump will achieve
(2 ‘Torr’ for 1 hour minimum)

Step 6 The rise test must then be carried out for a minimum of 30 minutes

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When using
copper
pipework
> Use only copper pipes with the correct wall thickness -
please refer to your usual copper pipe supplier for detail

> Make sure you cut the copper pipe with a proper pipe cutter only

> Remove any burrs with the utmost care

> Make sure that no swarf or other impurities get into the piping

> When brazing make sure that Nitrogen (OFN) is used at all times

> Brazed joints must be bare and clean

The impor tance of correct brazing

Brazed joints should only be made using Nitrogen
(OFN) as without it carbon deposits are left on the
pipe surface. The carbon deposits are then washed
off of the surface of the pipe when the refrigerant
is circulated and it then travels with the
refrigerant.

Carbon deposits can cause the refrigerant

and refrigeration unit oil to decompose.
This is likely to result in operation
defects and warranty will become null
and void.

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The right tools
The right tools are required in to enable the
refrigeration system to be properly
evacuated and dried.
These include:
> R410A Manifold Gauges
> Flaring Tool
> Torque Wrench
> Vacuum Pump
> Refrigerant Weighing Scales

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 R410A Refrigerant Manifold
A solid manifold gauge specifically used
for R410A.

Manifold gauges with sight gauges

should never be used due to the higher
operating pressures, unless specified
for use on R410A.

Nitrogen Pressure Gauge (up to 160 bar)

A higher range Nitrogen Regulator
must be used due to the higher
pressure testing requirements
when strength testing to conform
with BS EN378.

Torr Gauge
A Torr gauge to be used to provide an
accurate evacuation level required.

Vacuum Pump
A Vacuum pump of sufficient quality and
working order to be used to pull the
correct vacuum to negate any moisture
being present in the system (pump oil
needs to be regularly changed).

The pressure gauge

*The refrigerant manifold gauges are not suitable for measuring vacuum.

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 Flaring Tool
A suitable Flaring tool to be used so as
not to compromise the integrity of the
copper when flared.

Torque Spanners
Torque spanners must be used at all
times to tighten flares in accordance with
manufacturers guidelines.

Oxygen free nitrogen for brazing

OFN to be used at all times during
brazing to prevent oxidation within the
copper pipework.

Oxygen free nitrogen for strength and leak test

OFN to be used for strength and leak
testing with the higher pressure regulator.

Refrigerant charging weighing scales

Any additional refrigerant required for
the installed system must be weighed in
the liquid phase using charging scales.

Suitable vacuum measuring gauges

To determine accurately the pressure in the system and whether the desired vacuum has been
attained, a vacuum or torr meter is indispensable. A professional evacuation requires such
an instrument.

Page 14
Summar y >>
To get the best from R410A
> Use the correct tools
> Adhering to BS EN378
> Strength test to 1.3 x Ps (43 bar)
> Leak test to 1.0 x Ps (33 bar)
> Observe regulations (Health & Safety at work, pressure equipment etc.)
> Use correct copper pipework with appropriate wall thickness
> Follow good working practice at all times (Nitrogen brazing, proper evacuation, etc.)

The benefits of working with R410A

> Higher pressures
> More efficient
> Smaller pipe diameters
> Lower refrigerant charge
> Small system size per kW
> Higher heat transfer coefficient
> Very small temperature glide <0.17k
> HFC zeotropic mixture of HFC-32 and HFC-125
> High pressure - narrow glide
> Hydrofluorocarbon blend with zero ODP
> Lower indirect global warming potential (CO2 production at power station)
than R22 and R407c

If you follow the guidelines contained within and carry out good refrigeration
practices at all times, then working with R410A will be no different from working with
previous refrigerants.

Know it and use it!

Page 15
All text, illustrations, diagrams and examples in this
guide are only intended to help with the handling
and proper use of the refrigerant R410A. The
information contained in this brochure has been
carefully researched and checked and is considered
correct at time of going to press.

Should you have any further queries regarding

installation and operation of the equipment
described in this guide, please contact us at:

Mitsubishi Electric Europe

Air Conditioning Systems Division
Travellers Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, AL10 8XB

Tel: 04 560 9100

Fax: 04 560 9130

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