Outdoor unit of air conditioner: installation and operation

Speech in this article will go about the outdoor unit. The indoor unit of the air conditioner is known to be located indoors. It is the second component of the split system.

The principle of operation of such a device, as an outdoor unit of the air conditioner, is based on the absorption of heat during evaporation and its release during condensation. The system, as a rule, is filled with freon. When the unit is operating for cooling, the liquid begins to circulate through the indoor unit, after which it evaporates and then precipitates in the outer part.

To heat the room, the refrigerant evaporates in the external module, and it settles as a condensate inside.

With the help of the compressor, the coolant passes from one state to another by creating a difference in pressure in the apparatus. At the same time, the electric power system is transferred three times more. What is in this case equipped with air conditioning? External units of split-systems are supplemented by internal design.

Design features of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner

For example, take the air conditioners split, the outdoor unit of which consists of several parts:

• Compressor. Its function includes compression of freon and maintenance of its movement along the refrigeration circuit. At the heart of the compressor can be a piston or a scroll-type spiral. Piston models are not so expensive, but they have less reliability, especially at low outside temperatures.
• Four-way valve, which is mounted in reversible models of air conditioners (modes of heat and cold). In the heating mode, this valve changes the direction of receipt of freon. In this case, the indoor and outdoor units, as it were, change their functions: the indoor unit provides heating, and outdoor cooling.
• Control board. This part is only present in units of inverter type. In other configurations, all electronics are located in the indoor unit, as temperature and humidity changes can disable the operation of electronic components.
• A fan that delivers the airflow that blows the condenser. In models of a cheap segment, it has a single rotational speed. Such an aggregate operates stably in a single temperature range coming from outside. In expensive models, the fan speed is designed for a wide range of temperatures. The fan, as a rule, has 2-3 modes of speed and smoothness of their regulation.
• Radiator. It provides cooling and condensation of Freon. The air stream blown in the condenser is heated.
• The filter of the freon system. The part is located in front of the compressor unit and protects it from copper chips and other small particles that can get into the air conditioner when it is mounted. If the installation is performed unskilled, and in the course of work the device gets an excessive amount of dirt, then the filter in this case will be powerless.
• Connections on the fittings. They are connected with copper pipes, which serve as connections for the outdoor and indoor units.
• Quick release cover for protection. It closes the connections on the fittings and the terminal strip. The latter is used to connect electrical cables. In some configurations, the protective cover covers only the terminal strip, the connections on the fittings are located on the outside.

Installation of a split system

Annually in our country a lot of household wall, ceiling and window split systems are purchased. Large companies, in addition to sales of units, offer services for their installation. It should be noted that the installation has its own nuances, non-observance of which leads to a malfunction in the unit.

Basic Installation Rules

Many are wondering how to install the outdoor unit of the air conditioner correctly.

• First, the main point. The outdoor unit of the split system must be installed in the outer part of the dwelling, which will provide access to the radiator for cooling open air. This means that if the unit is installed on a glazed balcony, the owner of the air conditioner must make sure that there is a window there. It will ensure air intake during the operation of the unit. If the device is subjected to cooling in an enclosed space, it will lead to its overheating. While a new temperature sensor is functioning, it will notify the automatic shutdown of the air conditioner until the outdoor unit is cooled. At high temperature, the device will only be able to function for 5 minutes, and it will take half an hour to cool down. If the temperature sensor fails, the outdoor unit will simply overheat and burn. Repair of the unit in this case will not be expensive. Sometimes it is even more profitable to buy a new air conditioner.
• The second essential point. For the diagnosis of the split system, there is also a need to refill the device with a refrigerant. The maintenance master should have unobstructed access to the valves that are located on the side of the outdoor unit (usually on the left side). The valves are closed with plastic caps. If you can not reach the valves, you will have to call a professional climber.
• The outdoor unit of the air conditioner should not run noisily at night. The maximum permissible value is 32 dB.
• It is necessary to organize the optimal drainage of condensate, so that it does not get on the walls of the building, the visor of the entrance and passers-by.
• Be sure to take into account the fortress walls. The wall must withstand a load of several tens of kilograms. Contraindicated the attachment of the unit to walls based on aerated concrete, to the outer lining of the dwelling and to the warming layer.
• Brackets with a block should be provided with the most reliable base and fastening.
• To avoid overheating of the compressor, the minimum distance from the wall to the outdoor unit should be at least 10 cm. Nothing should prevent normal blowing.
• Categorically not allowed a large number of bends of the pipeline from copper, as the breaks prevent the full pumping of freon by the compressor.
• The maximum length of the pipeline between modules of the split system should not be higher than the length specified by the manufacturer. Otherwise, the level of performance is noticeably reduced.
• Do not directly hit the sun on the rear of the unit. Therefore, there should not be a very long distance from the outer wall to the outer block.
• It is desirable to provide protection from moisture penetration.

Compliance with the installation of all existing rules will allow the unit to function for a long time without fail.

Selecting the location of the outdoor unit

With standard installation, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is fixed under the window slightly below the level of the window sill or to the side of the window, without affecting the neighbors' neighbors.

There are also not very common options for the location of an external device. If allowable length of the route and elevation allow, the installation is carried out on the roof or in the attic.

Many carry out the installation of outdoor units of air conditioners on the front of the balcony or loggia. Can be installed inside them, provided there is no glazing.

Those who live in private houses or on the ground floor often install the unit under the loggia, thereby protecting it from the adverse effects of rainfall and without disturbing the external appearance of the structure.

With particular interest should be to install an external unit in the basement. Such a project is possible with increased track dimensions and a difference in altitude. If there is heating in the basement, the air conditioner will provide not only cooling, but also warming up during frosty days.

To this end, it is not at all necessary to resort to installing a winter kit on the device or to purchase a system with a wide temperature range, since the outdoor unit of the air conditioner installed in the basement will not be exposed to very low temperatures. The main thing in this case is to ensure normal air circulation in order to avoid overheating of the heat exchanger.

In the summer in the basement is cool, so here there is a pole. At this position, the operation of the external module will have a high efficiency factor, since the air in the basement is colder than the street one.

On what should be mounted outdoor unit

When installing, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner must be fixed. The standard form of attachment involves the use of brackets, which consist of two welded strips. They are produced, as a rule, from an ordinary profile with a different section. They are equipped with two holes for fixing the air conditioner itself. Such elements can withstand heavy loads exceeding the weight of the middle block by several times.

Air conditioners, located on stands

Installation of outdoor units of air conditioners on the roof, floor or ground assumes the use of special supports for the outdoor unit of the unit. They are made of metal, which is powder coated. To the surface of the stand are attached by means of welded holes (facade fasteners on the frame). They have sliding slats, adjusted to any size of the unit. Usually the stand can carry more than 250 kg, which is the weight of a very large air conditioning unit for industrial use.

Repair work

As a rule, the failure of the outdoor unit is caused by the failure of the mechanics of the device or its electronic system.

In the first group you can turn on the malfunction of the refrigeration module, and the second one - malfunctions in the operation of the control card and the violation in the electrical circuit.

Mechanical breakdowns

These include the following faults:

• The outdoor unit of the air conditioner froze;
• There appeared uncharacteristic noise and vibration;
• The blowing of the heat exchanger does not take place sufficiently;
• On the boards there were oil stains.

There are other reasons for the freezing of the outdoor unit, and this happens not only in the winter period, but also in the summer.

The system may contain an excessive amount of refrigerant, air or moisture. Probably, the capillary tubes were clogged or the device needs preventive cleaning (filters are replaced, the panels of both units are washed, the dirty deposit is removed from the fan and the heat exchanger).

Often there is an irregular length of copper piping. There may also be a shortage or a high content of freon.

Problems with Electronics

An equally serious problem is the failure of the management board. Usually it is indicated by special codes and LED lamps. They are installed on the body of the indoor unit.

When the board burns, the outdoor unit may start to smoke. Although this phenomenon, as a rule, indicates the burnout of an electric motor, a compressor or a fan. If the outdoor unit smokes during heating during the winter period, this may be a signal of not deflagging, but of defrosting the heat exchanger. In this case steam can be used for the smoke.

Regardless of the complexity of the breakdown, you must immediately disconnect the appliance from the power supply and contact the repair service.

Models of outdoor units

Models of outdoor units are represented by different companies. In the segment there are devices of various sizes and capacities. Each unit has its own technological features. The size of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner can also be different. For example, consider two models from different manufacturers.

Model Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-8B140VA

The outdoor unit of the Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-8B140VA air conditioner is produced by the world famous Japanese company. It is designed for cooling and heating of air in rooms, the area of which is 140 square meters. M. This is the outdoor unit of the multi-zone air conditioning system with inverter-type regulation. The unit has a high level of performance.

Indoor units in this configuration operate in an independent mode, with the exception of simultaneous operation during cooling and heating.

System Features

The outdoor unit of Mitsubishi air conditioner has:

• Cooling mode;
• Drainage;
• Air ventilation;
• Mode on an automatic basis.

The outdoor unit has a modern, elegant design.

The module can serve from 2 to 8 indoor units of various configurations, which form the basis of a multi-zone split system.

Inverter regulation of performance serves as a guarantee of rapid output of the unit to the desired mode and subsequent slowing down of the compressor rotation speed. This makes it possible to save electricity without degrading the performance of the unit.

The device is inherently low noise and vibration. It uses optimized stabilizers, which ensure a uniform and smooth distribution of air masses. This makes it possible to negate the contact of air with the fan, and, consequently, to reduce noise during operation.

The air conditioner has a high level of efficiency when operating in the cooling mode. This function is applicable for special conditions of use. For example, to cool the room in winter.

The main indicator of the unit is its high level of energy efficiency, achieved by smooth regulation of the heat exchanger operation.

Model outdoor unit from the manufacturer Daikin

The outdoor unit of Daikin air conditioner has proved itself in the market as a quality device.

It has the following characteristics:

• The external module Daikin RXYQ-T has a special scheme for controlling the refrigerant temperature, which ensures that the VRV is individually adjusted. This provides maximum convenience, and also enhances seasonal efficiency.
• The use of variable refrigerant temperature indicators makes it possible to increase the seasonal efficiency to 28%.
• A high level of comfort, the absence of cold drafts at low air temperature at the outlet is provided by the use of variable refrigerant temperature and inverter technology.
• The VRV configuration device performs fine tuning and commissioning.
• The integrated circuit in the room temperature regulation system ensures the arrival of fresh air. The system is also distinguished by a very simple installation, automatic filling and testing.
• The presence of the display on the outdoor unit allows you to get information about possible malfunctions in the operation of the unit, check its parameters and functionality.
• A high static pressure rating makes it possible to mount the outdoor unit indoors.
• A wide segment of outdoor units makes it possible to connect stylish blocks of household series Daikin Emura, Nexura, etc.
• The flexibility of installing the system is provided by the length of the traces (the maximum value of the sum is up to 1000 m).
• The height difference between the internal modules is increased to 30 m, which makes the scope of the unit wider.
• The system is put into operation step by step.