How to Choose the Right Insulated Copper Pipe Length When Installing Air Conditioners?

Air conditioners have gradually become an indispensable part of people's daily lives. In addition to the unique quality of the equipment itself, the importance of the connection between insulated copper pipes and air conditioners is also self-evident to ensure the long-term and stable operation of air conditioning systems such as wall-mounted split units, cabinet units, and central air conditioning.

What is Air Conditioning Insulated Copper Pipe?

The refrigerant system pipeline is what we commonly refer to as insulated copper pipes. But why choose insulated copper pipes for the refrigerant system pipeline? As we all know, due to the corrosive nature of the refrigerant itself, it is not possible to use PPR, PEX, and other rubber plastic pipes. The final choices are limited to steel pipes, aluminum pipes, or copper pipes.

Definition: Insulated Copper pipes are commonly used in the form of pure copper (industrial pure copper) and brass (copper-zinc alloy), and are divided into drawn tubes, rolled tubes, and extruded tubes according to different manufacturing methods. Drawn tubes are typically used for medium and low-pressure pipelines. 

(the picture originates from the internet)

The Role of Air Conditioning Insulated Copper Pipes

1. The insulated copper pipe of an air conditioner is actually the one that connects the indoor unit with the outdoor unit, allowing it to connect with the fittings of the indoor and outdoor units, and enabling the insulated copper pipe to connect through the refrigerant, that is, Freon.

2. In this mode, when the indoor unit absorbs heat from the room, the heat is conducted to the outdoor unit through the insulated copper pipe, and then expelled outside by the outdoor unit's fan.

A warm reminder: As the Freon fragments pass through the air conditioning insulated copper pipe, when the compressor enters the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit, the fan starts to rotate and initiates the heat release process, where the air conditioning insulated copper pipe plays its role.

How to Choose the Right Insulated Copper Pipe Length

The basic principle of air conditioning insulated copper pipe configuration is to ensure the flow and pressure of the refrigerant in the insulated copper pipe to achieve the best cooling effect. Therefore, the diameter and length of the insulated copper pipe are important factors affecting the flow and pressure of the refrigerant. So, how do you choose the right insulated copper pipe length?

1. Choose the pipe length according to the air conditioner's cooling capacity. The cooling capacity of the air conditioner is one of the key standards for choosing the right pipe length. Generally speaking, the larger the cooling capacity, the longer the required pipe length. The common cooling capacities and corresponding pipe lengths are as follows: 1.5P (within 15 meters), 2P (within 20 meters), 3P (within 25 meters), 5P (within 30 meters).

2. Choose the pipe length according to the type of refrigerant. Different refrigerants have different requirements for pipe length. Common refrigerants include R22 and R410A. The pipe lengths are as follows: R22 (within 15 meters), R410A (within 20 meters).

3. Choose the length according to the pipe diameter. The pipe diameter is also an important factor in choosing the pipe length. Generally speaking, the larger the pipe diameter, the longer the pipe length. The common pipe diameters and corresponding lengths are as follows: 6.35mm (within 10 meters), 9.52mm (within 20 meters), 12.7mm (within 30 meters), 15.88mm (within 50 meters).

Notes on Air Conditioning Insulated Copper Pipe Installation

(the picture originates from the internet)

1. All welds must be made at the connection between the copper pipe and the branch pipe, not between copper pipes.

2. Nitrogen must be charged during the welding process to prevent air from entering the insulated copper pipe, which could cause carbon buildup on the inner wall and lead to faults in the air conditioner compressor when the system is operational.

3. The hydrogen charging and pressure holding time is generally 24 hours. When using R410A refrigerant, the pressure inside the copper pipe must be maintained at 40 kg, and when using R22 refrigerant, the pressure must be maintained at 20 kg.

If the pressure has not dissipated after the normal 24-hour period, remove all pressure gauges to ensure the correct installation and construction of the air conditioner. Keep the air conditioner disconnected until the refrigerant system is safely operated, and remove the air conditioner before dismantling.