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Defrost Thermostat

Defrost Thermostat

Solenoid Valve Applications - Evaporator Temperature Control

A solenoid valve installed in the liquid line as close to the evaporator as possible, in conjunction with a narrow differential thermostat, is an excellent temperature control. By mounting the thermostat bulb in the supply or discharge air across the evaporator, the temperature swing is limited only by the differential of the thermostat.

This type of temperature control can be used on a single or multiple evaporator system and is particularly useful on multiplexed systems with evaporators at different temperatures.

Defrost Pump Down

In situations where the condensing unit is installed in a low ambient, such as on a rooftop in northern climates, and the evaporator is operating at a temperature above the ambient, a pump down solenoid valve should be used. This allows the pressure control to be set at a cut out of 1 to 2 psi and the cut in to be set at a pressure below the pressure corresponding to the ambient temperature. This will ensure that the condensing unit will start after cooling down during the defrost.

When a system has a defrost pump down solenoid valve, a thermostat should be used in series with the defrost time clock to control the temperature of the space or fixture. An alternative to the thermostat would be an evaporator pressure regulator.
Note: System diagrams are for illustrative purposes and are intended to show application of solenoid valves only.

Heat Reclaim Systems

Basically, there are two types of heat reclaim systems: the series system and the parallel system.

In the series system, during normal operation, the discharge gas is condensed completely in the condenser. During the heating mode, the normally opened solenoid valve closes off the condenser and the normally closed solenoid opens to allow the discharge gas to flow into the heat reclaim coil. Complete condensation can occur in the heat reclaim coil if so designed, but manufacturers often prefer to take advantage of all the sensible heat available but only part of the latent heat, depending on the condenser for complete condensation.

In the parallel systems there are, in effect, two separate condensers. During normal operation, the condenser is used for complete condensation of the discharge gas. In the heat reclaim mode the discharge gas is completely condensed in the heat reclaim coil, thus maximizing the use of both sensible and latent heat. Some manufacturers recommend installing a 1/4-inch line from the heat reclaim coil, at its lowest point, back to the receiver to ensure the proper drainage of oil and liquid refrigerant during the off cycle. Other manufacturers suggest the installation of a pressure control, to ensure that the system will switch from the heat reclaim mode to the condenser in the event of fan stoppage or clogged filters.

Split Evaporator — Humidity Control

There are often times when the air temperature is satisfactory but the humidity level is too high. This can be remedied by using only half the evaporator to dehumidify the air without excessive cooling and the addition of auxiliary heat. This can best be accomplished by using a normally open solenoid valve on one half of the evaporator controlled by a humidistat.

Hot Gas Defrost System

Hot gas defrost offers an excellent alternative to electric or air defrost. In this system the hot compressor discharge gas is routed to the outlet of the evaporator. This hot gas warms the evaporator, thaws any frost that has accumulated, condenses into a liquid, and flows into the common liquid line to feed the other evaporators.
In order for this system to work properly, check valves must be installed to allow flow around the expansion valves. A pressure reducing valve should be used in the liquid line to provide a pressure differential between the condensed refrigerant leaving the defrosting evaporator and the common liquid line.

The system shown is drawn with only two evaporators but it is recommended that only 25 percent of any multiplexed system be hot gas defrosted at any given time.

An alternative to the hot gas defrost system is the cool gas defrost, which uses the gas from the top of the receiver to defrost the evaporators. Because the cool gas defrost operates at a lower temperature, the thermal expansion of the refrigeration lines is reduced. This often eliminates the need for special piping techniques and leaks caused at line connections by excessive thermal flexing.

Capacity Control System

A simple method of providing compressor unloading is to use a solenoid valve connecting the discharge and suction lines of the compressor. The solenoid valve is controlled by a pressure control which responds to suction pressure. When the switch closes, it opens the normally closed solenoid valve and discharge gas is short circuited back to the suction side of the compressor.
In order to prevent overheating of the compressor, a thermostatic expansion valve should be installed to provide cooling to the compressor suction gas. An alternative method consists of injecting hot gas into the evaporator inlet. This prevents overheating of the compressor and increases the velocity of the gas through the evaporator.

This type of unloading should not be attempted without thorough analysis of solenoid valve and expansion valve sizing.

Liquid Line Shut-Off

In an effort to obtain a higher efficiency rating on residential and commercial air conditioning systems, a normally closed solenoid valve typically is installed in the liquid line located near the air handler or furnace. In this case, the solenoid valve is wired in parallel with the contactor circuit (24 VAC) and may require a larger transformer to accommodate the valve.
As an alternative method, a normally closed solenoid valve may be located in the liquid line near the condensing unit and wired directly to the compressor motor terminal box. This solution improves system efficiency and maintains the refrigerant charge in the condenser coil during the off-cycle of the compressor which prevents refrigerant migration when long piping runs are used.

If the solenoid valve application requires a fail-safe or open mode, a normally open solenoid valve may be used. In this instance, the valve may also be located in the condensing unit and wired in series with the compressor crankcase heater.

About the Author

Ningbo Lida Pneumatic Complete Sets Co.,Ltd. specializing pneumatic components,solenoid valve,air cylinder & pneumatic fittings that these are inexpensive.It has with more than 15years.

If my refrigerator is low on freon/refrigerant will the evaportor in the freezer compartment still be frost co?

My refrigerator is not cooling but is defiantly running. We replaced defrost thermostat and tested the defrost heater for continuity, and also tested the defrost timer and it does work. We are now at a loss on were to go from here. The evaporator in freezer is becoming frost covered every time we plug in almost immediately but the coolest the freezer becomes in around 40 degrees and same with refrigerator.

could be low on refrigerant.

It's hard to say for sure. It will still frost up even when it's low. Make sure the fans are all working and the condenser is clean. There are a lot of things that can go wrong. Metering device could be partially blocked, compressor valves could be worn and not creating a good compression ratio (not likely).

You would have to tap the lines in order to check pressures. It's not something for the inexperienced. A lot can be checked with an electronic thermocouple tytp thermometer, but you would have to know what you are looking for.

The best way to see if you are leaking refrigerant is to first look for oil on the lines. Oil travels with the refrigerant and will form near a leak.

If it is frosting up it's a good sing that the compressor is still good.

Diagnosing heat pump defrost thermostat