R410A - Can my pipe take it

[R1976]

Hi all,

Just wondered if anyone knows or has a link to copper sizes/thicknesses for R410A. How do I know if our supplier is giving us the correct pipe or is all refrigeration pipe the same standard?

[jdunc2301]

Im preety sure all refrigeration copper (stronger than plumber's copper 'water' ) is a set standard and is suitable for R410a.

[R1976]

After searching the internet I found a manufacturers website and this link.

http://www.lawtontubes.co.uk/pdfs/Lawton%20Tube%20Technical%20Guide%20-%202008.pdf

It would seem that they only manufacture pipe to one standard, EN 12735-1, therefore all refrigerant pipe is the same and the equipment's safety devices will step in before the pipes maximum working pressure is exceeded. EN 12735-2 is for refrigeration pipe for equipment.

We only install soft copper up to 5/8 but I'm not sure what bending an 1"1/8 pipe does to it's strength.:confused:

Check out the copper price index chart for the last few years - quite interesting to see how the recession hit it.

http://www.lawtontubes.co.uk/pdfs/LME%20Average%202006+07+08.pdf

[Magoo]

It is a marketing ploy by supplier. Do a burst test yourself on a peice of pipe. If CO2 different issue.

[R1976]

Hi Magoo,

I'm a bit late in rekindling this thread but I have been on holiday for a week.

Do you mean that the use of fittings is a marketing ploy?

Also, what do you mean about CO2, I have no experience of CO2?

[Magoo]

Hi R1976,
when 410a hit these shores all the suppiers said special pipe and special flaring kits, and special torque wrenches were required, the copper was special as well, due to extreme pressures with 410A. Special service gauges as well.
As you said earlier the pipe standard is the same. I think that 5/8 soft drawn was slightly thicker wall
As for CO2, don't go there. Up to 80 bar.

[R1976]

So do you use standard refrigeration copper for CO2?

[Magoo]

Definitly stainless steel seamless, and small bore. 80 bar plus discharge is serious shyte. Like I said, do not go there. Trans-critical or sub-critical, a whole new technowlogy.

[lowcool]

yep 76 they do use cu pipe in co2 applications