Copper particles in copper tubing

[northone]

Just bought 20 foot nominal 1/2 inch type L soft coil at Home Depot and noticed lots of rather large copper particles inside.

This is for a mini-split line set. Is this O.K. to use like that?

Its kind of freaking me out as I never noticed particles in the smaller dimensions, though they are harder to look into. Can't seem to find any info on it anywhere.

Any help is much appreciated.

[Tayters]

If there are particles that are or could become loose then I can't see it being much use mate.
All the fridge copper I've seen is squeaky clean inside. Heard about people getting hold of cheap stuff and the inside looks tarnished.

Cheers,
Andy.

[northone]

Other than the particles its nice and shiny in there

Thanks for the help.

[northone]

The frowny face looks mad but its just supposed to be a sad face. lol

[install monkey]

is it where theyve cut the ends with a grinder/chop saw and the swarf is in the 1st 2ft of each end?

[northone]

Ah. Swarf it appears to be. I only took off 4-6 inches or so before and that wasn't far enough.

You win the correct answer

Thanks much to both of you. The quick replies were awesome too if not more so.

[Tayters]

Ah, wrong again!

[northone]

Sometimes its good to be wrong

[Tayters]

Ah, in that case I am normally very good then!

[install monkey]

would it make you feel better if i said i googled the answer??

Ah, in that case I am normally very good then!

[Tayters]

would it make you feel better if i said i googled the answer??

Ha ha, not in this case because that's the first place I checked!

[sedgy]

hi all ,
tell me do they still use imperial copper pipe for water IN THE US ? IS THIS DOMESTIC , OR FRIDGE PIPE ?
= SEDGY,

[MikeHolm]

Yes we still use imperial copper tubing (hard drawn), 1/2", 3/4" etc. (We meaning us, them down thare and us up here, ya know)

[monkey spanners]

Think type L is for water only. Keep in mind a mini split on R410A could be running at 600psi in heating mode or in fault conditions...

Would think the best place to get pipe would be a hvac wholesalers.

[MikeHolm]

I NEVER buy soft copper for anything important at the Home Despot, they have been known to have deals with companies to use less material than at the wholesalers.

I found this out on faucets where the same parts are brass at the wholesaler and plastic at HD (same part number). We buy fibreglas insulation in "bats" and where there might usually be 20 bats in a bundle, HD was caught selling it with 19 bats so they could advertise a cheaper cost.

Don't know if they still do it but it was done in the past.

[northone]

This stuff that I started the thread with is now in use and no problems so far.

Had cut off ~3-4feet in total. What was left, was tapped out and vacuumed for safety as well.

They only had type L in the size and length that was required...

I do agree. Best to buy elsewhere and get proper refrigerant grade to do it completely right in the first place - it not only makes for an easier job that also has the best foundation possible.