A Guide to R410A
 The facts on R410A refrigerant
With more manufacturers introducing systems that use R410A refrigerant, we’ve produced this booklet to explain the hype that currently surrounds R410A and to present you with the facts.
Handled correctly, many installers have already realised that R410A refrigerant has some excellent benefits to offer. However, it’s being portrayed within the industry as potentially dangerous to use or, it’s being labelled as the only efficient refrigerant that’s available - which simply isn’t true.
Whilst R410A can provide some small advantages in efficiency, it is technology itself that is the largest contributor towards the steady increase in ever important COP’s. A good comparison can be made with cars and fuel for example: The fact that a car can provide more miles per gallon today than say, fives years ago, is due to technological advances in the car rather than the fuel.
The same is true of direct expansion systems, with the need to focus on efficiency as a whole, not simply the type of refrigerant. How the refrigerant is used is of paramount importance and good system installation is crucial. The skills required today, are no different to those that have always been required and although the equipment and subsequent numbers may differ, the need for good practice remains the same.
R410A refrigerant has some excellent benefits to offer.
A brief history of refrigerant
Since 1985 it’s been well documented that the ozone layer surrounding the earth has been diminishing. Scientific evidence suggests man-made chemicals are responsible for creating the hole in the ozone layer and that they’re likely to add to global ozone depletion.
Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) have been used in many products which take advantages of their physical proper ties. For example, Chloro Fluoro Carbons (CFC’s), have commonly been used as aerosol propellants and refrigerants.
However, since highlighting that the chlorine in CFC’s attributes to the demise of the ozone layer, the ‘Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer’ was negotiated and signed by 24 countries and the European Union in 1987. The protocol calls for all parties to scale down the use of CFC’s, halons and other man-made ODS.
R22 is a Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)
As a result of legislation R22 refrigerant (an HCFC), has been virtually phased out in all new equipment. The air conditioning industry now uses (HFC) as it has no chlorine content and zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP).
R410A is a Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)
Systems using R410A refrigerant run at a pressure of approximately 1.6 times that of similar systems using R22 and the energy efficiency is comparable. The R410A refrigerant is a 50:50 mixture of R32 and R125. It has a higher direct Global Warming Potential (GWP) than R22 or R407c, but a much lower indirect GWP (CO2 production at power station).
R407c is a Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)
R407c is a mix of three refrigerants: R32, R125 and R134a - all of which boil at a different temperature. R407c has a range or glide of approximately 5°C compared with R410A which has less than 0.17K. In R407c, R32 provides the capacity, R125 controls the flammability and R134a reduces the pressure.
R410A in detail
R410A is a Zeotropic blend of two refrigerants:
R32 : 50% R125 : 50%
The phase change of R410A mixtures takes place at an almost constant temperature during the liquefaction or evaporation process.
The temperature glide for R410A is less than 0.17K.
R410A has zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)
With the relatively high density and high efficiency of R410A , it is possible to reduce the size of system components such as condensers, compressors, evaporators and piping, etc. As operating pressures are higher compared to that of R22 and R407c, all system components must all be designed for suitability with R410A.
| |
R22 |
R410A |
| Suction: |
60psi (4 bar) |
90 to 105 psi (6 to 7 bar) |
| Discharge: |
260psi (17 bar) |
350 to 400 psi (23 to 28 bar) |
When installing equipment using R410A refrigerant, there are a number of standards that must be met:
- An ester oil is used for R410A (as with R407c)
- It’s important to work with absolute cleanliness
- Brazing must be done with the use of Nitrogen (OFN)
- The system must be evacuated thoroughly (triple evacuation)
- A strength test in accordance with BS EN378 must be carried out
- The system must always be charged in the liquid phase
For more information view the R410A links below:
 A Guide to R410A - Pdf Format (511Kb)
18 pages - The facts on R410A refrigerant, A brief history of refrigerant, R410A in detail, Ensure correct system evacuation, When using copper pipework, The right tools, Summary
Power Inverter Construction Manual for R410A - Pdf Format (1,823Kb)
24 pages - Difference between Refrigerant R22 and Alternative Refrigerant R410A, Difference in Material of Refrigerant Pipe between R22 and R410A, Installation Procedures and Cautions on Construction, Airtight Test, Vacuuming (Vacuum Drying), Checking the Gas Leakage, Reusing the Existing Pipe, Tools for Installation, Tools for Refrigerant Charge, Checking the Operation Condition, Capacity correction, Field electrical wiring (Power wiring specification), Check List for Existing Pipe Work
 Click here for: General Information, Guides and Facts
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