Reversing Valve DESCRIPTION/OPERATION

REVERSING VALVE DESCRIPTION/OPERATION

WARNING

ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD

Disconnect power to the unit before servicing. Failure to follow this warning could result in serious injury or death.

The Reversing Valve controls the direction of refrigerant ﬂ ow to the indoor and outdoor coils. It consists of a pressure- operated, main valve and a pilot valve actuated by a solenoid plunger. The solenoid is energized during the heating cycle only. The reversing valves used in the PTAC system is a 2-position, 4-way valve.

The single tube on one side of the main valve body is the high-pressure inlet to the valve from the compressor. The center tube on the opposite side is connected to the low pressure (suction) side of the system. The other two are connected to the indoor and outdoor coils. Small capillary tubes connect each end of the main valve cylinder to the “A” and “B” ports of the pilot valve. A third capillary is a common return line from these ports to the suction tube on the main valve body. Four-way reversing valves also have a capillary tube from the compressor discharge tube to the pilot valve.

The piston assembly in the main valve can only be shifted by the pressure differential between the high and low sides

of the system. The pilot section of the valve opens and closes ports for the small capillary tubes to the main valve to cause it to shift.

NOTE: System operating pressures must be near normal before valve can shift.

TESTING THE COIL

WARNING

ELECTRIC SHOCK HAZARD

Unplug and/or disconnect all electrical power to the unit before performing inspections, maintenances or service.

Failure to do so could result in electric shock, serious injury or death.

The solenoid coil is an electromagnetic type coil mounted on the reversing valve and is energized during the operation of the compressor in the heating cycle.

1.Turn off high voltage electrical power to unit.

2.Unplug line voltage lead from reversing valve coil.

3.Check for electrical continuity through the coil. If you do not have continuity replace the coil.

4.Check from each lead of coil to the copper liquid line as it leaves the unit or the ground lug. There should be no continuity between either of the coil leads and ground; if there is, coil is grounded and must be replaced.

5.If coil tests okay, reconnect the electrical leads.

6.Make sure coil has been assembled correctly.

NOTE: Do not start unit with solenoid coil removed from valve, or do not remove coil after unit is in operation. This will cause the coil to burn out.

CHECKING THE REVERSING VALVE

NOTE: You must have normal operating pressures before the reversing valve can shift.

WARNING

HIGH PRESSURE HAZARD

Sealed Refrigeration System contains refrigerant and oil under high pressure.

Proper safety procedures must be followed, and proper protective clothing must be worn when working with refrigerants.

Failure to follow these procedures could result in serious injury or death.

Check the operation of the valve by starting the system and switching the operation from “Cooling” to “Heating” and then back to “Cooling”. Do not hammer on valve.

Occasionally, the reversing valve may stick in the heating or cooling position or in the mid-position.