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Trends in Refrigeration-Leak Detection
Learn about six common techniques for leak-checking R-410A systems; brazing errors and how to avoid them; and a tip to check for a leaking refrigerant-access port valve. View the original article from RSES Journal Publication date: May 2012 Leak detection is more important today than in any other era of air-conditioning and refrigeration because of R-410A’s emergence as a preferred…
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Recovery Procedures for the R-22 Phaseout
Discover strategies that emphasize proper recovery, recycling and reclamation procedures for R-22 to help preserve the supplies of refrigerant. View the original article from RSES Journal Publication date: May 2012 The HVACR market may experience shortages of R-22 in the years to come, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that are based on production quotas and use projections…
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The Professor: Condensing Temperatures and Condensing Splits
View the original article from ACHR News Publication date March 7, 2011 Condensing temperatures often give service technicians valuable hints as to what the problem may be within a refrigeration system. In fact, most service technicians would rather troubleshoot the refrigeration system’s high side than the system’s low side. This is because almost all of…
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Getting the Details on Digital
Reprinted from RSES Journal View the original article By Carter Stanfield, CM. Original publication date July 2011. The digital gauges used by today’s HVACR service professionals are a far cry from what was employed by many in the industry even 10 years ago. But knowing the nuances of these instruments is critical to maximizing their…
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Swaging Tools
Just as a flaring tool is used to make a flare connection, a swaging tool is used to make a permanent brazed connection. Swaging the end of your tubing is similar to flaring in that your goal is to gradually widen the end of your tube. However, swaging eliminates the use and expense of fittings,…
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Service Tools
The tools covered are for use with soft copper only, unless otherwise noted. You’ll benefit from having a wide selection of service tools in your toolbox. Let’s start with wrenches. There are general wrenches as well as specialty wrenches. The ratchet style wrench requires only a 5° to 6° clearance to actuate its ratchet gear,…
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Flaring Tools
Flaring soft copper tubing allows you to connect tubes to each other or to another type of fitting. Tubing that has been successfully flared has a gradually widening profile. Flaring tools are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. There are full range flaring tools, flaring tool kits, and flaring tools that also…
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Deburring Tools
Once you’ve finished cutting your tubing, it may be necessary to remove the burrs left behind on your cut. Burrs are the little metal shavings that turn up on the inside wall of your tubing at the cut point. These shavings must be completely removed or they will compromise the seal and integrity of the…
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Cutting Tools
Cutters come in a variety of shapes and sizes. We recommend you have a few different style cutters in your toolbox in order to handle various situations out in the field. It’s also a good idea to have spare parts for all your cutting tools nearby. Service kits are available and have all the necessary…
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Bending Tools
Every application you encounter is bound to require tube bending, and this is one procedure where practice makes perfect. Some refer to tube bending as an art form. You may want to have several of these tools in your toolbox. They range from the simple spring tube bender to the specialty ratchet hand bender. Each…