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Low Pressure Drop from Refrigerant Leak

Likely causes

Leak at pipe joints, flare, or brazed sections

Check: Search all pipes with leak detector

What to do: Search all pipes with leak detector → Repair leak (re-braze or re-flare) → Nitrogen pressure test (1.5× design pressure, 30+ min) → Evacuate to ≤500 μm Hg → Recharge by weight measurement

Service valve core leak

Check: Repair leak (re-braze or re-flare)

What to do: Repair leak (re-braze or re-flare) → Nitrogen pressure test (1.5× design pressure, 30+ min) → Evacuate to ≤500 μm Hg → Recharge by weight measurement

Compressor shaft seal leak

Check: Nitrogen pressure test (1.5× design pressure, 30+ min)

What to do: Nitrogen pressure test (1.5× design pressure, 30+ min) → Evacuate to ≤500 μm Hg → Recharge by weight measurement

Field tip

Refrigerant leak causing both pressures to be low. Repair the leak then recharge. Do not vent refrigerant to atmosphere.

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