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Refrigerant Overcharge or Compressor Bearing Wear

Likely causes

Refrigerant overcharge causing liquid slugging and overload

Check: Measure subcooling (condenser outlet temp − condensing sat. temp): normal 5–8°C, overcharge >10°C

What to do: Measure subcooling (condenser outlet temp − condensing sat. temp): normal 5–8°C, overcharge >10°C → If overcharged, recover some refrigerant and recheck subcooling and pressures → Perform pump-down and watch suction pressure rise (rising = internal leak or valve fault) → Listen for rattling during operation (indicates bearing wear) → Replace compressor if current continuously exceeds rating

Increased friction from bearing wear

Check: If overcharged, recover some refrigerant and recheck subcooling and pressures

What to do: If overcharged, recover some refrigerant and recheck subcooling and pressures → Perform pump-down and watch suction pressure rise (rising = internal leak or valve fault) → Listen for rattling during operation (indicates bearing wear) → Replace compressor if current continuously exceeds rating

Partial valve failure causing re-compression

Check: Perform pump-down and watch suction pressure rise (rising = internal leak or valve fault)

What to do: Perform pump-down and watch suction pressure rise (rising = internal leak or valve fault) → Listen for rattling during operation (indicates bearing wear) → Replace compressor if current continuously exceeds rating

Field tip

Overcharge causes liquid slugging and overcurrent; bearing wear also raises current. Check refrigerant charge first. Releasing refrigerant without recovery equipment is illegal. Always use recovery equipment.

All 565 cases work offline in R-Pro, with error codes for 62 brands and P-T data for 108 refrigerants.

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