Client Contact: Rey Harju
(714) 257-9060
fporders@fieldpiece.com
Press Contact: Beverly Steinberg
(714) 777-2760
GBL@speakeasy.net
ASH3 Superheat Accessory Head
Measures Refrigerant Temperature and Pressure
BREA,
Calif., January 5, 2005-- -- Fieldpiece Instruments announces the immediate
availability of the ASH3 Superheat Accessory Head, which enables DMMs to measure
superheat for both R22 and R410A. It does this by measuring both suction line
pressure and suction line temperature simultaneously and calculating superheat.
The user can display suction line pressure, suction line temperature and superheat.
At $179, the ASH3 can pay for itself in time savings when using superheat
to diagnose an air conditioner. The ASH3 includes not only the accessory head
but also the Fieldpiece Instruments’ ATC1 Pipe Clamp Thermocouple. The
ATC1 is a spring-loaded thermocouple clamp that’s designed to easily
take suction line pipe temperatures. It firmly holds the thermocouple junction
up against the suction line temperature measurements. The ASH3 has a “Stable
Indicator” LED which is important when measuring superheat. It tells
the user that the reading is stable. In addition, the head comes with a brass
“T” so the head can be connected in-line when used with gauges,
or can be used by itself on the end of a hose without the “T”.
The ASH3 accessory head works with all of Fieldpiece’s modular instruments.
It slides on to the HS30 series stick meter. The ASH3 head can also be used
with the data logger to record measurements over time. When used with the
Fieldpiece Electronic Handle, EHDL1, it acts as a standalone tool. It also
connects to most DMMs using Fieldpiece's AHDL1 adapter handle.
“Now every technician can easily and quickly measure superheat. No more
winging it!” said Rey Harju of Fieldpiece Instruments. “The ASH3
measures both suction line pressure and temperature at once, for either R-22
or R410-A refrigerant. And it works with the instruments you already have.
Plus, as a bonus, you get the ATC1 thermocouple pipe clamp. You can use it
with all your other Fieldpiece instruments." The included ATC1 thermocouple
clamp can be used on pipe sizes from 3/8” to 1 ½” which
covers most refrigerator pipes.
ABOUT SUPERHEAT
Measuring superheat is important because it can prevent damage to the air
conditioner and make it run more efficiently. Superheat is the difference
between the boiling point temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator
coil and the actual temperature of the refrigerant (gas) as it leaves the
evaporator. After boiling, the refrigerant continues to warm up. The number
of degrees it “warmed up” after boiling is called the superheat.
Under worst case conditions (low load), the refrigerant in the evaporator
boils off near the end of the evaporator coil. To make sure liquid doesn’t
enter the compressor under the worst case condition (low load), the AC manufacturers
publish charts indicating what the superheat should be at a given indoor wet
bulb measurement and outdoor air temperature. If the superheat is too high,
the air conditioner will be inefficient. If superheat is too low, you risk
flooding the compressor. You can change the superheat by adding or taking
away refrigerant.
Measuring superheat is the best indication on a fixed orifice system of the
proper refrigerant charge and operating conditions. If everything else is
working properly and the actual superheat is too high, add refrigerant. If
it is too low, remove refrigerant. Using superheat to determine proper charge
enables an air conditioner to deliver the best reliability and the best efficiency.
Fieldpiece Instruments, Inc. was formed in 1989 to provide instruments and
instrument kits for field service technicians. Fieldpiece designs products
and assembles instrument kits in the U.S. Kit components are manufactured
in the U.S. and overseas.
Fieldpiece
Instruments, Inc.
580 W. Central, Suite A
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 257-9060 FAX (714) 257-9069
fpinfo@fieldpiece.com