Purpose, device, correct installation and repair of the external block of the split system

Household and semi-industrial split systems consist of two blocks: indoor and outdoor, which is located outdoors. Such division is quite justified and even beneficial for users, since the noisiest components of the device - the compressor and the fan - are taken out "overboard", and there is absolutely no need to think about where to remove the warm air.

Internally, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner

Regardless of which structural type the split system belongs to, its outdoor module always has the same working units:

• The compressor is responsible for compressing the freon under pressure before entering the liquid phase;
• The fan provides blowing of the heat exchanger and the removal of warm air from the unit during cooling or its intake during heating;
• The condenser is responsible for cooling the freon and its condensation;
• The filter of the freon system protects the system circuit from dust, dirt and other small debris getting there;
• A capillary tube or expansion valve (thermostatic expansion valve) is needed to regulate the pressure and transfer the freon into a mixture of gas and liquid.

If the air conditioner can work in heat pump mode, then the outdoor unit is equipped with a four-way valve, which is controlled by the indoor unit. The four-way valve is responsible for changing the blocks in places - the outer one takes heat from the street, and the inner one takes it out into the room.

Monoblock split systems

There are air conditioners without an outdoor unit, but not mobile or window units, namely monoblock splits, in which all components are located in one module. They consist of:

• compressor;
• electric drive;
• heat exchanger;
• fan;
• mechanical and carbon filters;
• recuperator.

Such models of split systems have a double air duct through which warm exhaust air is emitted and fresh outdoor air is taken. The condensate is discharged through the heat removal tube along with the hot stream. Outside, the air duct openings are covered with decorative ventilation grilles.

Among air conditioners without an outdoor unit, there are models that work not only for cold, but also for cold / heat. Manufacturers produce monoblock split systems with both linear (on / off) and inverter drives. There are even multi-split systems with two connected units that can function together or separately. They have a small height difference. Blocks are placed either on top or on the bottom of the wall.

Most air conditioners that do not have an outdoor unit operate in standard modes: cooling, heating, ventilation, dehumidification. Average noise level is 28-37 dB with energy efficiency class A to A ++. Many have convenient settings like:

• additional heater;
• on / off timer;
• air distributor;
• defrosting functions;
• mode of economical night consumption of energy.

The main part of monoblock split systems has an extended operating temperature range, which allows them to function in severe frosts.

The main advantages of such devices include:

• lightweight wall mounting;
• inflow of fresh air;
• no need to lay drainage for a non-reversible device.

But they also have significant disadvantages, which are noted not only by installers, but also by the buyers themselves:

• fixed installation, assuming placement only on the outer wall of the room;
• very sensitive heat exchanger;
• fungus on the wall outside from constantly flowing condensation;
• increased noise (when compared with conventional two-unit systems);
• uneven distribution of flows when installing the unit closer to the floor;
• high price that does not meet user expectations.

Many are alarmed by the fact that the world's leading leaders in climatic technology do not produce monoblock split designs. Most of them are owned by Chinese companies. In Russia, the following brands can be found on store shelves:

• UNICO STAR;
• UNICO SKY;
• CLIMER;
• ARTEL.

In some cases, when the rules prohibit installing an outdoor air conditioner unit on the facade, a mono-split system is the only way to solve the problem of air conditioning an apartment or office.

Dimensions and capacity of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner

The selection of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner and the place for its installation depends on the size of the unit. The concept of dimensions includes closely related specific values ​​that denote the physical parameters of the module, that is, height (H), width (W), depth (D), and cold power, which can be either nominal or variable.

Some condensers require a very powerful blowing, which can only be provided by two fans, respectively, the dimensions of such a module will differ significantly from the dimensions of the unit that cools a small room in an apartment. When the power exceeds the established limits of the norm for the dimensions of the case, the question arises about the selection of a module with large dimensions.

The technical characteristics of the device usually indicate such data as H * W * D and cooling capacity. The former are measured in millimeters (mm), the latter in kilowatts (kW).

The size of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner is affected by its power, and it is affected by the area of ​​the heat exchanger, compressor and fan.

Place for placing the outdoor unit of the air conditioner

As already mentioned, the size of the outdoor unit sometimes determines the most optimal place for its installation.

The standard installation involves fixing the device under the window just below the level of the window sill or to the side of the window, without entering the territory of the neighboring apartment. But there are also not quite standard options for the location of the external module. If the permissible length of the route and the height difference allow, then installation can be carried out on the roof or attic of the house. Many people install the unit on the facade of the balcony / loggia or inside them in the absence of full glazing. Those living in a private house or on the ground floor sometimes mount it under a loggia, covering it from the adverse effects of atmospheric phenomena and thus not disturbing the appearance of the building.

Of particular interest is the installation of an outdoor unit in the basement of the house. Such a project can be carried out in the presence of increased routes and elevation differences. If the basement is heated at the same time, then the air conditioner can not only cool down, but also warm up in cold weather.

To do this, there is no need to install a winter kit on the device or buy a system with an extended operating temperature range, since the outdoor unit of the air conditioner installed in the basement will not be exposed to extremely low temperatures. The main thing is to ensure normal air circulation so that the heat exchanger does not overheat.

In summer, it is usually cool in such rooms, therefore, there is a plus here - with this location, the external module will produce greater efficiency, since the air there is colder than outside.

What is the outdoor unit attached to?

During installation, the external module must be fixed. For standard fastening of the unit to the wall of the building, brackets consisting of two welded strips are used. They are usually made from a durable profile of different sections. They have two holes for fixing to the wall and two for installing the air conditioner itself. Such fasteners withstand loads exceeding the weight of the middle block several times.

To install the device on the roof, floor, ground, use universal stands for the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, which are made of metal and covered with powder paint. They are attached to the surface through welded holes with frame-facade fasteners and have sliding strips that can be adjusted to any size of the device. As a rule, the stand for the outdoor unit of the air conditioner can support more than 250 kg, which corresponds to the weight of a very powerful industrial unit.

Rules for installing the outdoor unit of the air conditioner

Before proceeding with fastening, you should take into account the rules for installing the outdoor unit of the air conditioner, non-observance of which entails incorrect operation of the device:

• The device should not disturb the silence at night - the maximum permissible noise is about 32 dB. It is necessary to organize a normal drainage of condensate so that it does not fall on the walls of the house, the canopy of the entrance and people passing by;
• Be sure to take into account the strength of the walls. It must withstand a load of several tens of kilograms. Do not attach the air conditioner to aerated concrete structures, the exterior cladding of the house and a layer of insulation;
• The brackets with the block are provided with the most reliable base and fastening;
• In order to prevent overheating of the compressor, the minimum distance from the wall to the outdoor unit should not be less than 10 cm. There should be no obstacle to normal airflow;
• The air conditioner is placed taking into account the need for free air circulation. The radiator requires normal cooling;
• Provide good access to service valves so that preventive inspections can be carried out;
• Multiple bending of the copper pipeline must not be allowed, since creases prevent the normal pumping of freon by the compressor;
• The maximum length of the pipeline between the modules of the split-system should not exceed the length set by the manufacturer, otherwise the work efficiency drops noticeably;
• Do not allow direct sunlight to hit the back of the device, therefore, there should not be too much distance from the outer wall to the outdoor unit;
• It is advisable to provide protection against moisture.

Compliance by installers with all the rules for installing the outdoor unit of the air conditioner guarantees long-term and trouble-free operation of the refrigeration machine.

Stages of installation of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner

If the installation is carried out at the stage of repair work, then first the wall is cut and the track is laid. When installing a split system after repair, communications are placed in boxes.

The external module itself is fixed, observing the main stages of installation work:

1. Make a markup for the brackets. They take into account their location relative to each other, relative to the window sill and relative to the existing hole for the track.
2. Holes are drilled in the wall with a puncher.
3. Brackets are fastened with dowels with "wood grouses" or anchor bolts. An external block is installed on them and fixed with bolts and nuts.
4. Connect freon tubes. They must first be trimmed, chamfered and flared. Only then can you connect.
5. Connect the wires.The required length is measured, cleaned and connected to the terminal block. The connection is carried out according to the circuit diagram indicated on the unit itself or in the user's manual.
6. When the indoor module is already installed, a vacuum pump is connected to the external one, air is pumped out from the route and the indoor unit. Then the gas is turned on by opening the taps on the outdoor unit, and all protective caps are tightened.
7. Put the protective cover on the device.

If the installation is carried out by unqualified people, then repair of the outdoor or indoor unit may be required, which is not always cheap.

Repair and preventive maintenance

In what other cases may it be necessary to call a master and carry out repair work to eliminate malfunctions in the outdoor unit of the air conditioner?

As a rule, breakdowns of a street unit can be associated with the failure of the mechanical part of the device or the electrical and electronic system. The first group includes malfunctions of the refrigeration circuit elements, and the second includes malfunctions in the control board or problems in the electrical circuit.

Mechanical breakdowns

If there is a breakdown in the mechanical part, then this can be expressed in the form:

• freezing of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner;
• the appearance of uncharacteristic noises and vibrations;
• reducing the efficiency of blowing the heat exchanger;
• the appearance of oil spills at ports.

Most of the listed problems are associated with freon leakage or its initial shortage. The presence of those can be easily determined by the master using a pressure gauge.

There are other reasons why the outdoor unit of the air conditioner freezes, not only in heating mode in winter, but also in summer almost immediately after installation.

There may be excess refrigerant, excess air, or excess moisture in the system. It is possible that the capillary tubes are clogged or the device simply needs preventive cleaning, which includes flushing the panels of both units, cleaning or replacing filters, as well as removing excess dirt from the fan and heat exchanger. Often there is such a problem as the incorrect length of the copper pipeline, from which there is either a shortage or an excess of freon.

If none of these reasons are identified, refueling or complete refueling has been carried out, and the outdoor unit of the air conditioner continues to freeze, then the cause should be looked for in the compressor malfunction.

Malfunctions in electrical and electronics

Failure of the control board can be an equally serious problem. As a rule, this is signaled by error codes and LED lamps on the housing of the indoor module, giving appropriate brake lights. If the board is burnt out, the outdoor unit of the air conditioner may smoke, although smoke sometimes indicates a burnout of the compressor motor or blower fan.

At the slightest suspicion of an electrical malfunction, you must immediately turn off the machine in the electrical panel, which is responsible for the air conditioner.

If the outdoor unit of the air conditioner smokes in heating mode in winter, then this may indicate not a fire, but a defrosting of the heat exchanger (condenser). In this case, the smoke is just steam.

Regardless of the complexity of the breakdown, you must immediately de-energize the device and call the service technician, who will inspect the system and repair the outdoor unit, if necessary.