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Expanion rate

Techman
Techman Member Posts: 2,144
in A-C, Heat Pumps & Refrigeration
What is the expansion of the copper lines in a horizontal run 100' long, of 1 5/8" copper discharge line and 1 1/8 liquid line? In inches, please. Ok ,I'll settle for the expansion rate if need be.

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,862
    very nearly

    10 microinches per inch per degree F temperature change.  Depends a little on the alloy.  
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • meplumber
    meplumber Member Posts: 678
    Rule of thumb.

    Terry, the rule of thumb that we have been using for AC and Refrigeration is 1" per 100' of horizontal run, properly supported.  It isn't as exact as Jamie's number, but hasn't bitten me in the rear yet.  I will do an expansion loop only if the horizontal run exceeds 150' and it is a heat pump application.  In AC only, the temp rise is below the point where it will cause a sufficient expansion to stress the joint.



    Good Luck.
  • Techman
    Techman Member Posts: 2,144
    Expansion

    Thanks Jamie, using your formula, I was closing in on that 1" # that meplumber provided.  Yup ,pretty darn close.  

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