Abstract: A charge-verification tool is used with a charge-verification system to diagnose and remedy a charge condition. The charge-verification tool includes a device having a controller configured to communicate with a system controller in the charge-verification system and a display configured to display measurements and instructions to an installer. The device is a user interface and is configured to provide communication between the installer and the system controller in the charge-verification system. The controller prompts the installer to input charge-verification system information including refrigeration line length and diameter. The controller receives a subcooling temperature calculated by the system controller and determines whether the subcooling temperature is between a threshold and a target subcooling temperature.

Abstract: A system is provided and may include a compressor functioning in a refrigeration circuit. An ambient temperature sensor may produce a signal indicative of an ambient temperature. Processing circuitry may calculate an energy efficiency rating of the refrigeration circuit and may generate a relationship of the calculated energy efficiency rating and ambient temperature. The processing circuitry may compare the calculated energy efficiency rating to a base energy efficiency rating to determine if a fault condition exists.

Abstract: A climate-control system includes a variable-capacity compressor unit operable in a first capacity mode and in a second capacity mode that is higher than the first capacity mode and a control module configured to (i) switch the variable-capacity compressor unit between the first capacity mode and the second capacity mode based on a demand signal, a current outdoor air temperature, and an outdoor-air-temperature slope, (ii) select a region based on a first comparison of at least one outdoor-air-temperature value with a predetermined outdoor-air-temperature range and a second comparison of at least one outdoor-relative-humidity value with a predetermined outdoor-relative-humidity range, and (iii) set at least one system operating parameter based on the selected region, the at least one system operating parameter including at least one of a high-capacity runtime of the variable-capacity compressor unit, a low-capacity runtime of the variable-capacity compressor unit, and a fan speed.

Abstract: A compressor is provided and includes a shell, a compression mechanism, a motor, a data module, and a compressor controller. The data module includes a data module processor and a data module memory. The compressor controller includes a controller processor and a controller memory distinct from the data module processor and the data module memory. The data module receives sensed data, stores the sensed data in the data module memory, determines a first diagnosis of the compressor based on the sensed data, and communicates the sensed data and the first diagnosis to the compressor controller. The compressor controller determines a second diagnosis of the compressor based on the sensed data and verifies the first diagnosis by comparing the first diagnosis to the second diagnosis.

Abstract: A charge-verification system for a circuit including a condenser having an inlet, an outlet, and a coil circuit tube extending between the inlet and the outlet is provided. The charge-verification system may include a first of coil temperature sensor located on the coil circuit tube a first distance from the inlet and a second of coil temperature sensor located on the coil circuit tube a second distance from the inlet. The charge-verification system may also include a controller receiving a first signal from the first temperature sensor indicative of a first temperature and a second signal from the second temperature sensor indicative of a second temperature. The controller may determine which of the first signal and the second signal is closer to an actual saturated condensing temperature of the condenser.

Abstract: System and methods are provided and include a compressor operable in a refrigeration circuit, a first sensor detecting high-side data indicative of a high-side operating condition of a high-pressure side of the refrigeration circuit, a second sensor detecting low-side data indicative of a low-side operating condition of a low-pressure side of the refrigeration circuit, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry receives the high-side data and the low-side data, determines a high-side fault, a low-side fault, a severe high-side fault, or a severe low-side fault based on the high-side data and the low-side data, operates the compressor in a limp-along mode by restricting power to the compressor or reducing a capacity of the compressor in response to determining at least one of the high-side fault and the low-side fault, and shuts down the compressor in response to determining at least one of the severe high-side fault and the severe low-side fault.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor and a capacitor electrically coupled to the compressor. A method of operating the refrigeration system includes measuring voltage values based on alternating current power powering the compressor. The method includes measuring current values based on the alternating current power. The method includes determining, with a controller, a power factor value based on at least one of the voltage values and at least one of the current values. The method includes receiving a supply air temperature value from an air temperature sensor installed in the refrigeration system. The method includes receiving a return air temperature value from an air temperature sensor installed in the refrigeration system. The method includes determining a temperature split based on a difference between the return and supply air temperature values. The method includes determining a fault in the capacitor based on the power factor value and the temperature split.

Abstract: A climate-control system may include a variable-capacity compressor unit and a control module controlling the compressor unit. The compressor unit may be operable in a first capacity mode and in a second capacity mode that is higher than the first capacity mode. The control module may be configured to switch the compressor unit among a shutdown state, the first capacity mode and the second capacity mode based on a demand signal and outdoor-air-temperature data.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes installing a compressor in a refrigeration system and determining a condenser temperature difference using processing circuitry. The method also includes checking for an overcharge condition or a condenser fan blockage condition when the condenser temperature difference is greater than a high condenser temperature difference value. The method also includes determining a discharge superheat temperature using the processing circuitry and checking for the overcharge condition or the condenser fan blockage condition when the condenser temperature difference is less than the high condenser temperature difference value and the discharge superheat temperature is less than a low discharge superheat temperature value.

Abstract: A system is provided and may include a refrigeration circuit having a condenser, a first sensor producing a signal indicative of a detected condenser temperature of the condenser, and processing circuitry in communication with the first sensor. The processing circuitry may determine a derived condenser temperature independent from information received from the first sensor and may compare the derived condenser temperature to the detected condenser temperature to determine a charge level of the refrigeration circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for a compressor includes a compressor connected to a condenser, a discharge line temperature sensor that outputs a discharge line temperature signal corresponding to a discharge line temperature of refrigerant leaving the compressor, and a control module connected to the discharge line temperature sensor. The control module determines a saturated condenser temperature, calculates a discharge superheat temperature based on the saturated condenser temperature and the discharge line temperature, and monitors a flood back condition of the compressor by comparing the discharge superheat temperature with a predetermined threshold. The control module increases a speed of the compressor when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system includes a variable-capacity compressor operable at a first capacity and at a second capacity that is higher than the first capacity and an outdoor-air-temperature sensor. A control module receives a demand signal from a thermostat and operates the variable-capacity compressor in a first mode when communication with the outdoor-air-temperature sensor has not been interrupted and in a fault mode when communication with the outdoor-air-temperature sensor has been interrupted. In the first mode, the control module switches the variable-capacity compressor between the first capacity and the second capacity based on the demand signal and the outdoor-air-temperature data. In the fault mode, the control module operates the variable-capacity compressor by operating the variable-capacity compressor at at least one of the first capacity and the second capacity based on the demand signal.

Abstract: A working-fluid circuit may include an indoor heat exchanger, a variable-capacity compressor and a control module. The variable-capacity compressor pumps working fluid through the indoor heat exchanger. The control module may control the compressor and operate the compressor in one of a first capacity mode and a second capacity mode based on a demand signal, outdoor-air-temperature data and a compressor runtime.

Abstract: A system and method for a compressor includes a compressor connected to a condenser, a discharge line temperature sensor that outputs a discharge line temperature signal corresponding to a discharge line temperature of refrigerant leaving the compressor, and a control module connected to the discharge line temperature sensor. The control module determines a saturated condenser temperature, calculates a discharge superheat temperature based on the saturated condenser temperature and the discharge line temperature, and monitors a flood back condition of the compressor by comparing the discharge superheat temperature with a predetermined threshold. The control module increases a speed of the compressor or decreases an opening of an expansion valve associated with the compressor when the discharge superheat temperature is less than or equal to the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A system and method for calculating parameters for a refrigeration system having a variable speed compressor is provided. A compressor is connected to a condenser and an evaporator. An evaporator sensor outputs an evaporator signal corresponding to at least one of an evaporator pressure and an evaporator temperature. An inverter drive modulates electric power delivered to the compressor to modulate a speed of the compressor. A control module is connected to the inverter drive that receives the evaporator signal. The control module monitors electrical power data and compressor speed data from the inverter drive and calculates at least one of a condenser temperature and a condenser pressure based on the evaporator signal, the electrical power data, and the compressor speed data.

Abstract: A climate-control system may include a variable-capacity compressor unit and a control module controlling the compressor unit. The compressor unit may be operable in a first capacity mode and in a second capacity mode that is higher than the first capacity mode. The control module may be configured to switch the compressor unit among a shutdown state, the first capacity mode and the second capacity mode based on a demand signal and outdoor-air-temperature data.

Abstract: A system includes a variable-capacity compressor operable at a first capacity and at a second capacity that is higher than the first capacity and an outdoor-air-temperature sensor. A control module receives a demand signal from a thermostat and operates the variable-capacity compressor in a first mode when communication with the outdoor-air-temperature sensor has not been interrupted and in a fault mode when communication with the outdoor-air-temperature sensor has been interrupted. In the first mode, the control module switches the variable-capacity compressor between the first capacity and the second capacity based on the demand signal and the outdoor-air-temperature data. In the fault mode, the control module operates the variable-capacity compressor by operating the variable-capacity compressor at at least one of the first capacity and the second capacity based on the demand signal.

Abstract: A system includes a variable-capacity compressor operable in a first capacity mode and in a second capacity mode that is higher than the first capacity mode. A variable-speed blower is operable at a first speed and at a second speed that is higher than the first speed. A control module is configured to (i) receive indoor relative humidity data corresponding to an indoor relative humidity (ii) switch the variable-capacity compressor between the first capacity mode and the second capacity mode based on a demand signal from a thermostat and the indoor relative humidity and (iii) switch the variable-speed blower between the first speed and the second speed based on the demand signal from the thermostat and the indoor relative humidity.

Abstract: A system and method includes a power supply that generates an alternating current power for powering a compressor with a capacitor, a voltage sensor that measures voltage values based on the alternating current power, a current sensor that measures current values based on the alternating current power, and a controller. The controller communicates with the voltage sensor and the current sensor, determines a power factor value based on at least one of the voltage values and at least one of the current values, and determines a fault in the capacitor based on the power factor and at least one of the current values.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a voltage sensor, a current sensor, and a controller. The voltage sensor measures voltage values of alternating current power supplied to a capacitor. The capacitor is electrically coupled to a compressor. The current sensor measures current values of the alternating current power. The controller is configured to receive the voltage values and the current values. The controller is configured to determine a first power factor value based on at least one of the voltage values and at least one of the current values. The controller is configured to selectively detect a first capacitor fault in response to concurrent determination that (i) the first power factor value is less than a first power factor threshold and (ii) a first current value of the current values is greater than a first current threshold. The first capacitor fault indicates that a capacitance of the capacitor has degraded.