INSTALLATION & LAYOUT BEST PRACTICES
Piping Insulation
Refrigerant Piping System Insulation
All refrigerant piping including Y-branch connections, field-provided isolation ball valves, service valves, and elbows shall be completely
insulated using closed cell pipe insulation.
To prevent heat loss/heat gain through the refrigerant piping, all refrigerant piping including liquid lines and vapor lines shall be insulated
separately. Insulation shall be a minimum 1/2" thick, and thickness may need to be increased based on ambient conditions and local codes.
All insulation joints shall be glued with no air gaps. Insulation material shall fit snugly against the refrigeration pipe with no air space between
it and the pipe. Insulation passing through pipe hangers, inside conduit, and/or sleeves must not be compressed. Protect insulation inside
hangers and supports with a second layer. All pipe insulation exposed to the sun and outdoor elements shall be properly protected with PVC,
aluminum vapor barrier, or alternatively placed in a weather-resistant enclosure such as a pipe rack with a top cover; and meet local codes.
Pay special attention to insulating the pipes installed in the ceiling plenum.
LG-provided Y-branches are shipped from the factory with pre-formed peel-and-stick foam insulation jackets, with a 1.84 lb./ft.
thickness, and meet UL94 MF-1 flammability.
The design engineer should perform calculations to determine if the factory-supplied insulation jackets are sufficient to meet local codes and
avoid sweating. Maximum refrigerant piping temperature is +227°F; minimum refrigerant piping temperature is -4°F. Add additional insulation
if necessary. Check the fit of the insulation jacket after the header fitting and all run-out pipes are installed. Mark all pipes at the point where
the insulation jacket ends. Remove the jacket. Install field provided insulation on the run-out and main trunk pipes first. Install the LG-pro-
vided insulation plugs on the ends of all unused header ports. Peel the adhesive glue protector slip from the insulation jacket and install the
clam-shell jacket over the fitting.
Minimum Refrigerant Pipe Ethylene Propylene Diene Methylene (EPDM) Insulation Wall Thickness Requirements
Follow locals codes when selecting EPDM insulation wall thickness.
Table 129:Insulation Guidelines for Typical and Special Circumstances.
Classification
ø1/4 inches
Liquid pipe
ø3/8 inches
≥ø1/2 inches
ø3/8 inches
ø1/2 inches
Vapor pipe
ø5/8 inches
ø3/4 inches
1. Air-conditioned, Typical location: When the piping passes through an indoor area where the indoor unit operates.
• Apartment, classroom, office, mall, hospital, etc.
2. Air-conditioned, Special location
1. When the location is air conditioned, but there is severe temperature/humidity difference due to high ceilings
• Church, auditorium, theater, lobby, etc.
2. When the location is air conditioned, but internal temperature/humidity are high
• Bathroom, swimming pool, locker room, etc.
3. Non-air conditioned, Typical location: When the piping passes through an indoor area where the indoor unit does not
operate.
• Hallway or a dormitory or school, etc.
4. Non-air conditioned, Special location: If conditions 1 and 2 below are present.
1. When the piping passes through an indoor area where the indoor unit does not operate.
2. When the humidity is high and there is no air flow in the location where the piping is installed.
• The thickness of the above insulation material is based on heat conductivity of 0.61 Btu/in/h/ft
208 | DESIGN & PRACTICES
Air-conditioned location
1. Typical location
1/2 inches
1/2 inches
1/2 inches
Due to our policy of continuous product innovation, some specifications may change without notification.
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2. Special location
3. Typical location
1/2 inches
1/2 inches
1/2 inches
1/2 inches
3/4 inches
3/4 inches
F
MULTI
F
MULTI
density, 1/2"
3
Non-air conditioned location
4. Special location
1/2 inches
1/2 inches
1 inch
/°F.
2
MAX