Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Sorry Charlie, thats what I get for reading a post before my coffee
For residential installations, a trap should be in the suction line if the condensing unit is 4 feet or more above the evaporator coil. This keeps refrigerant oil from pooling at the coil.
Originally Posted By: cbottger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Blaine was right P-traps are used in freon suction lines for returning oil to the compressor from the evaporator coils where the condenser sets higher than the coil used primarily on light commercial refrigeration units such as walk in coolers and freezers. As a HVAC mech if I was having oil return problems when the A/C furnace A-coil was located in a basement with a long return to the condensing unit at ground level I would install a P-trap to help resolve the problem especially if I had to warranty the compressor.
No they do not teach this in HI school I just was trying to liven this thread
up as we are in the heating season and the talk is somewhat flat and thought I might try a little question and answer session perhaps someone might learn something and perhaps I might learn something.
I am thinking don't you smell the wood burning. Next question to be posted tomorrow. Perhaps someone would like to post a question of their own.
-- Don't argue with an idiot someone watching may not be able to tell the difference.
Originally Posted By: Wayne Dean This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
1. The terminus, far end, of the condensate line may be in an area with contaminants. Because the close end is within a negatively pressurized air handler cabinet, it will tend to draw air through the condensate line from the terminus. The p-trap tries to prevent such airflow. Our experience is that sometimes the terminus is located within a drywell designed to dispose of the condensate. However, being underground, the drywell will collect radon. We have seen cases where a condensate line p-trap dried out and radon levels in the home went above the USEPA Action Level. When the p-trap had water in it, the radon problem was solved. Substitute any other gas or contaminant for radon. The p-trap makes good sense.
2. Without a p-trap, there can be a substantial airflow through the condensate line. Such airflow may be sufficient to prevent drainage of condensate from the condensate pan in some cases.
I will send you a star for the right answer.
