Rheem/Ruud Heat Pump: RPNE/UPNE
Re: Low Pressure Lockout - COOLING
Units with model numbers ending in "JAZ" have an advanced defrost control with separate Low and High Pressure inputs and two diagnostic LED's.
A Low Pressure Lockout is indicated by the following LED pattern on the defrost board: LED 1 = ON, LED 2 = Flashing
The Low Pressure Control is an auto-reset type that opens at approximately 7 psig and closes at approximately 22 psig.
COOLING LOCKOUT: If the Low Pressure control opens 3 times during a single call for cooling, the defrost control will enter a Hard Lockout.
LOCKOUT RESET:
- Cycle Low Voltage Power to the Defrost Control
- Short the two TEST pins
Qty |
Possible Causes: |
|
Low Refrigerant Charge |
1 |
Bad Indoor Expansion Valve |
|
Bad Low Pressure Switch |
|
Low/No Airflow |
|
Cold Outdoor Air |
|
Cold Return Air |
CHECKOUT:
1. Check Low Pressure Switch
- At the defrost board, check for 24VAC between each "LO-PS" terminal and "C".
- Power on Both Terminals = Switch Closed → Step 2. Check Pressures
- Power on One Terminal Only = Switch Open ⇒ Connect Refrigerant Gauges and check standing pressures.
- Low Standing Pressure (less than 30psig) = Loss of Refrigerant / Low Refrigerant Charge
- High Standing Pressure + Open Low Pressure Control = Bad Low Pressure Switch or Broken Wire
2. Check Refrigerant Pressures
- Hook-up refrigerant gauges to the pressure ports on the unit.
- Reset the unit if necessary.
- Allow the unit to run for 5-10 minutes.
- Monitor pressures as the system operates.
- Normal R410a Suction Pressure = 100 - 150 psig
- Normal R22 Suction Pressure = 60 - 80 psig
3. Check Superheat and Sub-Cooling
- Superheat
- Check the Suction Line Temperature near the outdoor unit.
- Record the "Evaporation Temperature" from the Suction pressure gauge.
- Superheat = Suction Line Temperature - Evaporation Temperature
- Normal Superheat = 8 - 18 deg.
- Sub-Cooling
- Check the Liquid Line Temperature near the outdoor unit.
- Record "Saturation Temperature" from the discharge pressure gauge.
- Sub-Cooling = Saturation Temp - Liquid Line Temp
- Normal Sub-Cooling = 3 - 12 deg. (Sight-Glass Clear)
- Low Suction Pressure + High Superheat + High Sub-Cooling = Bad Expansion Valve
- Low Suction Pressure + Low Superheat + High Sub-Cooling = Low Indoor Heat Transfer
- Low Suction Pressure + High Superheat + Low Sub-Cooling = Low Refrigerant Charge or Low Outdoor Air Temperature
4. Check Indoor Temperature Drop
- Check the Return Air Temperature at the air handler or furnace.
Return Air Temperature below 64 deg. will cause low pressure issues.
- Check the Supply Air Temperature
- Temperature Drop = Return Air Temperature - Supply Air Temperature
- Normal Temperature Drop = 15 - 20 deg.
- Low Temperature Drop = Bad Expansion Valve or Low Refrigerant Charge
- High Temperature Drop = Low Heat Transfer