Inverter compressors

Operating conditions for A/C systems in Europe

Fixed-speed solution
• The cooling system with the compressor is
Bin hours Ambient °C
dimensioned to meet peak load demand
250

• Peak load demand happens rarely during 40

the operation time 200

35

• Depending on country, a fixed speed 150

30
compressor (FS) operates at either 50 or 60
rps (revolutions per second) 100
25

• The FS will cycle to adjust to the cooling 50 20

demand at any given time

0

10 20 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 90 95 100 105 110 115 120 125

Part load ratio %
Bin hours Ambient temp

Source: EN14825

Cooling demand vs capacity

VS frequency % as data label
Variable speed solution

120,00

• The variable speed (VS) compressor

100,00
100% system is also dimensioned for peak load
Cooling demand/capacity [kW]

demand
80,00

60,00
64%
• The VS will lower the speed and thereby
the capacity yield to meet the required
40,00 25%
37%
demand at any given time
25%

20,00 • Because the VS operates at up to twice the

speed of an FS only the half swept volume is
0,00
15 20 25 30 35 40
requied
Ambient temperature [*C]

Cooling demand (setpoint) [kW] Cooling capacity FS [kW] Cooling capacity VS [kW]

Source: Danfoss Advanced System Simulation Services, A3S

Example of Piping

• Pipe dimensions ensuring correct velocities 0.5%

0.5%
0.5%
for oil return must be carefully calculated for Velocity = > 4 m/s

the whole speed range to enable sufficient

13 ft/s
System design

lubrication at all operating conditions

25 - 40 ft/s
Velocity = 8 - 12 m/s

• Oil return can be managed by a boost

feature in the controller/compressor drive.
25 - 40 ft/s
Velocity = 8 - 12 m/s

Active oil management systems and/or oil

separator are optionable 0.5%

• Together with a Danfoss micro channel heat

exchanger (MCHE) the VSC system can
reduce the system charge significantly

• Adapts and adjusts the speed to the

required capacity at any time.

• Prevents cycling with repeated energy

EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio) on a Chiller
consuming start-stops
Comparison between FS and VS

8.00 • Significant noise reduction

7.00
• No need for soft-start or star-delta switches
Benefits

6.00

5.00 • Low inrush current with variable speed

4.00
• Safe operation even with unstable power
3.00 grids
2.00
• Reduced temperature fluctuations
1.00

0,00
15 20 25 30 35 40 • Reduced refrigerant flow ensures optimal
Ambient temperature [*C] operating conditions for the evaporator and
Fixed-speed scroll compressors Variable-speed scroll compressors condenser

• When commissioning an inverter

compressor or condensing unit, please
follow instructions when connecting, setting,
Support

and adjusting the electronics.

For assistance, please refer to the manuals

found here.

• The Danfoss Compressor Drive (CDS) can

communicate via RS 485 to other control
units

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