WHAT IS CAPILLARY TUBES

Capillary tubes are the simplest simple refrigerant measuring mechanism utilized in various types of
equipment. One of the most widely utilized throttling components in refrigeration and air conditioning
systems is the capillary tube. The copper capillary tube has an extremely tiny internal diameter. It has a
very lengthy length and is coiled in several directions to take up less room.

How Does Capillary Tube Work?

Because to the capillary's extremely tiny diameter, the pressure of the refrigerant decreases dramatically
when it exits the condenser and enters the tube. In the capillary, the reduction in pressure of the
refrigerant takes place due to the narrow hole of the capillary.

As the capillary tube cannot be adjusted, it cannot be used to regulate the flow of refrigerant like an
automated throttling valve can. Hence, the refrigerant flow would alter in response to changes in the
environment. The capillary tube was created with certain environmental conditions in mind because of
this. Nonetheless, if it is chosen correctly, it can function pretty effectively under a variety of
circumstances.

Capillary Tube Function

The refrigerant is actually metered from the condenser to the evaporator through the capillary tube. The
capillary tube assists in maintaining the required pressure difference for proper system performance by
limiting and metering the flow of liquid to the evaporator. The two parts of the refrigeration system that
divide the high side from the low side are the capillary tube and compressor.

When the load is essentially constant, the capillary tube is used. Capillary tubes are used as the throttling
device in domestic refrigerators, deep freezers, water coolers, and air conditioners.

Capillary Tube Size

The capillary tube's size is quite important. Unlike orifices, such as expansion valve seats, capillary tubes
depend on their length as well as their diameter to determine their overall limitation. A capillary tube
typically has an inside diameter of 0.5-2.28 mm and is between 1-6 meters long (0.020–0.09 inches).

A relative change in diameter has a greater impact on flow than a corresponding change in length.
Altering the capillary tub's length or width also changes the restriction. The longer the tube, the slower
the flow; the shorter the tube, the faster the flow.

Advantages Of The Capillary Tube

The capillary tube is a fairly simple tool that is cheap to produce and easy to make.

The capillary tube has no moving components. It doesn't require maintenance as a result.

The receiver is not necessary in these systems since the capillary tube restricts the amount of refrigerant
that can be charged into the refrigeration system at one time.

The capillary tube offers an open connection between the condenser and the evaporator consequently
during off-cycle, pressure equalization happens between condenser and evaporator. This decreases the
starting torque need of the motor since the motor begins with the same pressure on the two sides of the
compressor.

Disadvantages Of The Capillary Tube

These valves are unable to modify their flow in response to changes in ambient temperature and load.

Due to the tube's tiny bore, which makes it prone to clogging, extreme caution must be used when
assembling it. Before the capillary, a filter-drier should be utilized to block the entry of any solid particles
or moisture.