
1-6
T--295
Low Pressure Switch (LPS)
The low pressure switch is installed in the compressor
and opens on a pressure drop to shut down the system
whena low pressurecondition occurs. Inaddition, ifthe
control monitors a pressure less than 10 psig (0.68
bar)by the suction pressure transducer mounted in the
evaporator section, the system will be shut down for at
least one minute.
b. Fuses and Circuit Breakers
The Relay Board is protected against high current by an
OEM supplied 150 amp fuse. Independent 15 amp
circuit breakers protect each motor while the output
circuits are protected by an additional 15 amp circuit
breaker. During ahigh current condition, thebreaker (or
OEM fuse) may open. When power is removed from a
device, a breaker alarm will be generated.
c. Ambient Lockout
The ambient temperature sensor located in the
condenser section measures the condenser inlet air
temperature. When the temperature is below the cut out
set point the compressor is locked out until the
temperature rises above thecut in setting. The setpoints
maybeprogrammedtocutoutat45F7.2C)andcutin
at 50F10C) or cut out at 25 F--3.9C) and cut in at
45F7.2C) in accordance with bus purchase
specification. This setting protects the compressor from
damage caused by operation at low pressures.
1.7 AIR FLOW
The paths for ambient air through the condenser and
coach air through the evaporator are illustrated in
Figure 1-5.
1.8 AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERATION
CYCLE
When air conditioning (cooling) is selected by the
controller, the unit operates as a vapor compression
system using R-134a as a refrigerant (see Figure 1-6).
The main components of the system are the
reciprocating compressor, air-cooled condenser coils,
receiver, filter-drier, thermostatic expansion valve,
liquid line solenoid valve and evaporator coils.
The compressor raises the pressure and the temperature
of the refrigerant and forces it into the condensertubes.
The condenser fan circulates surrounding air (which is
at a temperature lower than the refrigerant) over the
outside of the condenser tubes. Heat transfer is
established from the refrigerant (inside the tubes) to the
condenser air (flowing over the tubes). The condenser
tubes have fins designed to improve the transfer ofheat
from the refrigerant gas to the air; this removal of heat
causes the refrigerant to liquefy, thus liquid refrigerant
leaves the condenser and flows to the receiver.
The receiver serves as a liquid refrigerant reservoir so
that a constant supply of liquid is available to the
evaporators as needed, and acts as a storage space when
pumping down the system. The receiver is equipped
with sight glasses to observe the refrigerant for
restricted flow and correct charge level.
The refrigerant leaves the receiver and passes through
the receiver outlet/service valve, through a filter-drier
where an absorbent keeps the refrigerant clean and dry.
From the filter-drier, the liquid refrigerant then flows
through the liquid line solenoid valve to the
thermostatic expansion valve. the thermal expansion
valve reducepressure and temperature of the liquidand
meters the flow of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator to
obtain maximum use of the evaporator heat transfer
surface.
Thelowpressure,lowtemperatureliquidthatflowsinto
the evaporator tubes is colder than the air that is
circulated over the evaporator tubes by the evaporator
fans (fans). Heat transfer is established from the
evaporatorair(flowingoverthe tubes)to the refrigerant
(flowing inside the tubes). The evaporator tubes have
aluminum fins to increase heat transfer from the air to
the refrigerant; therefore the cooler air is circulated to
the interior of the bus. Liquid line solenoid valve closes
during shutdown to prevent refrigerant flow.
The transfer of heat from the air to the low temperature
liquid refrigerant in the evaporator causes the liquid to
vaporize. This low temperature, low pressure vapor
passes through the suction line and returns to the
compressor where the cycle repeats.
2. FROM COACH
3. THROUGH EVAPORATOR
4. THROUGH FAN
5. RETURN TO COACH
1. FROM AMBIENT
2. THROUGH CONDENSER
3. THROUGH FAN 4. RETURN TO AMBIENT
1. FROM DAMPER
(IF ACTIVE)
CONDENSER AIR FLOW
EVAPORATOR
AIR
FLOW
Figure 1-5. Air Flow Paths