Installation Water Piping

a. Vessels with close-coupled shutoff valves may cause high potentially damaging
hydrostatic pressures as fluid temperature rises.
b. Relief valves are required by American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) codes
when the shell waterside is ASME. Follow ASME guidelines or other applicable codes to
assure proper relief valve installation.

Strainers
CAUTION
Tube Damage!
Failure to install strainers in all water piping entering the chiller can result in tube plugging
conditions that damage unit components.
Install a strainer in the entering side of each piping circuit to avoid possible tube plugging in the
chiller with debris.

Flow-Sensing Devices
Use either flow switches or differential pressure switches in conjunction with the pump interlocks
to verify evaporator and condenser water flows.
To assure adequate chiller protection, wire the chilled-water and condenser-water flow switches in
series with the appropriate water pump interlock. Refer to the wiring diagrams that shipped with
the unit for specific electrical connections.
Unless stated otherwise, all flow sensing devices must be field supplied. Be sure to follow the
manufacturers recommendations for device selection and installation.
Figure 8.

Flow switch installation

1.
2.

2
3

3.
4.
5.

flow switch body

1 pipe size larger bushing to avoid paddle
interference
pipe couping
flow switch paddle
5 pipe diameters (no turns or fittings)

Also, review the general flow switch installation guidelines listed below.
1. Mount the flow switch upright in horizontal section of pipe. Allow at least five pipe diameters
of straight, horizontal run on each side of the switch. Avoid locations adjacent to elbows,
orifices and valves whenever possible.
2. To assure that the flow switch operates as designed, adjust the length of the flow switch paddle
to compensate for the pipe diameter and the height of the coupling tee used to install the
switch.
3. Install the flow switch using a coupling that is large enough to allow the insertion of a bushing
one pipe diameter larger than the flow switch base (Figure 8). This will prevent interference
with the flow switch paddle.
4. Verify that the direction-of-flow arrow on the switch points in the same direction as actual water
flow through the piping circuit.
5. Remove all air from the piping circuit to prevent possible flow switch fluttering.
6. Adjust the flow switch to open when water flow is less than normal.
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Installation Water Piping

CAUTION
Proof of Flow Switch!
Evaporator and condenser water circuits require proof of flow switches. Failure to provide flow
switches or jumping-out of switches may result in severe equipment damage.
Evaporator and condenser proof of flow switches (either flow or Delta-P) are required in series with
the pump contactor auxiliary shown on wiring diagrams. These switches are used with control
logic to confirm flow prior to starting a unit and to stop a running unit if flow is lost. For trouble
shooting, a viewable diagnostic is generated if a proof of flow switch does not close when flow is
required. Failure to include the condenser proof of flow switch and jumping out this switch could
cause the unit to stop on a secondary level of protection such as high condenser pressure. Frequent
cycling on these higher level diagnostic devices could cause excessive thermal and pressure
cycling of unit components (O-rings, gaskets, sensors, motors, controls, etc.) resulting in
premature failure.

Evaporator and Condenser Water Piping

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the typical water piping arrangements recommended for the evaporator
and condenser.
Note: Piping must be arranged and supported to avoid stress on the equipment. It is strongly
recommended that the piping contractor refrain from piping closer than 3 feet (.91 m)
minimum to the equipment. This will allow for proper fit-up upon arrival of the unit at the
job site. Any adjustment that is necessary can be made to the piping at that time. Expenses
that result from a failure to follow this recommendation will not be paid by Trane.
Water piping connection sizes are identified in Table 2, Table 3, and Table 4. Remember that with
many waterboxes the entering and leaving evaporator water can be piped to either water box
connection when the tube bundles are split vertically. However, large evaporator waterboxes, with
entering and leaving connections not at the same level, must be connected with the entering water
at the bottom and the leaving water at the top.

IMPORTANT
Water flows must be piped in accordance with nameplate designation.
Note: Assure that the evaporator water piping is clear, check it after the chilled water pump is
operated but before initial chiller start-up. If any partial blockages exist, they can be detected
and removed to prevent possible tube damage resulting from evaporator freeze-up or
erosion.
Note: For condenser and large evaporator connections, arrange the water piping so that the water
supply enters the shell at the lower connection, and exits from the top connection.
(Operational problems may result if this is not obeyed) Some shells may be piped as desired
since both connections are at the same level.
For applications that include an infinite source or multiple-use, cooling condenser water
supply, install a valved bypass leg (optional) between the supply and return pipes. This valved
bypass allows the operator to short-circuit water flow through the cooling condenser when the
supply water temperature is too low.
See Condenser Water Temperature Control for CenTraVac Centrifugal Chiller Systems Engineering Bulletin (CTV-PRB006-EN) for additional application information.
Note: System refrigerant pressure differential must be maintained above 3 PSID (21 kPa) at all
times. Failure to do so could result in operating problems.
Note: Whenever a CVHE, CVHF and CVHG unit is equipped with an auxiliary condenser, use a
bypass valve system to avoid circulating water through the auxiliary shell during unit
shutdown.

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Installation Water Piping

Water Box Locations

If necessary, the non-marine-style water boxes on each shell whether evaporator or condenser can
be switched end-for-end to obtain the desired piping arrangement. Contact Trane Chiller Marketing
for switching of marine-style boxes.
Note: Do not exchange positions of marine-style water boxes. Failure to follow this
recommendation could alter designed water flow piping configuration and prevent proper
unit operation.
If removal of waterboxes is necessary, refer to the waterbox removal section of this manual.
If the water boxes on any of the shells are exchanged end-for-end, be sure to reinstall them right
side up to maintain the correct baffle arrangements. Use a new gasket with each water box cover.

Water Piping Connections

Figure 9.

Typical evaporator water piping circuit

1. Balancing Valve
2. Gate (Isolation) Valve or
Ball Valve

outlet
2

3. Thermometer
(If field supplied)

4. Flanged Connection 1/2

[13 mm] NPT Couplings

10

5. Drain, Vent, Anode

7. Chilled Water Flow Switch

(5S1)

inlet
6

6. Strainer
9. Pump

Note:

10. Pressure Gauge

1. Flow switch 5S1 (Item __in Legend of Components) may be installed in either the entering or leaving leg
of the chilled water circuit.
2. It is recommended to pipe the gauge between entering and leaving pipes. A shutoff valve on each side of
the gauge allows the operator to read either entering or leaving water pressure.

Figure 10. Typical condenser water piping circuits

1. Balancing Valve
2. Gate (Isolation) Valve or
Ball Valve

outlet
4

3. Thermometer
(If field supplied)

4. Flanged Connection 1/2

[13 mm] NPT Couplings

10

5. Drain, Vent, Anode

6. Strainer

inlet
4

7. Condenser Water Flow Switch

8. 3-Way Valve (Optional)
9. Condenser Water Pump

Note:

CVHE-SVX02A-EN

10. Pressure Gauge

1. The Flow Switch 5S2 (Item __ in Legend of Components) may be installed in either the entering or leaving
leg of the chilled water circuit.
2. It is recommended to pipe a single gauge between entering and leaving pipes.
3. Some type of field-supplied temperature control device may be required to regulate the temperature of the
heat-recovery condenser water circuit. For application recommendations, see Trane Application Manual, AMFND-8, titled Heat-Recovery Engineering Seminar.
4. Install a bypass valve system to avoid circulating water through the auxiliary shell when the unit is shut down.
5. On multiple pass condensers, entering condenser water must enter at the lowest nozzle.

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