You must admit that an air conditioner can make life much easier, make it much more comfortable. In summer, it will provide coolness and a pleasant sleep, and in winter it will help to keep warm. But how do you make a worthwhile choice? After all, the modern market offers thousands of models of climatic technology. For example, the trend of recent years is a multi split system, what is it, how does it differ from similar air conditioning systems?
If you listen to reviews about multi-splits, you can hear diametrically opposed opinions. Someone is delighted, but someone's hopes are clearly not justified. Why it happens? As a rule, due to a misunderstanding of the principle of operation and technical features of the system as a whole, or due to improper installation and connection.
Let's try to figure out what a multi-split system is and how it works. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of this technique and talk about the intricacies of equipment installation.
The content of the article:
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What is a multi-split system?
- External block of the air conditioning system
- Indoor units of multi-air conditioner
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The principle of operation of a multi-split system
- The advantages of a multi-system
- Disadvantages of the climate system
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Air conditioning installation
- Hardware installation process
- Frequent installation mistakes
- Conclusions and useful video on the topic
What is a multi-split system?
A multi split system is a special climatic equipment designed for air conditioning and maintaining certain climatic parameters of air in rooms for various purposes. Consists of at least three elements.
There is always one outside condensing unit, which is installed outdoors, outside and attached to the facade of the building. And at least two internal evaporator modules, which, in fact, cool / heat the air.
Despite the fact that the operation of all air conditioners in the network depends on one external unit, each of them is autonomous in its settings and regulation. To control each module, its own remote control is provided, with which you can set your own, different from other parameters of the air conditioning mode. It is only important that all devices work either for cooling or for heating. Otherwise, the entire system may malfunction.
When installing this air conditioning system, it is necessary to take into account both the totality of the characteristics of all its devices, and the technical capabilities of each of them.
External block of the air conditioning system
The main feature of the external module is its power. The capacity of one unit must ensure the normal operation of all indoor devices in one climatic mode.
As a rule, it is difficult to calculate it yourself, since the calculation is carried out on a differentiated scale. But for an approximate determination of the power rating, you just need to add up the indicators of each indoor unit. The resulting amount should be equal to the power of the external.
But the result of this calculation will be relative, because the following values were not included in it:
- refrigeration capacity;
- operating modes;
- area of premises;
- climatic features of the region.
There are models of already assembled multi-split systems. In them, the performance of the outdoor unit already implies the load of a fixed number of indoor modules.
After the purchase, the system is already ready for installation - no need to calculate anything else.
The condensing unit is a key part of any split system. It provides heating and cooling of air. It is a housing containing a compressor, condenser, fan, valves, filter drier, as well as capillary tubes and expansion coils
The advantage of typesetting systems is the ability to choose different types of air conditioners for any of the rooms.
This may be relevant when the purpose of these premises presupposes the presence of different volumes and air conditioning tasks. In this case, the development of the air conditioning system project should be entrusted to professionals.
Indoor units of multi-air conditioner
The internal devices of a multi-split system are de facto no different from ordinary ones. The only difference is in their number and the possibility of using several types of modules at once within the same network.
This system makes it possible to use a device that is optimally suitable in terms of power, functionality and aesthetic parameters for each room. For example, by installing a cassette module in the trading floor, and a wall-mounted module in the adjacent office
Types of air conditioners that can be used in the operation of the system:
- wall-mounted;
- cassette;
- duct;
- columnar;
- floor and ceiling.
The multi system makes it possible to use several types of internal devices without cluttering the facade with compressor and condenser boxes.
The principle of operation of a multi-split system
Technically, the operation of a multi-split system and two-component split system is the same, since each internal device has its own, separately dedicated trunkleading to the outdoor unit.
Heating and cooling is provided due to the phase transitions of the refrigerant from liquid to gaseous state and vice versa, due to pressure and temperature differences.
When freon is converted from liquid to gas, the air in the room is cooled, and the reverse process releases heat.
The principle of operation of the KKB air conditioner is always the same for all split devices of this power level. But, depending on the model, the unit can be distinguished by separate, accompanying characteristics - noise and power levels.
The movement of the refrigerant from the outdoor unit to the internal ones goes through two-pipe ducts. This technical feature also explains the main disadvantage of multi-split systems - the impossibility of simultaneous operation of air conditioners in different modes. Only heating or only cooling.
The advantages of a multi-system
The demand for multi-split systems can be easily explained.
Their most important advantages:
- Aesthetics. There is no need to clutter up the facade or walls of the house with the outer box clearance boxes, one for each indoor device. One or two are enough, capable of providing the necessary microclimate indicators for the necessary rooms of an apartment or private house.
- Each air conditioner is adjusted remotely by an individual control panel.
- Possibility of choosing air conditioners of different types to work in one system. So you can choose the optimal device for each room.
- Maximum insulation. Since the main source of noise - the condensing unit is mounted outside, and it is one - the noise of operating air conditioners, even with open windows, is practically inaudible.
Moreover, the cost of such a multi-system is not much more expensive than an ordinary one.
Most users say that the main advantage of the system is a wide range of operating temperatures. This allows you to configure the equipment to operate in the desired temperature range.
The combination of these advantages is often a very strong argument in favor of choosing a multi-split system. Even in spite of its obvious and not very shortcomings.
Disadvantages of the climate system
A multi split system is not ideal. She has her drawbacks that must be taken into account.
This is primarily:
- complex installation. From each air conditioner it is necessary to conduct its own channel to the outdoor unit;
- higher price for equipment installation;
- impossibility of simultaneous operation of air conditioners of the system in different modes. For example, in one room to warm the air, and in another to cool.
There are drawbacks in any device. But, for example, choosing a compressor invector type and by installing it an order of magnitude lower than the internal modules, you can significantly reduce the amount of electricity consumed during the operation of the system, without losing its performance.
Air conditioning installation
Regardless of which building (wooden, brick) is produced system installation, it is better to order these works to specialists.
Often the installation of an entire multi-system is not only a responsible business, but also quite dangerous. This is especially true for the installation of KKB in apartments on the upper floors of high-rise buildings.
The efficiency of the entire system will depend on how much the technology of laying each of the channels is observed and taking into account the peculiarities of the selected types of indoor modules.
As a standard, the entire workflow can be divided into stages:
- Drawing up a project - the location of all the main units and components of the system, the location of the laying of the main line and electrical wiring.
- Markup.
- Installation of electrical wiring.
- Installing / fixing the box of the outdoor unit to the wall.
- Line laying.
- Installation of internal modules of the system.
- Filling the system with freon.
After connecting the multi-split system, testing of all its performance indicators is mandatory.
Hardware installation process
When the project is ready, the process of installing the multisystem equipment begins, as well as the laying and connection of communications.
First of all, the external unit is attached to the external wall on brackets at a distance of no more than 20 meters from the internal modules. This is an average value; for each unit of the system from different manufacturers, its own, maximum permissible distance from the compressor-condensing unit is provided.
Having fixed the block on the wall, a place is marked where communications will be taken out of it - drainage, inter-block and power cables, two copper pipes from each indoor module in isolation.
The next step is to mark the direction of the output location with a slight slope. When the drainage outlet is provided to the street, the average slope is calculated in the range of 5 mm for each meter of the entire length of the route.
A hole is drilled in the outer wall with a diameter of at least 50 mm (the more indoor units, the wider). When planning the removal of drainage inside the room, into the sewage system, the hole is also made with a slight slope down to the siphon. When connecting the drain to the sewer riser, it is necessary to use siphons with a water seal. This is necessary to exclude the very possibility of the penetration of sewer "odors" from the air conditioning system, and, consequently, the spread of unnecessary odors throughout the house.
Along the marking lines, a slitting is carried out for laying the highway or a decorative box is applied along the entire length to the junction.
When laying the drainage system, you must adhere to the norms:
- the slope of the horizontal sections should be 3%;
- turns and bends of the hose should not exceed 45º.
The cable laying from the KKB should go directly to the switchboard. This is the most optimal option for energy distribution - it gives a certain autonomy of the system, making it independent of the work and energy consumption of other household appliances.
In addition, from the point of view of aesthetics, it allows you not to clutter up the walls with cables, sockets, cords and plugs. And from the point of view of convenience, external units in each room will be switched on directly from the remote control.
Having installed the blocks of indoor modules, the commissioning works themselves begin. All communications are connected to the equipment modules, the flare nuts are tightened firmly, with force to achieve the required level of tightness of the connection.
When all the elements of the system are connected, and it is already closed, air and water are pumped out from the freon mains of the network.
The final actions of the installers are opening the external ports of the equipment, starting the refrigerant and testing the air conditioning system - checking operation in all modes at the power limit equipment.
Frequent installation mistakes
It so happens that, having read the installation instructions from the manufacturer, the owners of not yet installed multi-split systems entrust this work to amateurs.
In 90% of cases, this solution leads to installation errors:
- Installation of the external unit of the air conditioner in the same plane with the internal devices - reduces the performance of the entire system, increases energy consumption.
- Installation of the compressor on the wall of a glazed balcony - lack of air for heat exchange.
- Bending of the pipes of the line through which the refrigerant circulates - a decrease in throughput, an increase in the load on the compressor.
- Installation of internal modules of the system over heating radiators or other heating devices.
- Poor quality of the rolling joint - the system will very quickly lose freon.
Not all installation errors are listed, because it happens that the system is not refilled with refrigerant, or the slope is incorrectly calculated, etc.
Therefore, savings on installation can lead to a quick breakdown of the air conditioners in the system.
Specialists of the service center or a reliable company whose profile is the installation and maintenance of the air conditioner can be guaranteed correctly install KKB, but they will also try to make it look beautiful and not cause complaints from the neighbors below (if the air conditioner is installed in multi-storey building). After all, not everyone will like the condensation dripping from above.
In order for the installation to be reliable, and the system to work properly, it is necessary to use specialized equipment during installation and have professional knowledge and skills.
This will ensure the durability and efficiency of the air conditioning in accordance with the manufacturer's stated parameters. In addition, service centers provide a guarantee for the quality of their work. Therefore, if something goes wrong, they will be obliged to correct the installation errors at their own expense.
The problems listed above are the first signs of a device malfunction. Specialists of air conditioning service services recommend that if problems are found, immediately contact specialized organizations for diagnostics and repair.
A problem detected in a timely manner can be solved with a small repair or replacement of a part. Ignoring it can lead to a rapid development of a resource and breakdown of the entire system.
Conclusions and useful video on the topic
The principle of operation of a multi-split system is presented in the following video:
Comparison of split and multi-split systems can be seen in the following video:
The choice of an air conditioning system, especially in living quarters, is a responsible business. After all, any device has its own characteristics and technical capabilities.
The main thing to remember before making a responsible decision is the need to part with pink glasses and boldly look at the advantages and disadvantages of the system you like. Indeed, depending on the needs of the user, they can change places and from a minus to a plus and vice versa.
If you have any experience of using a multi-split system, please share it with our users.