Standard for Remote Type Refrigerant-cooled Liquid Coolers

ARI Standard 480: Standard for Remote Type Refrigerant-cooled Liquid Coolers

When designing or specifying systems that rely on precise temperature control for liquids, understanding the performance and testing parameters of refrigerant-cooled liquid coolers is paramount. ARI Standard 480 provides the authoritative framework for evaluating these essential components, ensuring consistency and reliability across the industry.

What is ARI Standard 480?

ARI Standard 480, formally the "Standard for Remote Type Refrigerant-cooled Liquid Coolers," is a comprehensive document developed by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI). Its primary purpose is to establish uniform definitions, testing procedures, rating requirements, and conformance conditions for remote-type liquid coolers that utilize refrigerants. This standard ensures that engineers and manufacturers have a common understanding of product performance.

Scope & Purpose

This industry-leading standard governs the testing, rating, and published performance data for remote-type refrigerant-cooled liquid coolers. It specifically applies to shell-and-tube, shell-and-U-tube, shell-and-coil, and tube-in-tube designs using single component and azeotropic refrigerants. Excluded from its scope are liquid coolers integrated into factory-assembled liquid-chilling packages, Baudelot-type coolers, open tank/coil/shell coolers, and drinking-water coolers covered by other ARI standards. It also does not address sanitary provisions for potable liquids or coolers using zeotropic refrigerants.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: HVAC Engineers, Refrigeration Technicians, Product Designers, and Test Engineers.
• • Industries affected: HVAC Manufacturing, Industrial Process Cooling, and Commercial Building Services.
• • Compliance nature: While ARI standards are generally voluntary, adherence is often a de facto requirement for product specification and competitive bidding within affected industries.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is typically verified through product testing and the accuracy of published ratings by manufacturers.

Key Requirements Overview

ARI Standard 480 outlines several core requirements for manufacturers and specifiers:

• • Standardized Definitions: The standard provides precise definitions for key terms, ensuring clarity in communication regarding cooler operation and performance.
• • Test Procedures: It mandates testing procedures, often referencing complementary ASHRAE standards, to ensure consistent evaluation of liquid cooler performance.
• • Rating Conditions: Professionals must ensure that published ratings are based on clearly defined "Standard Rating Conditions" and "Application Rating Conditions" as specified in the document.
• • Published Ratings: Manufacturers are required to provide minimum data for published ratings, including net refrigerating capacity, and clearly indicate whether ratings are based on clean tubes or account for fouling allowances.
• • Marking and Nameplate Data: The standard specifies essential information that must be clearly marked on the unit, facilitating proper identification and application.

Related Standards & References

To fully implement ARI Standard 480, engineers and designers will often refer to complementary standards. ASHRAE Standard 24 is frequently referenced for its detailed test procedures, providing the practical methodology for performance verification. Additionally, understanding refrigerant properties and system design principles outlined in other relevant ASHRAE handbooks and standards is crucial for accurate application and integration of these liquid coolers.