Standard for Performance Rating of Liquid-Line Filters

ARI Standard 715: Standard for Performance Rating of Liquid-Line Filters

Ensuring the reliability and efficiency of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems hinges on the performance of critical components. For HVACR engineers and designers, understanding and implementing the benchmarks set by ARI Standard 715 is essential for selecting and specifying high-quality liquid-line filters. This authoritative standard provides a proven framework for evaluating and rating these vital components.

What is ARI Standard 715?

ARI Standard 715, developed by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), establishes a comprehensive set of guidelines for the performance rating of liquid-line filters. Its primary purpose is to define consistent testing procedures, rating methodologies, and data requirements, enabling objective comparison and selection of filters for various refrigeration and air-conditioning applications.

Scope & Purpose

This industry-leading standard specifically governs the evaluation of hermetic liquid-line filters designed for use in the liquid refrigerant lines of all types of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. It provides a definitive means of determining a filter's overall efficiency in removing solid contaminants and its capacity to retain those contaminants under defined operating conditions. Importantly, this standard excludes filters intended for suction lines and does not cover the performance of moisture, acid, or dissolved contaminant removal, which are addressed by separate standards.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: HVACR Engineers, Product Development Engineers, Component Engineers, Test Technicians, and Quality Control Inspectors.
• • Industries affected: HVACR Manufacturing, Refrigeration Component Suppliers, System Design and Integration firms.
• • Compliance nature: Voluntary, though widely adopted as a benchmark for product performance and market comparability.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is typically self-declared by manufacturers based on testing conducted according to the standard's provisions. Industry acceptance and customer requirements often drive adherence.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard outlines several core requirements designed to ensure consistent and reliable filter performance ratings:

• • The standard mandates specific definitions for key performance metrics such as Overall Filter Efficiency and Contaminant Capacity.
• • Professionals must ensure that testing procedures align with recognized industry methods, such as those detailed in ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 63.2.
• • Key provisions include defining standard rating conditions (temperature, flow rate, and end-point pressure drop) for comparable performance evaluation.
• • Manufacturers are required to establish ratings that represent a high probability (e.g., 90%) of being met or exceeded by production units.
• • Clear requirements are set for marking and nameplate data, ensuring that critical performance information is readily available to users.

Related Standards & References

ARI Standard 715 works in conjunction with other foundational engineering documents:

• • ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 63.2: This standard is referenced for the detailed procedures used to conduct the actual filter testing, ensuring a standardized approach to measuring efficiency and capacity.
• • ANSI/ASME B16.22: This standard is referenced for the dimensional specifications of tubing connections, ensuring mechanical compatibility and ease of installation.
• • ARI Standard 710: For systems that also incorporate moisture removal capabilities, ARI Standard 710 provides the complementary rating standard for drier performance, distinguishing it from the solid contaminant focus of Standard 715.