Split AC System Trainer | PolarX – 552
The Split AC System Trainer PolarX-552 is a refrigeration and air conditioning laboratory unit for engineering education, built around a real 18000 BTU (1.5 ton) commercial split system air conditioner mounted on a dividing wall. This split AC system trainer supports six operating modes (cooling, heating, dehumidifying, ventilation, automatic, test) and three remote control functions (sleep, swing, 24-hour timer), with a cooling capacity of approx. 3.3 kW, heating capacity of approx. 3.4 kW, and dehumidification rate of approx. 0.8 L/h. Six Type-K temperature sensors (-40 to 400°C), two pressure gauges (-1 to 16 bar suction, -1 to 25 bar delivery), a 1.2 L liquid receiver, filter drier, pressure safety switch, and digital multifunctional power meter (0 to 500 V, 0 to 40 A) provide complete instrumentation. Optional LabVIEW-based Software PX-552 and a refrigerant leakage detector are available as accessories.
The Split AC System Trainer PolarX – 552 demonstrates the design and operation of a commercial split system air conditioner used to heat, cool, and dehumidify spaces. This Split AC System Trainer illustrates the split principle using a dividing wall with a mounted air conditioner unit on its front and back panels.
Product Overview Split AC systems consist of an inner and an outer unit. The inner unit contains a heat exchanger with a fan that operates as an evaporator during cooling and functions as a condenser during heating. The outer unit houses a compressor, another heat exchanger, an expansion element such as a capillary tube, and a switch that converts cooling to heating operation.
During cooling, the evaporating refrigerant in the inner unit’s heat exchanger removes heat from the room air. The refrigerant then condenses in the outer unit, releasing heat into the surrounding air. During heating, the direction of heat transfer is reversed. This Split AC System Trainer includes two additional pressure displays for the refrigerant to further demonstrate this operation.
A remote control selects the operating mode, fan stage of the inner unit, and desired room temperature. During automated operation, the actual room temperature is recorded, and a mode of operation is automatically chosen to maintain the desired room temperature. The remote control also manages a timer with a single remaining running period in hours (sleep mode, suitable for energy-saving operation), a regular on/off switch, and a horizontally positioned grill at the air exit for air distribution (swing mode, fixed or movable).
Split AC System Trainer PolarX-552, Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model Reference | PolarX-552 |
| Category | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning |
| Unit Type | Commercial split system air conditioner |
| Capacity | 18000 BTU (1.5 Tons) |
| Cooling Capacity | Approx. 3.3 kW |
| Heating Capacity | Approx. 3.4 kW |
| Power Consumption (Cooling Mode) | Approx. 1.7 kW |
| Max. Volumetric Air Flow Rate (Inner Unit) | Approx. 420 m3/h |
| Dehumidification Rate (Inner Unit) | Approx. 0.8 L/h |
| Operating Modes | 6: Cooling, Heating, Dehumidifying, Ventilation, Automatic, Test |
| Additional Functions | Sleep, Swing, 24-hour Timer (via remote control) |
| Timer Range | Up to 24 hours |
| Suction Side Pressure Range | -1 to 16 bar |
| Delivery Side Pressure Range | -1 to 25 bar |
| Pressure Safety Switch | Suction side and delivery side |
| Temperature Sensors | 6 x Type-K, range -40 to 400°C |
| Liquid Receiver Capacity | 1.2 L |
| Liquid Receiver Max Working Pressure | 450 psig |
| Filter Drier Max Working Pressure | 450 psig |
| AC Volt Measurement Range | 0 to 500 V |
| AC Ampere Measurement Range | 0 to 40 A |
| Optional Accessory | Refrigerant Leakage Detector PolarX-552-01 |
| Optional Software | Software PX-552 (LabVIEW-based, Windows compatible) |
Technical Data
Cooling Mode
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Consumption | Approx. 1.7 kW |
| Cooling Capacity | Approx. 3.3 kW |
| Unit Capacity | 18000 BTU (1.5 Tons) |
| Max. Volumetric Air Flow Rate (Inner Unit) | Approx. 420 m3/h |
| Dehumidification Rate (Inner Unit) | Approx. 0.8 L/h |
Heating Mode
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Heating Capacity | Approx. 3.4 kW |
Pressure Gauges
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Suction Side (Low Pressure) | -1 to 16 bar |
| Delivery Side (High Pressure) | -1 to 25 bar |
Temperature Sensors
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Type-K |
| Range | -40 to 400°C |
| Quantity | 6 |
Liquid Receiver
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Working Pressure | 450 psig |
| Capacity | 1.2 L |
Filter Drier
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Working Pressure | 450 psig |
Digital Multifunctional Power Meter
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| AC Voltage Range | 0 to 500 V |
| AC Current Range | 0 to 40 A |
Timer
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Range | Up to 24 hours |
Key Features
- Unit Capacity: 18000 BTU (1.5 tons), cooling capacity approx. 3.3 kW, heating capacity approx. 3.4 kW on this split AC system trainer
- Six Operating Modes: cooling, heating, dehumidifying, ventilation, automatic, and test
- Three Remote Control Functions: sleep (timer-based switch-off), swing (fixed or movable air outlet grill), and 24-hour on/off timer
- Dividing Wall Construction: inner unit (evaporator, variable fan speed) and outer unit (forced air condenser, hermetic compressor, capillary expansion, reversing valve) mounted on front and back panels
- Pressure Monitoring: two manometers, suction side -1 to 16 bar, delivery side -1 to 25 bar
- Temperature Measurement: 6 x Type-K sensors, -40 to 400°C range
- Dehumidification Rate: approx. 0.8 L/h from inner unit
- Max. Volumetric Air Flow Rate: approx. 420 m3/h from inner unit
- Power Meter: digital multifunctional, 0 to 500 V AC and 0 to 40 A AC
- Pressure Safety Switch: suction side and delivery side compressor protection
- Liquid Receiver: 1.2 L capacity, 450 psig maximum working pressure
- Filter Drier: 450 psig maximum working pressure
- Optional Accessory: refrigerant leakage detector PolarX-552-01
- Optional Software: PX-552, LabVIEW-based DAQ software for measurement and results calculation on any Windows operating system
Experiments
- Design and operation of a split system air conditioner across 6 operating modes: cooling, heating, ventilation, automatic, dehumidifying, and test
- Test of cooling function with 3 additional remote control functions: sleep, swing, and timer
- Study of the main components of a split type AC system
- Removal and instrumentation of the refrigeration circuit
- Filling a refrigeration system and leak detection
- Refrigeration circuit as thermodynamic cycle, p-h diagram analysis
- Calculation of refrigeration capacity from the p-h diagram and comparison with measured values
- Calculation of coefficient of performance and compressor efficiency
- Simulation of system failure conditions
Construction and Design
The Split AC System Trainer PolarX-552 is built around a real commercial 18000 BTU (1.5 ton) split system air conditioner mounted on a dividing wall. The inner unit, housing the evaporator with variable fan speed, is mounted on the front panel. The outer unit, housing the forced air condenser, hermetic compressor, capillary tube expansion element, and heating/cooling reversing valve, is mounted on the back panel. This construction replicates the split principle as installed in a real building, with both units fully accessible for inspection and instrumentation. Two refrigerant manometers display suction side pressure (-1 to 16 bar) and delivery side pressure (-1 to 25 bar). Six Type-K temperature sensors across the circuit provide digital temperature monitoring over a -40 to 400°C range. A pressure safety switch on both suction and delivery sides protects the compressor. A 1.2 L liquid receiver and filter drier, both rated to 450 psig, are integrated into the high-pressure side of the refrigerant circuit. A digital multifunctional power meter measures AC voltage and current for power consumption analysis. Remote control operation selects operating mode, fan speed stage, desired room temperature, swing grill position, sleep timer, and the 24-hour on/off timer. This split AC system trainer interfaces with optional Software PX-552 developed in National Instruments LabVIEW for DAQ-based measurement and results calculation on any Windows operating system, with electronic sensors included when the software option is selected.
Software
Software PX-552 (Optional): DAQ software developed in National Instruments LabVIEW environment for measuring and calculating experimental results. Electronic sensors are included with the software option. Compatible with any Windows operating system.
Scope of Delivery
- 1 experimental module
- 1 instruction manual
Optional Accessories
- Refrigerant Leakage Detector PolarX-552-01
- Software PX-552 (LabVIEW-based, Windows compatible)
Q1: How many operating modes does the Split AC System Trainer PolarX-552 support?
Six operating modes are supported: cooling, heating, dehumidifying, ventilation, automatic, and test. Three additional functions are configurable via remote control: sleep, swing, and a 24-hour timer.
Q2: How does the dividing wall construction of this split AC system trainer work?
The dividing wall mounts the inner unit (evaporator with variable fan speed) on the front panel and the outer unit (forced air condenser, hermetic compressor, expansion element, and reversing valve) on the back panel, replicating the physical separation of a real split AC installation while keeping both units fully accessible.
Q3: What is the cooling and heating capacity of the PolarX-552?
Cooling capacity is approximately 3.3 kW and heating capacity is approximately 3.4 kW. The unit is rated at 18000 BTU (1.5 tons) with a power consumption of approximately 1.7 kW in cooling mode.
Q4: Can refrigerant leak detection be performed with the PolarX-552?
Yes. Leak detection is covered as part of the experiment programme. An optional refrigerant leakage detector (PolarX-552-01) is available as an accessory.
Q5: Is data acquisition software available for the PolarX-552?
Yes. Optional Software PX-552, developed in National Instruments LabVIEW, provides digital data acquisition, measurement, and results calculation. Electronic sensors are included when this option is selected, and the software runs on any Windows operating system.
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