1. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN
0976 – 6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, April (2013), © IAEME
178
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A AIR CONDITIONER
ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT TEST STANDARDS
K. Ravi Kumar,
Asst Prof., Department of Mechanical Engineering,
AHCET, Chevella, Ranga Reddy – 515002(A.P.), India.
K. Ganesh Babu
Asst Prof., Department of Mechanical Engineering,
SITECH, Chevella, Ranga Reddy – 515002(A.P.), India
S. Udaya Bhaskar
Asso Prof., Department of Mechanical Engineering,
AHCET, Chevella, Ranga Reddy – 515002(A.P.), India.
ABSTRACT
The Paper reports on the performance of Air Conditioner at different test standards. The
future design of air conditioners is being driven primarily by (a) increased energy efficiency standards
and (b) the need to eliminate ozone-depleting working fluids. Various national and international
agencies continue to impose more stringent requirements for energy efficiency. In addition, consumer
pressure to select units with lower operating costs further drives the need for improved performance.
The main objective of this paper is to give wide understand of the standards and to maintain the
standard conditions in Psychrometric room (Air conditioner test room), which has been constructed to
test the air conditioners and to establish different test procedures. The tests that should be performed
in Air conditioner test room are cooling capacity test, power consumption test. The main objective of
the manufacturers is to produce the systems according to requirements of customers which can give
more cooling, low power consumption, high EER to with stand competition in the market. In every
country, the manufacturers follow some standards according to the climatic conditions to test the
appliances.
Keywords: Psychrometric room; EER; cooling capacity test; power consumption test; climatic
conditions
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH IN
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (IJARET)
ISSN 0976 - 6480 (Print)
ISSN 0976 - 6499 (Online)
Volume 4, Issue 3, April 2013, pp. 178-186
© IAEME: www.iaeme.com/ijaret.asp
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IJARET
© I A E M E

2. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and
0976 – 6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, April (2013), © IAEME
I INTRODUCTION
India falls in the hot zone therefore the comfort air
necessity for mankind. To achieve comfort, heat is extracted from the comfort region and transferred
to the environment, which is at a higher temperature. This is done with the help of r
Though there are many methods to achieve cooling, one process that is predominantly applied in
refrigeration equipment and its application is vapor compression cycle. One of the applications of
vapor compression system is in Air conditioning
conditioners, and then comes the Packaged systems which are used for higher tonnages till 50Ton.
Ever since the invention of Air Conditioning as one of Refrigeration application by W H Carrier in
US in earlier 19th
Century, there has been a radical change in the methods and process used in
manufacturing air-conditioning equipment but there is no change in the principle i.e. Vapor
compression system used in the cycle.
II.EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
Air conditioner test room is constructed according to ASHREA standards. It consists of two rooms
made of adiabatic material of rigid polyurethane, one is indoor side room and another is outdoor side
room. The outside room ambient is controlled from 25
temperature control or load control. For testing or air conditioner, maintaining of temperatures is
important so these two rooms are made of adiabatic material. The method use in air conditioner test
room for finding capacity is air enthalpy
which the non-ducted equipment (test air conditioner) is mounted which the non
(test air conditioner) is mounted.
The equipments associated with air conditioner test room as follo
(a) Panel Boards
(b) Split AC Indoor Unit Installation
(c) Split AC Outdoor Unit Installation
(d) Packaged Air conditioners
(e) Humidifiers
(f) Code Tester
(g) Temperature measuring instrument
(h) Heaters
(g) Sampling device
Fig.1. Psychrometric Laboratory view
International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN
6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, April (2013), © IAEME
179
therefore the comfort air-conditioning has always been felt to be a
necessity for mankind. To achieve comfort, heat is extracted from the comfort region and transferred
to the environment, which is at a higher temperature. This is done with the help of r
Though there are many methods to achieve cooling, one process that is predominantly applied in
refrigeration equipment and its application is vapor compression cycle. One of the applications of
vapor compression system is in Air conditioning units, the more commonly used one is Room Air
conditioners, and then comes the Packaged systems which are used for higher tonnages till 50Ton.
Ever since the invention of Air Conditioning as one of Refrigeration application by W H Carrier in
Century, there has been a radical change in the methods and process used in
conditioning equipment but there is no change in the principle i.e. Vapor
compression system used in the cycle.
room is constructed according to ASHREA standards. It consists of two rooms
made of adiabatic material of rigid polyurethane, one is indoor side room and another is outdoor side
room. The outside room ambient is controlled from 25o
C to 55o
C. While indoor s
temperature control or load control. For testing or air conditioner, maintaining of temperatures is
important so these two rooms are made of adiabatic material. The method use in air conditioner test
room for finding capacity is air enthalpy method. These two rooms are separated by an opening in to
ducted equipment (test air conditioner) is mounted which the non-ducted equipment
The equipments associated with air conditioner test room as follows:
Split AC Indoor Unit Installation
Split AC Outdoor Unit Installation
Temperature measuring instrument
sychrometric Laboratory view Fig.2 Split AC Indoor Unit Installation
Technology (IJARET), ISSN
6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, April (2013), © IAEME
conditioning has always been felt to be a
necessity for mankind. To achieve comfort, heat is extracted from the comfort region and transferred
to the environment, which is at a higher temperature. This is done with the help of refrigeration.
Though there are many methods to achieve cooling, one process that is predominantly applied in
refrigeration equipment and its application is vapor compression cycle. One of the applications of
units, the more commonly used one is Room Air-
conditioners, and then comes the Packaged systems which are used for higher tonnages till 50Ton.
Ever since the invention of Air Conditioning as one of Refrigeration application by W H Carrier in
Century, there has been a radical change in the methods and process used in
conditioning equipment but there is no change in the principle i.e. Vapor
room is constructed according to ASHREA standards. It consists of two rooms
made of adiabatic material of rigid polyurethane, one is indoor side room and another is outdoor side
C. While indoor side has either
temperature control or load control. For testing or air conditioner, maintaining of temperatures is
important so these two rooms are made of adiabatic material. The method use in air conditioner test
method. These two rooms are separated by an opening in to
ducted equipment
Split AC Indoor Unit Installation

3. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN
0976 – 6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, April (2013), © IAEME
180
Fig.3 Split AC Outdoor Unit Installation Fig.4. Code Tester
Fig.5. Temperature Measuring Device
III. COOLING CAPACITY TEST AND CALCULATIONS
TEST CONDITIONS: The test conditions that should be maintained are as follows:
ISO 5151 standard
Indoor side Outdoor side
DBT o
C WBT o
C DBT o
C WBT o
C
27 19 35 24
PROCEDURE
Out let of air conditioner (which is going to be tested) is attached to the receiving chamber of
the code tester through the proper ducting. Before starting the main switch, ensure that all the
switches of panel Board are in disable or not. Before starting the test, clean all the sensors and fill
water in all sampling devices. Set the temperatures values, which are going, to be maintained in PID’S
of the panel boards Switch on the test unit by adjusting dimmer to 230 volts.

4. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN
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181
For example: we are maintaining DBT–35°C, WBT-24°c in outdoor side and DBT-27°C, WBT-
19°C indoor side (according to ISO standard) When temperature is stabilized there arithmetic mean
value should have
Outdoor side conditions o
C Outdoor side conditions o
C
DBT 35±0.3 DBT 27±0.3
WBT 24±0.2 WBT 19±0.2
After stabilization, to maintain the test conditions for 4 hours, and record the data after 30 minutes so
that there are 7 set of readings for every 5 min.
During this 30 min duration, record the code tester nozzle pressure drop. When receiving
chamber pressure shows 0.0 and record code tester DBT and WBT readings also.
The sensor temperature that should be recorded are:
102 Indoors side DBT
103 Indoors side WBT
104 Outdoors side DBT
105 Outdoors side WBT
106 Indoor side Code tester DBT
107 Indoor side Code tester WBT
Average the recorded data. So that we can get more appropriate one value.
For convenience not indoor side room temperature from 102 and 103 sensors and leaving air
condition from 106 and 107 sensors.
For calculation of CFM:
Cfm =Ci*Ai*Yi*√2Dp/p*3600*0.5885
Where
ρ=density of air at the air sampling condition kg/m3
.
Ci= Discharge co-efficient of its nozzle dimensionless.
Ai=Area of the nozzle in m2
.
Yi=expansion factor, dimensionless.
Dp=pressure drop across the nozzle in Pa.
Ci, Yi can be calculated from ASHRAE 41
FORMULAE FOR COOLING CAPACITY CALCULATIONS:
Volume Flow rate of air Qva(m3
/sec)= Cfm/2118.88
Enthalpy difference Dh = Enthalpy of moist air entering - Enthalpy of moist air leaving
Mass flow rate of air Ma(kg/s) =Volume flow rate of air/Specific volume of air
Cooling capacity in KW =Mass flow rate of air*Enthalpy difference
Cooling capacity in Btu/hr=Cooling capacity in KW*3412.14
Cooling capacity in Ton of refrigeration=Cooling capacity in KW/3.5167
CALCULATIONS
Calculations at 35
o
C Ambient:
Entering air conditions: DBT-27.11
o
C,WBT-19.27
o
C
Saturation pr.at DBT,
Ps= 610.78*EXP(DBT/(DBT+238.3)*17.2694)/1000
=610.78*EXP(27.11/(27.11+238.3)*17.2694)/1000
=3.5642 kpa

5. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN
0976 – 6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, April (2013), © IAEME
182
vSaturation pr. at WBT, P
l
= 610.78*EXP(WBT/(WBT+238.3)*17.2694)/1000
=610.78*EXP(19.27/(19.27+238.3)*17.2694)/1000
=2.2232 kpa
Actual vapour pressure,
l l
Pv = Pv -(((Pt- Pv )*(DBT-WBT)*(1.8))/(2800-1.3((1.8*DBT)+32))
= 2.2232-(((101.325-2.2232)*(27.11-19.27)*(1.8))/(2800-1.3((1.8*27.11)+32))
= 1.7042 kpa
Humidity ratio, W = 0.622*(Pv/(Pt-Pv))
= 0.622*(1.7042/(101.325-1.7042))
= 0.01064
Enthalpy of moist air, hen = (1.005*DBT) + (W*(2500+(1.88*DBT)))
= (1.005*27.11) + (0.01064*(2500+(1.88*27.11)))
= 54.3878 kj/kg
Specific volume of air, Ven = (287.3*(273+DBT))/((Pt-Pv)*1000)
= (287.3*(273+27.11))/((101.325-1.7042)*1000)
= 0.8654 m
3
/kg
Density of moist air, Den = 1/Ven
= 1/0.8653
= 1.1556 kg/m
3
Leaving air conditions: DBT-13.78
o
C,WBT-12.25
o
C
Saturation pr. at DBT,
Ps = 610.78*EXP(DBT/(DBT+238.3)*17.2694)/1000
=610.78*EXP(13.78/(13.78+238.3)*17.2694)/1000
=1.5699 kpa
Saturation pr. At WBT,
P = 610.78*EXP(WBT/(WBT+238.3)*17.2694)/1000
=610.78*EXP(12.25/(12.25+238.3)*17.2694)/1000
=1.4209 kpa40
Actual vapour pressure,
l
Pv = Pv -(((Pt- Pv )*(DBT-WBT)*(1.8))/(2800-1.3((1.8*DBT)+32))
= 1.4209-(((101.325-1.4209)*(13.78-12.25)*(1.8))/(2800-1.3((1.8*13.78)+32))
= 1.3199 kpa
Humidity ratio, W = 0.622*(Pv/(Pt-Pv))
= 0.622*(1.3199/(101.325-1.3199))
= 0.0082
Enthalpy of moist air, hle = (1.005*DBT) + (W*(2500+(1.88*DBT)))
= (1.005*13.78) + (0.0082*(2500+(1.88*13.78)))
= 34.5613 kj/kg

6. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN
0976 – 6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, April (2013), © IAEME
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Specific volume of air, Vle = (287.3*(273+DBT))/((Pt-Pv)*1000)
= (287.3*(273+13.78))/((101.325-1.3199)*1000)
= 0.8238 m
3
/kg
Density of moist air, Dle = 1/Vle
= 1/0.8238
=1.2138 kg/m
3
Calculations for Cooling capacity :
Area, Ai = ((22/7*4)*SQRT(48.66/1000))+((22/7*4)*SQRT(99.43/1000))
= 0.00962 m
2
Cubic flow per minute,
Cfm = Ci*Yi*Ai*SQRT((2*Dp)/Dle)*3600*0.5885
=0.985*0.998*0.00962*SQRT((2*445)/1.2138)*3600* 0.5885
= 542.56 or 543
Volume flow rate,Qva= Cfm/2118.88
= 543/2118.88
= 0.2562 m
3
/sec
Enthalpy difference, Dh = hen-hle
= 54.3878 - 34.5613
= 19.8265 kj/kg
Mass flow rate, Ma = Volume flow rate (Qva)/Specific volume of leaving air (Vle)
= 0.2562/0.8238
= 0.3109 kg/sec
Cooling capacity in KW = Mass flow rate (Ma)*Enthalpy difference (Dh)
= 0.3109*19.8265
= 6.1640 kw
Cooling capacity in Btu/hr = cooling capacity in kw*3412.14
= 6.1640*3412.14
= 21032.43 Btu/hr
Cooling capacity in TON of refrigeration = cooling capacity in kw / 3.516
= 6.1640 / 3.516
= 1.7531 Ton
Energy efficiency ratio,EER = (cooling capacity in Btu/hr) / (Input power in watts)
= 21032/2240
= 9.389 Btu/W-hr

7. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN
0976 – 6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, April (2013), © IAEME
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POWER CONSUMPTION TEST
Test conditions:
The various test conditions that should be maintained for Power consumption test are as
Follows:ISO 5151 Standard
Indoor side Outdoor side
DBT o
C WBT o
C DBT o
C WBT o
C
27 19 35 24
CALCULATIONS
Power Consumption Test of AC at 35o
C Ambient
Power consumed by air conditioner for 24hr = Final Energy meter reading –
Initial Energy meter reading
=5332.7 – 5316.2
= 16.5 Kw-hr
Power consumed of 1hr = 16.5/24
=0.687 Kw/hr
Power Consumption Test of AC at 46o
C Ambient
Power consumed by air conditioner for 24hr = Final Energy meter reading –
Initial Energy meter reading
=5358.5 – 5334
= 24.5 Kw-hr
Power consumed of 1hr = 24.5/24
=1.021 Kw/hr
STARTABILITY TEST
Test conditions: -
The various test conditions that should be maintained are given below:
(a) BIS 1391:1992
Indoor side room °C Outdoor side room °C Voltage
DBT WBT DBT WBT V
35 24 46 27 90% &110% of rated voltage.
(b) BIS 1391:1992(For Export A &B)
Indoor side room °C Outdoor side room °C Voltage
DBT WBT DBT WBT V
32 23 43 26 90% &110% of rated voltage.
32 23 52 31
95% minimum voltage&110%
of maximum voltage with dual
rated voltage.

8. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and
0976 – 6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, April (2013), © IAEME
Procedure for Down Trip:
(1) Take the cold resistance of the system (i.e. Main, Auxiliary and Total resistances) before
starting the system.
(2) Start the appliance at 220/230V according to the request by maintaining Indoor sideroom
DBT27o
C, WBT-19 o
C and Outdoor side room DBT
stable conditions and optimizing for 3 to 4 hours record the data of pressures (standard
suction 70±5 psig anddischarge 300
placed at different places in the applian
(a) Indoor side room DBT and WBT
(b) Outdoor side room DBT and WBT
(c) Top shell and bottom shell
(d) Condenser in and condenser out
(e) Evaporator in an evaporator out
(f) Suction line and Dischar
IV RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
Every product that is manufactured is tested to know how it works and up to what level it can
satisfy the requirements of customers. The main objective of this project is testing the Air conditioner
appliance according to different standards by maintaining different climatic conditions in Air
conditioner test room. The testing includes cooling test, power consumption test.
From capacity test, cooling capacity of system at different temperatures is known. Cooling
capacity test is done on air conditioner appliance. The specification given by manufacturer for cooling
capacity of Air Conditioner at 35o
C ambient is 21200 Btu/hr, by conducting capacity test in the Air
conditioner test room it is found that its capacity is lower
Similarly cooling capacity at 46o
C and 54
Figure
Power consumption test is done on air conditioner and found that it
16.5 Kwhr units power i.e 0.687 kw/hr at 35
24.5 Kwhr units of power i.e 1.021 kw/hr in Air conditioner test room.
International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN
6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, April (2013), © IAEME
185
Take the cold resistance of the system (i.e. Main, Auxiliary and Total resistances) before
Start the appliance at 220/230V according to the request by maintaining Indoor sideroom
C and Outdoor side room DBT-35 o
C, WBT-24 o
C. After reaching the
stable conditions and optimizing for 3 to 4 hours record the data of pressures (standard
5 psig anddischarge 300±10 psig), temperatures, current and power. Sensors are
placed at different places in the appliance to record the temperatures of the following
Indoor side room DBT and WBT
Outdoor side room DBT and WBT
Top shell and bottom shell
Condenser in and condenser out
Evaporator in an evaporator out
Suction line and Discharge line
IV RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS
Every product that is manufactured is tested to know how it works and up to what level it can
satisfy the requirements of customers. The main objective of this project is testing the Air conditioner
to different standards by maintaining different climatic conditions in Air
conditioner test room. The testing includes cooling test, power consumption test.
From capacity test, cooling capacity of system at different temperatures is known. Cooling
test is done on air conditioner appliance. The specification given by manufacturer for cooling
C ambient is 21200 Btu/hr, by conducting capacity test in the Air
conditioner test room it is found that its capacity is lower by 1.4% i.e 20908 Btu/hr at 35
C and 54o
C ambient is found as 19332Btu/hr and 5582 Btu/hr.
Figure 6 EER Vs Temperature
Power consumption test is done on air conditioner and found that it consumes when operated for 24 hr
16.5 Kwhr units power i.e 0.687 kw/hr at 35o
C Ambient. At 46o
C Ambient it is found that it consumes
24.5 Kwhr units of power i.e 1.021 kw/hr in Air conditioner test room.
Technology (IJARET), ISSN
6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, April (2013), © IAEME
Take the cold resistance of the system (i.e. Main, Auxiliary and Total resistances) before
Start the appliance at 220/230V according to the request by maintaining Indoor sideroom
C. After reaching the
stable conditions and optimizing for 3 to 4 hours record the data of pressures (standard
10 psig), temperatures, current and power. Sensors are
ce to record the temperatures of the following
Every product that is manufactured is tested to know how it works and up to what level it can
satisfy the requirements of customers. The main objective of this project is testing the Air conditioner
to different standards by maintaining different climatic conditions in Air
From capacity test, cooling capacity of system at different temperatures is known. Cooling
test is done on air conditioner appliance. The specification given by manufacturer for cooling
C ambient is 21200 Btu/hr, by conducting capacity test in the Air
by 1.4% i.e 20908 Btu/hr at 35o
C ambient.
C ambient is found as 19332Btu/hr and 5582 Btu/hr.
consumes when operated for 24 hr
C Ambient it is found that it consumes

9. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology (IJARET), ISSN
0976 – 6480(Print), ISSN 0976 – 6499(Online) Volume 4, Issue 3, April (2013), © IAEME
186
Figure 7 Power(Units) Vs Temperature
The various factors observed amidst the testing were, amount of charge of refrigerant,
pressure drop, suction and discharge pressures, power, current etc. From these work different
procedures for testing air conditioners are established. The test results will give awareness to the
customers and manufacturers. Useful data is generated for the air conditioning engineers.
REFERENCES
[1] Akintunde, M.A. 2004b. Experimental Investigation of The performance of Vapor
Compression Refrigeration Systems. Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria
[2] American Society Heating Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. ASHRAE Hand Book. 2001
[3] Wernick, B.J. “Effectiveness method”, RACA journal 2004.
[4]. C.P Arora, Refrigeration and Air conditioning. Tata McGraw-Hill Book Company
[5]. Stoecker, W.F. and Jones J.W. (1982), Refrigeration & Air Conditioning. McGraw-Hill Book
Company, Singapore
[6] Analytical expressions for optimum flow rates in evaporators and condensers of heat pumping
systems International Journal of Refrigeration, Volume 33, Issue 7, November 2010,
Pages 1211-1220 Granryd, E.
[7] Yumrutas R, kunduz M, Kanoglu M. Exergy analysis of vapor compression refrigeration
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[8] Dr.S.S. Banwait and Dr.S.C. Laroiya, “Properties of refrigerant and psychometric tables
and charts
[9] “Technical Manual Air-conditioning application, Tecumseh”. Tecumseh Products India Pvt.
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[10] Calorimeter Test Facility Lab manual (CTFLM) Tecumseh Products India Pvt. Ltd.
[11] Eckert, E.R.G.; Goldstein, R.J.; Ibele, W.E.; Patankar, S.V.; Simon, T.W.; Strykowski, P.J.;
Tamma, K.K.; Kuehn, T.H.; Bar-Cohen, A.; Heberlein, J.V.R.; (Sep 1997), Heat transfer--a
review of 1994 literature, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer 40-16, 3729-3804.
[12] N. Thangadurai and Dr. R. Dhanasekaran, “Effective Power Consumption Model for a
Network With Uniform Traffic Pattern”, International Journal of Computer Engineering &
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[13] Kapil Chopra, Dinesh Jain, Tushar Chandana and Anil Sharma, “Evaluation of Existing
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ISSN Print: 0976 – 6340, ISSN Online: 0976 – 6359.
0
2
4
6
8
10
35 46 54
EER