Description button while turning on the SSX34.

Temperature:
Fieldpiece The SSX34 is a portable standalone superheat 4. Hand tighten 1/4” flare to suction line or liquid
line as close to the evaporator or condenser as
To calibrate the SSX34 temperature, adjust the
pot on the front of the meter labeled “Temp-Cal”.
Superheat and and subcooling meter for A/C and refrigeration. The
possible using an EPA approved service hose The best way to calibrate is to match to a known
SSX34 is designed to fit the needs of the HVACR
Subcooling Meter technician with a rugged rubber boot for durability (not included). temperature. Ice water is very close to 32ºF and is
5. Select proper pressure units (english psi or met- readily available. Accuracies of one degree or bet-
For A/C and and magnetic hanger for easy use. Hang the mag-
ric KPa) by pressing the UNIT button. ter are easily obtained.
netic hanger over a corner to minimize slip. Plug in
Refrigeration the pipe clamp thermocouple into the K-Type ther- 6. Select refrigerant (R22, R410A, R134A, or 1. Stabilize a large cup of ice water. Pure, distilled
R404A) by pressing the TYPE button and water will be the most accurate.
with Pipe Clamp K
mocouple plug. You can connect the SSX34 direct-
observing the arrow at the bottom of the LCD. 2. Using the Type button, scroll through tempera-
ly to the A/C or refrigeration system using a stan-
Model: SSX34
SH

SC
dard 1/4” EPA approved refrigerant hose using the 7. Connect the pipe clamp to the suction (super- ture displayed until you reach the “K” spot,
pressure port at the top of the meter. You can even heat) or liquid (subcooling) line at least six inch- which is the direct temperature input from the K-
TYPE ATM
T2
use the “T” included to charge the unit while check- es from the compressor and slide it under the type thermocouple.
TEMP. UNIT
T2 ing superheat or subcooling, making it possible to insulation for best accuracy isolating the pipe 3. Immerse the temp probe in ice water and let it
AUTO-OFF BATTERY
CHECK

charge to superheat or subcooling. The SSX34 will clamp from the ambient air. stabilize.
display superheat or subcooling for R-22, R-410A, 8. Select temperature to display (superheat, sub- Pressure:
R-134A and R-404A. cooling, or refrigerant temperature). To calibrate the SSX34 pressure, ensure that
The pipe clamp will take the temperature reading Temperature being displayed is designated by the SSX34 is disconnected from the pressure
ON/OFF
PRESS FOR 1 SECOND
of the refrigerant piping giving the actual refrigerant the arrows along the right side of the LCD “K” is source and at equilibrium with the ambient pres-
Temp Cal
temperature. The refrigerant hose will then sense the direct temperature from the thermocouple sure. Press the ATM button and the SSX34 will
the refrigerant pressure. The SSX34 then uses the (actual refrigerant temperature). “SH” is super- set the “zero” point of pressure to the ambient
actual temperature and boiling point (at the sensed heat and “SC” is subcooling. Pressure is con- pressure.
pressure) to calculate and display real-time actual stantly displayed in lower right.
subcooling or superheat as well as display refriger- 9. You must wait until the system you are testing
ant temperature and pressure. has stabilized.
Operation 10. Once you have the superheat or subcooling
1. Connect the thermocouple pipe clamp and reading follow the manufacturer of the air condi-
refrigerant hose to the meter. tioner’s specifications to properly charge or
2. Calibrate if needed (see Field calibration). diagnose the system.
OPERATOR’S MANUAL 3. Select °C or °F by holding down the °C or °F Field Calibration

General Pressure Battery Check Function Service

Operating environment: 32ºF (0°C) to 122ºF Pressure Input: Standard 1/4” male flare fitting The SSX34 allows the user to check the battery Return any defective SSX34 to Fieldpiece for
(50°C) <75% RH Measurement range: charge at any time during use, simpily by hold- warranty service along with proof of purchase.
Storage environment: -4ºF (-20°C) to 140ºF 29” HgV to 500PSIG (english) ing down the UNIT button for over one second. Contact Fieldpiece for out of warranty repair
(60°F) <80% RH with battery removed from 74 cmHgV to 0 to 4000KPa (metric) The approximate percentage of battery charge charges.
meter. HgV indicates a vacuum measurement in either will be displayed on the main display for three Warranty
Overrange: “OL” or “-OL” is displayed. inches (english) or cm (metric) of mercury. A seconds before returning to its reading prior to The product is warranted to the original purchas-
Auto-off power: 15 minutes perfect vacuum would be 29.92”HgV or preforming the battery check. er against defects in material or workmanship for a
Temperature coefficient: 0.05 x (specified accu- 76.00cmHgV. Atmospheric pressure at sea period of one (1) year from the date of purchase.
racy) per °C level would be 0” HgV and 0 cmHgV. During the warranty period, Fieldpiece Instruments
Accuracy: Stated accuracy at 23°C ± 5° (73°F ± System accuracy after field calibration: will, at its option, replace or repair the defective unit.
9°F), <90%R.H. 29” HgV to 0” HgV: ±0.2” HgV This warranty does not apply to defects resulting
Battery: Single standard 9-volt battery, NEDA 74 cmHgV to 0 cmHgV: ±0.4 cmHgV from abuse, neglect, accident, unauthorized repair,
1604, JIS 006P, IEC 6F22. 0 to 200 Psi: ±1 Psi alteration, or unreasonable use of the instrument.
Low battery: symbol is displayed. 0 to 1378 KPa: ±7 KPa Any implied warranty arising out of the sale of
200 to 500 Psi: ±0.3%+1 Psi Fieldpiece's products including but not limited to
Temperature 1378 to 3447KPa: ±0.3%+7 KPa implied warranties of merchantability, and fitness for
Temperature Input: Standard K-type thermocou- Maximum overload pressure: 800PSIG purpose, are limited to the above. Fieldpiece shall
ple connectors not be liable for incidental or consequential dam-
Measurement range: -40 to 400ºF(-40 to 204°C) ages.
(180°F/82°C max with supplied ATC1 pipe
clamp thermocouple) ! WARNINGS ! Unit Fluctuations Near Zero
Resolution: 0.1º Never take pressure readings exceeding 500Psi When the pressure/vacuum is near zero, the unit
System accuracy after field calibration: (3500kPa) or serious injury or damage to the meter shown on the display may fluctuate between vacu-
±1.0ºF @ -40 to 200ºF with field calibration may occur. um and pressure. This is similar to a classical
±0.5ºC @ -40 to 93ºC with field calibration gauge face as shown. Below zero is vacuum (inHg
±2.0ºF @ 200 to 400ºF with field calibration or cmHG), above 0 is pressure (psi or kPa). There
±1.0ºC @ 93 to 204ºC with field calibration is nothing wrong if this happens. The appropriate
units will be displayed when a pressure/vacuum
measurement is taken.
Measuring Actual Superheat and On TXV systems, subcooling is the best indica- Checking Throttle Valve (TXV, Cap. Tube, Fixed Orifice)
tion of the state of charge in the refrigerant system
Subcooling since these systems are designed to maintain con-
Subcooling
Superheat is the difference between the actual stant superheat. Using the
temperature of the refrigerant (gas) as it leaves the
evaporator and the boiling point temperature of the
Properly charging a system ensures maximum SSX34
efficiency and longer equipment life.
refrigerant in the evaporator coil. After boiling, the The hose must have a schraeder valve depress-
refrigerant continues to warm up. The number of er on one end to release the refrigerant from the
degrees it “warmed up” after boiling is called the suction or liquid line. This is the same type of hose
superheat. Under worst case conditions (low load
K

available with most pressure gauge sets. We sug- SH

for fixed orifice systems), the refrigerant in the evap-

SC

gest EPA sanctioned “no leak” hoses.

Re
ow
orator boils off near the end of the evaporator coil. Liquid

Fl
Exercise caution whenever working with any Liquid

frig e ra nt
TYPE ATM
T2

frig e ra nt
To make sure liquid doesn’t enter the compressor electricity and high pressure liquid or gas. Follow all
TEMP.
AUTO-OFF
UNIT
T2
BATTERY
CHECK

under the worst case condition (low load), the refrig- instructions provided with equipment being serviced Liquid
Condenser Evaporator
Liquid
ow

Fl
erator manufacturers publish charts indicating what & Vapor & Vapor

Re
or installed.
the superheat should be at a given indoor wet bulb
ON/OFF
PRESS FOR 1 SECOND

measurement and outdoor air temperature. Temp Cal Vapor Vapor

Measuring superheat is your best indication on a Target Superheat and Subcooling
fixed orifice system of the proper refrigerant charge Heed all equipment manufacturer’s specifica-
and operating conditions. If everything else is work- tions, warnings and suggestions above anything
ing properly and the actual superheat is too high, found in this manual.
add refrigerant. If it’s too low, remove refrigerant. To determine the target superheat (fixed orifice
Subcooling is the difference between the boiling system) or subcooling (charts vary dramatically K

SH

point of the refrigerant in the condenser and the from one system to another), you need the manu- SC

actual temperature of the refrigerant as it leaves facturers target superheat chart or subcooling chart. TYPE ATM
T2

the condenser. The degrees that the refrigerant You can use the ARH4 Fieldpiece accessory Compressor TEMP. UNIT
T2
T2

“cools down” below the boiling point is the sub- head for both wet bulb, dew point and dry bulb
AUTO-OFF BATTERY
CHECK

cooling. Under worst case scenario (low load for measurements.

TXV) the subcooling will continue to rise. If the Checking ON/OFF

Superheat
PRESS FOR 1 SECOND

subcooling rises to high, liquid may be backed into Temp Cal

the compressor causing damage and catastrophic Using the

failure.
SSX34
Generic Target Superheat Charts*

* These charts are an example of a

generic superheat charts for a typical fixed
orifice, split residential system. These
charts should not be used for charging. A
typical manufacturer’s recommended sub-
cooling is 12°F (7°C). These are only exam-
ples of what the manufacturer’s may rec-
ommend. Heed all manufacturer’s indica-
tions, instructions and warnings above
those in this manual.

The indoor wet bulb measurement can be

accomplished by a Fieldpiece ARH4 or
ATWB1 and should be taken as close to the
evaporator coil inlet as possible. The out-
door dry bulb reading can be taken with an
ARH4, ATB1, ATA1 or any other Fieldpiece
air thermocouple and should be taken as
close to the condenser air inlet as possible.

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