Danfoss Commercial Compressors Design guide

Product Information – Commercial Compressors MT / MTZ Reciprocating Compressor Oil Crossover

To: Danfoss Customers in North America

With the phase-out of R-22 well underway, many in our industry are considering HFC refrigerant alternatives for both new ACR applications, and as retrofit service fluids for existing R-22 installations. This has raised a number of questions for our customers regarding the use of different lubricants with our MT / MTZ series compressors.

Since 2009, our MT / MTZ compressor platforms have shared the same mechanical components. The primary physical difference between the MT and MTZ compressor lines is the lubricant. MT compressors are rated for R-22 and use Danfoss 160P Mineral Oil.

MTZ compressors are rated for R-134a, R-404A, R-407A, R-407C, R-407F, & R-507A, and contain Danfoss 160PZ POE.

Although Danfoss recommends installing the correct compressor for the corresponding refrigerants; based on immediate needs and compressor availability it is possible to change the oil type for each compressor. As these compressor platforms share the same mechanical components, replacing the mineral oil in an MT compressor with Danfoss 160PZ POE would make it functionally equivalent to a comparable MTZ compressor (e.g. MT64-4VI vs. MTZ64-4VI). Similarly, replacing the POE in an MTZ compressor with Danfoss 160P Mineral Oil would make it functionally equivalent to a comparable MT compressor (e.g. MTZ32-4VI vs. MT32-4VI).

Customers should read the compressor datasheet to determine the quantity of oil in the compressor. The compressor should be drained to ensure there is less than 5% residual of the original oil type. Add the appropriate amount of compressor oil based on the datasheet and how much oil was removed. Ensure that the replacement oil used is from new and unused containers to ensure the oil has been dehydrated appropriately from the oil manufacturer.

If an equipment manufacturer is replacing the oil from one compressor type to another, it is their responsibility to ensure proper agency approvals are achieved based on the agencies’ requirements for nameplate identification and compressor information. The equipment manufacturer might have to create a new nameplate with updated information for compliance.

20 March 2015

USCO.EC.000.00.22

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Danfoss wishes to address concerns raised by our customers regarding their compressor warranties. As our warranties protect our customers from manufacturing and design defects, refrigerant and lubricant changes conducted in the manner described above, will not void our warranties. However, responsibility for system considerations falls to the end user. This includes, but is not limited to, proper labeling of the compressor / system refrigerant and oil, system cleanliness and oil purity, and analyzing piping, oil miscibility / circulation rates, and other system factors to ensure proper oil return.

Please contact Danfoss Tech Support at [phone] or [e-mail] if you have questions regarding this matter.

20 March 2015

USCO.EC.000.00.22

Page 1 of 1