Page 1
APPLICATION AND ENGINEERING DATA
Copper Capillary Tubing
For Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning
DIAMETER AND LENGTH
FACTORS AFFECTING REFRIGERANT FLOW
The size of the cap tube is fairly critical.
Unlike orifices, such as expansion valve seats,
capillary tubes depend on their length as well as
their diameter to determine their total restriction.
The relationship between these two factors are
shown in the following charts. A change in
diameter on a percentage basis can change the
flow more than an equal change in length. To
illustrate, changing the diameter by .005" as
between .026" I.D. and .031" I.D. can double
the flow.
Restriction can also be changed by lengthening or shortening the cap tub. The longer the
tube, the slower the flow; the shorter the tube, the
faster the flow. The general flow curve graph
(right) shows what happens to the flow of
refrigerant through a cap tube as the length is
changed. This curve is not meant to give specific
flows but to simply illustrate what happens with
all cap tubes so that the general flow pattern can
be understood.
By following the flow curve from left to right it
can be seen that for the very longest length the
flow is the smallest. Then as the cap tube length
is decreased, the flow increases slowly until
critical point "L" is reached.
At this point the flow increases more rapidly
with each reduction in length until critical point "S"
is reached. From this point on, further decrease in
SHORT COIL 100 FT. COILS 10 COILS DESCRIPTION
TC-26-16 TC-26-100 TC-26-100-101 .026 ID x .072 OD x 16'
TC-31-12 TC-31-100 TC-31-100-101 .031 ID x .083 OD x 12'
TC-36-12 TC-36-100 TC-36-100-101 .036 ID x .087 OD x 12'
TC-42-12 TC-42-100 TC-42-100-101 .042 ID x .093 OD x 12'
TC-44-12 TC-44-100 TC-44-100-101 .044 ID x .109 OD x 12'
TC-49-11 TC-49-100 TC-49-100-101 .049 ID x .099 OD x 11'
TC-50-11 TC-50-100 TC-50-100-101 .050 ID x .114 OD x 11'
TC-54-11 TC-54-100 TC-54-100-101 .054 ID x .106 OD x 11'
TC-55-11 TC-55-100 TC-55-100-101 .055 ID x .125 OD x 11'
TC-59-10 TC-59-100 TC-59-100-101 .059 ID x .112 OD x 10'
TC-64-10 TC-64-100 TC-64-100-101 .064 ID x .125 OD x 10'
TC-70-12 TC-70-100 TC-70-100-101 .070 ID x .125 OD x 12'
TC-75-9 TC-75-100 TC-75-100-101 .075 ID x .125 OD x 9'
TC-80-10 TC-80-100 TC-80-100-101 .080 ID x .145 OD x 10'
TC-85-9 TC-85-100 TC-85-100-101 .085 ID x .145 OD x 9'
TC-90-7 TC-90-100 TC-90-100-101 .090 ID x .145 OD x 7'
TC-100-10 TC-100-100 TC-100-100-101 .100 ID x .156 OD x 10'
© COPYRIGHT 2007 J/B INDUSTRIES INC.
length causes ever increasing flow. From the
study of this typical curve, certain pertinent
conclusions can be reached that directly affect
the field application of capillary tubes.
On the graph, the section above the critical
point "L" is marked as extra long lengths.
Attempting to increase restriction (i.e. reduce
flow) by increasing length into this region is not
only uneconomical but frequently hopeless. In
addition, tubes in this range may not be responsive enough to changes in head pressures during
operation. All in all, tube lengths in this range
should be avoided where possible.
Continuing down the graph, the section
below critical point "S" should be avoided like the
plague. In this range, the tube is so short that
even small changes in length will cause very
large increases in flow. This is caused by the fact
that the length no longer affects the flow and the
tube now beings to act more like an orifice than a
capillary tube. But, without the other components
necessary to control an orifice, such as are
present in an expansion valve or high side float, a
very short cap tube will give wildly erratic operation under varying ambients and loads.
All of this would be meaningless without
some definite way to use this information. Although the critical points will vary depending on
the I.D. of the cap tubing being used, a very safe
operating rule-of-thumb can be offered. Keep the
cap tube no shorter than 5 ft. and no longer
than 16 ft.
EXTRA
LONG
LENGTHS
LENGTH
CRITICAL
POINT "L"
OPTIMUM
LENGTH RANGE
5 to 16 FT.
CRITICAL POINT "S"
SHORT LENGTH
ACTS LIKE ORIFICE
Typical flow curve showing
changes in flow of
refrigerant through a
capillary tube with a
change in the length of the
cap tub.
OPTIMUM FLOW
RANGE
FLOW
Page 2
CAPILLARY TUBE LENGTH CONVERSION CHART
This conversion chart enables the user to translate
the recommended length of tube diameter into sizes
stocked by J/B. In using the chart it is recommended
that conversions be made using factors within the
unshaded area.
TO USE CHART
(1) Locate recommended cap tube I.D. in left hand
column.
(2) Read across and find conversion factor under
copper cap tube size.
(3) Multiply the given length of the recommended cap
tube by the conversion factor.
(4) The resultant length (Min. 5 feet/Max.16 feet) of
copper cap tube will give the same flow characteristics as the original recommended cap tube.
EXAMPLE
Recommended cap tube: 9'–.040 I.D.
Locate .040 in left hand column and reading across
gives the following conversion factor: No. TC-36
(.62) and TC-42 (1.25).
Multiply the recommended cap tube length of 9'
by the conversion factor gives the following results:
5-1/2"-TC-36 and 11-1/4'–TC-42. Either of these
two cap tubes will give the same results as the
original cap tube of 9'–.040 I.D.
Part No. TC-26 TC-31 TC-36 TC-42 TC-44 TC-49 TC-50 TC-54 TC-55 TC-59 TC-64 TC-70 TC-75 TC-80 TC-85 TC-90 TC-100
Tube I.D. .026 .031 .036 .042 .044 .049 .050 .054 .055 .059 .064 .070 .075 .080 .085 .090 .100
.024 1.44
.025 1.20
.026 1.00 2.24
.028 .72 1.59
.030 .52 1.16
.031 .45 1.00 2.00
.032 .86 1.75
.033 .75 1.54
.034 .65 1.35
.035 .58 1.16 2.31
.360 .50 1.00 2.10
.037 .45 .90 1.79 2.22
.038 .39 .80 1.59 1.92
.039 .35 .71 1.41 1.75
.040 .31 .62 1.25 1.55 2.51
.041 .28 .56 1.12 1.38 2.26 2.50
.042 .25 .50 1.00 1.24 2.03 2.23
.043 .23 .45 .87 1.11 1.83 1.98
.044 .20 .39 .81 1.00 1.62 1.79
.045 .35 .73 .90 1.47 1.60 2.32
.046 .32 .67 .82 1.34 1.47 2.08 2.27
.047 .59 .74 1.20 1.31 1.89 2.06
.048 .54 .67 1.10 1.20 1.72 1.87
.049 .49 .61 1.00 1.09 1.55 1.69
.050 .45 .56 .91 1.00 1.43 1.56 2.14
.051 .41 .51 .84 .93 1.31 1.44 1.96
.052 .47 .76 .85 1.19 1.32 1.78
.053 .43 .69 .78 1.09 1.20 1.64
.054 .39 .65 .70 1.00 1.09 1.52 2.18
.055 .36 .59 .64 .92 1.00 1.38 2.00
.056 .54 .60 .85 .94 1.27 1.85
.057 .50 .55 .79 .87 1.17 1.72
.058 .46 .51 .73 .80 1.07 1.56
.059 .42 .47 .67 .73 1.00 1.44 2.18
.060 .39 .43 .62 .67 .93 1.33 2.04
.064 .32 .47 .50 .69 1.00 1.50 2.07
.070 .30 .33 .46 .67 1.00 1.37 1.84
.075 .48 .73 1.00 1.37 1.75
.080 .54 .74 1.00 1.32 1.71
.085 .57 .76 1.00 1.29
.090 .43 .62 .76 1.00 1.62
.095 .46 .60 .79 1.27
.100 .48 .62 1.00
.105 .49 .80
.110 .65
.115 .53
.120 .43
Page 3
AIR-CONDITIONING APPLICATION CHART (R-22)
B.T.U./ CAP TUBE B.T.U./ CAP TUBE
CIRCUIT Length Size CIRCUIT Length Size
4000 69 in TC-49 8750 78 in TC-75
4250 63 in TC-49 9000 72 in TC-75
4500 90 in TC-54 9250 67 in TC-75
4750 81 in TC-54 9500 84 in TC-80
5000 72 in TC-54 9750 84 in TC-80
5250 63 in TC-54 10,000 76 in TC-80
5500 101 in TC-64 10,250 72 in TC-80
5750 94 in TC-64 10,500 68 in TC-80
6000 87 in TC-64 10,750 64 in TC-80
6250 79 in TC-64 11,000 60 in TC-80
6500 72 in TC-64 11,250 87 in TC-85
6750 64 in TC-64 11,500 84 in TC-85
7000 90 in TC-70 11,750 78 in TC-85
7250 84 in TC-70 12,000 72 in TC-85
7500 78 in TC-70 12,500 82 in TC-90
7750 73 in TC-70 13,000 72 in TC-90
8000 69 in TC-70 13,500 66 in TC-90
8250 64 in TC-70 14,000 60 in TC-90
8500 84 in TC-75
R-134a – It is suggested to add 10% to length.
Recommended capillary tube lengths for each
circuit in an air conditioner evaporator where R-22 is
the refrigerant. All recommendations must be
considered approximate and variations may arise in
actual field applications.
Window air conditioners normally have 1 circuit
and the recommended cap tube can be read directly
from the chart. Larger units have 2 or more circuits in
the evaporator. Where this is the case, simply divide
the total BTU rating of the unit by the number of cap
tube circuits to obtain the BTU/CIRCUIT rating of each
individual cap tube.
Example:
Air conditioner is rated at 27,000 BTU and has 3 cap
tubes connected to the evaporator. Divide 27,000 by
3 = 9,000 BTU/Circuit. From the chart, this would call
for .075 I.D. (TC-75) 72 inch long.The length and I.D.
of any cap tube may be adjusted to a more readily
available size by using the conversion chart.
REFRIGERATION APPLICATION CHART (R-12 AND R-22)*
NORMAL EVAPORTING TEMPERATURE DEGREES F
H.P. REF. NOTE -10 to +5 +5 to +20 +20 to +35 +35 to +50
1/20 R12 S-F 16 Ft. TC-26 10 Ft. TC-26
1/12 R12 S-F 12 Ft. TC-26 12 Ft. TC-31
1/9 R12 S 12 Ft. TC-26 12 Ft. TC-31
1/9 R12 S 10 Ft. TC-26 10 Ft. TC-31
1/8 R12 S-F 10 Ft. TC-26 10 Ft. TC-31
1/6 R12 S 12 Ft. TC-31 12 Ft. TC-36 8 Ft. TC-36 10 Ft. TC-42
1/6 R12 F 10 Ft. TC-31 10 Ft. TC-36
1/5 R12 S 10 Ft. TC-31 10 Ft. TC-36 7-1/2 Ft. TC-42 7-1/2 Ft. TC-49
1/5 R12 F 8 Ft. TC-31 8 Ft. TC-36 10 Ft. TC-42 6 Ft. TC-42
1/4 R22 S-F 12 Ft. TC-36 6 Ft. TC-36 8-1/2 Ft. TC-42 6 Ft. TC-49
1/4 R12 F 10 Ft. TC-36 6 Ft. TC-36 8 Ft. TC-42 6 Ft. TC-49
1/3 R22 F 10 Ft. TC-36 6 Ft. TC-36 11 Ft. TC-49
1/3 R12 F 12 Ft. TC-42 6 Ft. TC-42 9 Ft. TC-49 6 Ft. TC-54
1/2 R22 F 6 Ft. TC-36 9 Ft. TC-42 7-1/2 Ft. TC-54 10 Ft. TC-64
1/2 R12 F 11 Ft. TC-54 9 Ft. TC-49
3/4 R22 F 11 Ft. TC-54 9 Ft. TC-54
3/4 R12 F 7-1/2 Ft. TC-54 12 Ft. TC-70 1 Ft. TC-80
1 R22 F 10 Ft. TC-64 12 Ft. TC-70
1 R12 F 10 Ft. TC-70 11 Ft. TC-54 7-1/2 Ft. TC-54 (2 pcs)
1-1/2 R22 F 7-1/2 Ft. TC-54 (2 pcs) 7-1/2 Ft. TC-54 (2 pcs) 8 Ft. TC-64 (2 pcs)
)scp2(08-CT.tF01)scp2(46-CT.tF9F21R2/1-1
)scp2(57-CT.tF9)scp2(07-CT.tF01F22R2
2 R12 F 10 Ft. TC-70 (2 pcs) 9 Ft. TC-75 (2 pcs) 10 Ft. TC-85 (2 pcs)
)scp3(57-CT.tF9)scp3(07-CT.tF01F22R3
3 R12 F 10 Ft. TC-70 (2 pcs) 8 Ft. TC-64 (4 pcs) 10 Ft. TC-80 (4 pcs)
)scp4(57-CT.tF9)scp4(07-CT.tF01F22R4
)scp5(57-CT.tF9)scp5(07-CT.tF01F21R4
)scp5(58-CT.tF9)scp5(08-CT.tF01F21R5
NOTE: Condenser Type: S = Static, F = FAN
*R-134a – It is suggested to add 10% to length.
Page 4
REFRIGERATION REFERENCE CHART FOR CAPILLARY TUBING
Fan Cooled Units Only. Add 10% to length for Static Cooled
SINGLE FEED
H.P. LOW MED HIGH
R12 / R416A
1/8 TC-26 110" TC-26 84" TC-26 48"
1/6 TC-26 71" TC-31 96" TC-31 72"
1/5 TC-31 54" TC-31 36" TC-31 24"
1/4 TC-31 43" TC-42 90" TC-42 60"
1/3 TC-42 93" TC-42 72" TC-42 36"
1/2 TC-49 96" TC-49 48" TC-64 90"
3/4 TC-49 60" TC-64 92" TC-64 72"
1 TC-49 36" TC-64 84" TC-64 54"
1-1/2 TC-64 84" TC-64 60" TC-64 43"
2 TC-64 55" TC-64 40" TC-64 26"
R134A / R401A / R401B / R406A, R409A / R500
1/8 TC-26 121" TC-26 92" TC-26 53"
1/6 TC-26 78" TC-31 106" TC-31 79"
1/5 TC-31 59" TC-31 39" TC-31 26"
1/4 TC-31 47" TC-42 99" TC-42 66"
1/3 TC-42 102" TC-42 79" TC-42 39"
1/2 TC-49 105" TC-49 52" TC-64 99"
3/4 TC-49 66" TC-64 101" TC-64 79"
1 TC-49 39" TC-64 92" TC-64 59"
1-1/2 TC-64 92" TC-64 66" TC-64 47"
2 TC-64 61" TC-64 44" TC-64 29"
R22
1/8 TC-26 132" TC-26 101" TC-26 58"
1/6 TC-26 86" TC-31 116" TC-31 86"
1/5 TC-31 64" TC-31 42" TC-31 28"
1/4 TC-31 51" TC-42 109" TC-42 72"
1/3 TC-42 112" TC-42 87" TC-42 43"
1/2 TC-49 115" TC-49 57" TC-64 109"
3/4 TC-49 72" TC-64 111" TC-64 87"
1 TC-49 42" TC-64 101" TC-64 65"
1-1/2 TC-64 101" TC-64 72" TC-64 51"
2 TC-64 67" TC-64 48" TC-64 32"
R402B / R403B, R404A / R407C / R408A / R502
1/8 TC-26 144" TC-26 111" TC-26 63"
1/6 TC-26 95" TC-26 78" TC-31 95"
1/5 TC-31 70" TC-31 46" TC-31 31"
1/4 TC-31 56" TC-31 31" TC-42 79"
1/3 TC-31 30" TC-42 96" TC-42 47"
1/2 TC-42 29" TC-49 63" TC-49 32"
3/4 TC-49 79" TC-49 32" TC-64 96"
1 TC-49 46" TC-64 111" TC-64 72"
1-1/2 TC-64 111" TC-64 79" TC-64 56"
2 TC-64 74" TC-64 52" TC-64 34"
R402A / R407A / R407B / R507
1/8 N/A TC-26 122" TC-26 69"
1/6 TC-26 104" TC-31 138" TC-31 105"
1/5 TC-31 77" TC-31 50" TC-31 34"
1/4 TC-31 62" TC-31 34" TC-42 86"
1/3 TC-31 33" TC-42 105" TC-42 52"
1/2 TC-42 31" TC-49 69" TC-49 35"
3/4 TC-49 87" TC-49 37" TC-64 106"
1 TC-49 52" TC-49 30" TC-64 79"
1-1/2 TC-49 32" TC-64 86" TC-64 62"
2 TC-64 82" TC-64 58" TC-64 37"
R410A
1/8 N/A TC-26 144" TC-26 81"
1/6 TC-26 123" TC-26 100" TC-26 78"
1/5 TC-31 90" TC-31 60" TC-31 41"
1/4 TC-31 73" TC-31 40" TC-42 101"
1/3 TC-31 38" TC-31 30" TC-42 62"
1/2 TC-42 37" TC-49 84" TC-49 42"
3/4 TC-49 104" TC-49 44" TC-49 34"
1 TC-49 62" TC-49 36" TC-64 94"
1-1/2 TC-49 38" TC-64 103" TC-64 74"
2 TC-64 96" TC-64 69" TC-64 45"
2 FEED TUBES (Requres 2 lengths of each size listed)
H.P. LOW MED HIGH
R12 / R416A
1/2 TC-31 43" TC-42 90" TC-42 60"
3/4 TC-31 30" TC-42 63" TC-42 42"
1 TC-49 96" TC-49 48" TC-64 90"
1-1/2 TC-49 60" TC-64 92" TC-64 72"
2 TC-49 36" TC-64 84" TC-64 54"
2-1/2 TC-64 108" TC-64 72" TC-64 49"
3 TC-64 84" TC-64 60" TC-64 43"
3-1/2 TC-64 70" TC-64 54" TC-64 35"
4 TC-64 55" TC-64 40" TC-64 26"
R134A / R401A / R401B / R406A / R409A / R500
1/2 TC-31 47" TC-42 99" TC-42 66"
3/4 TC-31 33" TC-42 69" TC-42 46"
1 TC-49 105" TC-49 52" TC-64 99"
1-1/2 TC-49 66" TC-64 101" TC-64 79"
2 TC-49 40" TC-64 92" TC-64 59"
2-1/2 TC-64 119" TC-64 79" TC-64 53"
3 TC-64 92" TC-64 66" TC-64 47"
3-1/2 TC-64 77" TC-64 59" TC-64 38"
4 TC-64 60" TC-64 44" TC-64 29"
R22
1/2 TC-31 52" TC-42 108" TC-42 72"
3/4 TC-31 36" TC-42 77" TC-42 50"
1 TC-49 115" TC-49 58" TC-64 108"
1-1/2 TC-49 72" TC-64 110" TC-64 86"
2 TC-49 43" TC-64 101" TC-64 65"
2-1/2 TC-49 39" TC-64 87" TC-64 58"
3 TC-64 101" TC-64 72" TC-64 52"
3 1/2 TC-64 84" TC-64 64" TC-64 41"
4 TC-64 66" TC-64 48" TC-64 31"
R402B / R403B / R404A / R407C / 408A / R502
1/2 TC-31 56" TC-42 119" TC-42 78"
3/4 TC-31 39" TC-42 85" TC-42 55"
1 TC-42 28" TC-49 63" TC-64 119"
1-1/2 TC-49 79" TC-49 32" TC-64 94"
2 TC-49 47" TC-64 110" TC-64 71"
2-1/2 TC-49 43" TC-64 96" TC-64 64"
3 TC-64 111" TC-64 79" TC-64 57"
3-1/2 TC-64 92" TC-64 70" TC-64 46"
4 TC-64 73" TC-64 53" TC-64 34"
R402A / R407A, R407B / R507
1/2 TC-31 52" TC-31 32" TC-42 85"
3/4 TC-31 43" TC-42 92" TC-42 60"
1 TC-42 31" TC-49 70" TC-49 36"
1-1/2 TC-49 87" TC-49 35" TC-64 103"
2 TC-49 52" TC-49 28" TC-64 78"
2-1/2 TC-49 47" TC-64 106" TC-64 70"
3 TC-49 32" TC-64 86" TC-64 62"
3-1/2 TC-64 101" TC-64 77" TC-64 50"
4 TC-64 80" TC-64 58" TC-64 37"
R410A
1/2 TC-31 72" TC-31 37" TC-42 102"
3/4 TC-31 50" TC-42 116" TC-42 70"
1 TC-42 37" TC-49 83" TC-49 42"
1-1/2 TC-49 102" TC-49 44" TC-49 34"
2 TC-49 62" TC-49 37" TC-64 93"
2-1/2 TC-49 55" TC-49 32" TC-64 81"
3 TC-49 38" TC-64 101" TC-64 74"
3-1/2 TC-64 118" TC-64 90" TC-64 55"
4 TC-64 92" TC-64 70" TC-64 41"
All recommendations must be considered
approximate and variations may arise in actual
field applications.
Printed in U.S.A.
Form No. TC-803-308
Technical service: 800-323-0811
E-Mail: sales@jbind.com
Web Site: www.jbind.com
JB Industries
Aurora, IL 60505
USA
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