To trouble shoot you system it is best to divide and isolate to potential source of the problem. Review the items below which are listed by system type.
Chilled Water
- High refrigerant head pressure
- Too much refrigerant
- Old condenser
- High operating chilled water temp
- Cooling load too high
- Low refrigerant pressure
- Not enough refrigerant
- Faulty head pressure controls
- Low flow
- Not enough water flow
- Faulty flow switch
- Cooling load too high (do heat load analysis)
- Incondensables in circuit (call refrigeration mechanic)
- Old or plugged evaporator (call refrigeration mechanic)
Cooling Tower
- Fan not operating
- Motor issues, broken belts, shaft, blades
- Thermostat set too high or broken
- Blown fuses or overloads
- Not enough water flow
- Check pump valves and operation
- Check for clogged nozzles or wet deck
- Too much water flow
- Check tower balancing valve
- Discharge valve may be too open
- Tower fill in poor condition
- Cooling load too large (do load analysis)
- Fan not cycling off (check thermostat settings)
- Small load + cold temps: check pump off/bypass settings
- Check water treatment system (probes, valves, timers)
- Hard make-up water may need softener
- Consider filtration system
Closed-Loop Cooling Systems
- Air in system – ensure vents or air separators are installed
- Check expansion tank pressure
- Check pressure reducing valve on make-up line
Heat Exchangers
- Common problems: fouling or trapped air
- Use gauges to monitor temperature differential
- Changes in load or flow affect performance
Process Pipe Systems
- Undersized or plugged pipe
- Closed valve
- Undersized pump
- Other branches robbing flow
- Undersized or plugged pipe
- Closed valve
- Undersized pump
- Other branches robbing pressure
- Support pipes to reduce movement
- Use slow or modulating valves
- Install soft starters on pumps
- Install water hammer arrestors
- Use pressure reducing valve before makeup valve