How to install a split system yourself. Installation of an air conditioner in an apartment: how to do it correctly? What cable is needed to connect a split system

Unlike mobile air coolers, consisting of a single unit, domestic split systems require additional financial costs for installation. It is quite possible to reduce costs: study the detailed guide on how to install a new air conditioner in an apartment and do the installation yourself.

Preparatory stage

Split systems are most often used for air conditioning of private houses and apartments, as they are reliable, convenient and compact. The air conditioning unit consists of two units - internal and external, connected by two freon tubes, an electric cable and a drainage line.

Warning. When buying a new air conditioner, consider an important nuance: all freon is pumped into the outdoor module, and the inner one is empty. Do not open the valves on the side of the machine until you have connected the piping.

Installation of "splits" is much more difficult than installing floor and window air conditioners. Here, 2 separate blocks need to be correctly placed outside and inside the room, laid and the lines must be hermetically connected. The issue of connecting to the mains is easier to solve - a line is laid to the installed indoor module, protected by a circuit breaker.

What you need to do before proceeding with self-installation:

Buy additional materials.
Prepare special tools and fixtures.
Determine the location of both units and the route for laying highways with freon.

The arrangement of the blocks of the split system is subject to certain rules. The flow of cooled air from the indoor unit should not directly blow people around, and the maximum distance from the outdoor unit should not exceed 5 m. Most often, the unit is placed on a side partition next to a window and an external wall. Technological indents from walls and ceilings are shown in the diagram.

Now a few tips on where to install the outdoor unit:

Note. Inverter air conditioners are quieter than normal air conditioners, but the noise of the fan is still audible at night.

List of tools and materials

The following installation materials are not included in the delivery set of the split system; you will need to purchase them yourself:

metal bracket for the suspension of the outdoor module (you can weld it yourself from steel equal angles 35 x 3 mm);
four-core copper cable, type VVG, with a cross-section of 1.5 or 2.5 mm², depending on the power of the cooler;
copper pipes of freon lines with a diameter of 6.35 mm and 9.52 mm of the required length;
rubber heat-insulating sleeve K-Flex along the length of the line;
drainage corrugated pipe (metal-plastic Ø16 mm is also suitable);
wrapping tape PVA or PVC;
polyurethane foam - 1 cylinder.

Note. Depending on the conditions for laying inter-unit lines, a plastic cable channel or dry mortar may be needed to seal the furrow.

In addition to a home set of locksmith tools, the installation of an air conditioner requires the use of special tools and equipment:

hammer drill with a long drill or core drill for concrete;
vacuum pump;
manifold with pressure gauges and hoses;
a device for manual flaring of copper pipes and scissors that do not form metal shavings.

Often on the Internet there are instructions on how to install and start a split system without a vacuum pump, where air from the pipelines and the evaporative heat exchanger is pushed out by the freon pressure. We strongly advise against following such recommendations and strictly following the technology of evacuating the system before filling. Otherwise, the compressor may fail much earlier than expected.

Advice. There is a way to save money on buying or renting a rolling tool and speed up the assembly of freon lines. Ready-made installation kits are available for sale, including factory-flared tubes, insulation and cable with drain hose. The price depends on the length of the bundle (3, 5 or 7 m).

Air conditioner installation instructions

It is assumed that you have already purchased a split-system with the required cooling capacity, you know exactly the dimensions of the devices and have allocated space for them. Installation work is carried out in several stages:

Marking the route for laying interblock communications, supplying electricity and sawing a furrow in the wall (if necessary).
Fixing the indoor unit, routing pipes through the wall and connecting.
Installation of an external module, connection of communications.
Refrigerant charge and start-up.

Depending on the working conditions, the main harness is laid in two ways: openly in the PVC cable channel or hidden inside the wall. Use the first option in a residential apartment, the second - in the process of renovating the premises.

Reference. Ninety percent of manufacturers of split systems provide for the output of communications from the left end of the indoor unit. When suspended to the left of the window and hidden piping, the groove in the wall will have to be cut with a turn, as shown in the photo.

The first stage of work is carried out as follows:

An experienced master will tell you in his video how to make the right furrows and prepare for the installation of the air conditioner:

Indoor unit installation

Before starting work, remove the device from the box and read the accompanying technical documentation, where the manufacturer has its own requirements for the installation of the product and a diagram is provided. Do-it-yourself installation of the air conditioner according to the step-by-step instructions:

Advice. In order not to peel off the winding tape of the bundle, it is better to insert a plastic sleeve into the technological hole. Alternatively, make it from a plastic bottle.

After hanging the indoor unit, straighten the cable harness and lay it inside the furrow. With the open method of laying, immediately install the cable - channel and hide the pipelines there. How to accurately connect the trunks, see the video:

Installing the outdoor unit

Mounting the unit on the balcony will not cause any particular difficulties. When installing under a window, secure yourself with insurance and invite an assistant to support you while screwing on the bracket and the outdoor unit. The work is carried out in the following sequence:

Advice. In order not to crawl out of the window waist-deep, tightening the nuts under the bracket, buy special plastic clips or make them yourself. The bolt is inserted into the corner, a lock in the form of a washer is put on the thread and does not allow it to fall out. At the end, the module fastening nuts are screwed on with a long socket wrench, as it is done in the video.

Start-up instructions

At this stage, it is important to remove air and water vapor from the freon circuit by evacuation. The lines are then filled with refrigerant pumped into the outdoor unit at the factory. The following technology is used to refuel the new air conditioner:

After successful filling of the lines and the indoor module, turn on the split system for cooling, then test it in different operating modes. Make sure condensation is flowing from the drain and not along the wall under the indoor unit. Do not forget to close the ends of the service ports with standard plugs and put the cover on.

Conclusion

The success of the event is highly dependent on the quality of the installation work. If you are negligent when installing the air conditioner, then at best you will lose freon, and along with it, the money saved on calling the masters will fly into the atmosphere. In the worst case, the compressor will "grab" steam or dirt that has got into the pipeline and will fail literally in a year. So take your time and pay close attention to all connections.

Design engineer with over 8 years of experience in construction.
Graduated from the East Ukrainian National University. Vladimir Dahl with a degree in Electronic Industry Equipment in 2011.

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The split system makes life easier on summer days, but such a pleasure costs a lot of money. This situation pushes people to install air conditioners on their own. To avoid damage to the material and other possible problems, you should know the basic principles of installation, understand each stage of installation and follow the instructions. So how to properly install a split system?

How to choose an installation location

Determining the location is a fundamental stage in the installation of a split system, which is regulated by manufacturers.

With regard to location, you should know the following requirements:

The indoor unit should be placed at a distance of 20 cm from the ceiling;
The indoor unit should be placed at a distance of 30 cm from another wall;
The distance between the outdoor and indoor units must be at least 1.5 m.

It should be noted that the maximum distance between the units of the split system is not limited. Installers try not to exceed 6 meters, because if additional refueling with freon is required, additional costs will only aggravate the situation. The ideal distance is 3 meters.

The outdoor unit is often placed on open balconies or in the window area. In multi-storey buildings, they are guided by the following principle: up to the 5th floor, the outdoor unit of the split system is installed above the window and at a certain distance from it; if the air conditioner is installed on the 9th floor, for example, the outdoor unit is mounted at or below the window level.

In private houses, the choice of location depends on the strength of the walls and suitable conditions. Installation is carried out on a load-bearing wall using brackets or hung on the basement of the house itself.

What is required for self-installation

The main thing that will be required for self-installation of a split system is tools and materials. Experts do not just set a high cost for the installation of an air conditioner, because the equipment is expensive. Do not forget about the need to reinforce it.

Installation tools

Equipment for the installation of a split system:

Perforator (a tool for creating a hole in the wall through which communications are laid and the blocks of the split system are connected);
Drill and drills of different diameters, which will be needed to install the base (fasteners) for the air conditioner;
Copper pipe flare machine, with the help of which the pipe is deformed to the required diameter;
Pipe cutter, with which copper pipes are cut;
A rimmer or regular file, which is needed for pipe stripping and deburring.

Materials (edit)

The list of materials for installing a split with your own hands is larger and includes the following objects:

Copper seamless pipes exclusively for air conditioners. There is a difference between such and water pipes. For split systems, soft pipes are used, which successfully allow you to create a good seal. By diameter, this material is divided into large and medium sizes. The required length should be 20 cm longer than the length of the communication;
Split-system units connection cable. Often, a 4-core wire with a cross-sectional thickness of 2-2.5 square millimeters is used. The length of the cable should correspond to the length of the communication or be slightly longer;
Drainage tube - spiral-shaped plastic hose;
Insulation for rubber pipes;
Brackets for fixing the outdoor unit. The dimensions depend on the dimensions of the block and the bearing capacity of the wall;
Fasteners (dowels, anchors, bolts, screws, etc.);
Plastic box to hide communications at the end of the split system installation.

Installation procedure and features of work

Do-it-yourself installation of a split system consists of installing blocks and laying all the necessary communications. It is important to adhere to the instructions from the equipment manufacturer, because each model has its own characteristics that affect the method and location of installation.

Indoor and outdoor unit installation

Indoor unit installation begins with choosing a location. Make sure that electrical communications and water pipes do not pass through the attachment points.

First of all, a plate is attached, on which the block itself is then put on. It is necessary to fulfill a prerequisite, the horizontal level of the split-system plate must be ideal.

After working with the level, mark the holes. It is important to fix well the lower part of the plate, where the latches for the case of the indoor unit of the split system are located.

After successful installation of the plate, the indoor unit is put on from above and goes into the grooves, which allows it to be rigidly held on the wall.

The hole for communications should be at such a height that the drainage pipe runs downhill towards the outdoor unit (slope - 1 cm per 1 m). The diameter of the hole should be at least 5 cm. It is better to make two holes - for wires with copper pipes and separately for a drain tube.

To mark the fastening of the outdoor unit, remember that again you need to observe the level and the fact that the drain pipe must go downhill. Accordingly, the level of the outdoor unit is lower than the level of the indoor unit of the split system.

Brackets are installed first. Each hole in them must be used for its intended purpose. The more anchors hold the base, the more chances that the block will not fall. Installation of the unit itself on the brackets is carried out using bolts.

Laying of communications

The first step is to lay copper pipes. Having decided on the length, they are cut with a special tool, which was indicated above. The edges must be carefully filed.

Insulating pipes are put on top of the pipes, which serve to maintain the temperature. There should be no insulation joints. From above, everything is tightly glued with reinforced tape. Important! When pulling pipes through the hole, it is necessary to block the access to the inside to avoid the ingress of dirt and debris.

The cable is easy to wire. Stripped wires of the required size are pulled through the hole and connect the blocks of the split system.

To find where to connect the wires, you need to open the cover that is located above the copper pipe mounts on the blocks. It is recommended that you examine the wire fixings before installing the system so that there are no problems during the process.

Connecting blocks

To connect the blocks, it is necessary to observe the correct connection of the cable colors. There shouldn't be any big problems with this.

Drainage

Or . On the indoor unit there is a tube with a plastic tip, where the corrugated tube is put on and crimped with a clamp. It is advisable to bring it to a distance of 1 meter from the wall.

At the bottom of the outdoor unit, a corrugated pipe is rarely used and everything is left as it is. The water just drips to the ground.

Freon circulation system

Connecting copper pipes requires responsibility and good preparation. Before that, it is better to carefully read the instructions and study the connection points. Copper pipes should not bend too much and run evenly with the rest of the communication.

The indoor unit has two ports for connecting two pipes. First you need to twist the nuts. If something hisses during this, it's not scary, it is nitrogen that was previously pumped into the block comes out.

After cutting the pipe, the ends are carefully checked for burrs and other roughness. For 5-7 cm, the pipe should be perfectly flat. Rolling is carried out to fit the size of the port fitting. It is very important that the tube fits tightly on the fitting - this will exclude unnecessary loss of freon and ensure normal sealing.

If all is well dressed, the tube is connected to the port by screwing on the nut. In this case, there is no need to use gaskets or other devices. Such operations are performed on all ends of the two copper tubes.

Evacuation for what and how to do

Evacuation is necessary in order to clean the copper pipes from air and moisture that gets inside during installation. If it is not removed, a large load will be created, and the compressor, accordingly, will overheat.

There are two ways to pump out a split system.

Zilch method

If you look at the port where the copper pipes are connected, you can see two plugs, in addition to a nut with a union. Both plugs are unscrewed.

Work is done with a larger diameter port. Inside there is a special socket for a hex key. The size is selected locally, and can also be found in the instructions.

For 1 second, turn the valve 90 degrees with a key, then release it. This means that a little freon was released into the system, which led to excessive pressure. There is a spool on the same port, which must be pressed with a finger to start the release of a mixture of freon and residual gases. The operation is performed 1-2 seconds 2-3 times.

After all, a plug is put on the spool, and the hex port is completely unscrewed to start freon into the system. It is important to make sure that all plugs are tightly tightened, you can lubricate the threads with soap for a better seal.

Vacuum pump

The vacuum pump is connected to the spool for 20-30 minutes. During this time, he must completely evacuate the system. Then the pump is turned off, but the tube remains in the spool for 15 minutes. This is necessary in order to observe the pressure with a pressure gauge. If the arrow is frozen and stands still, then everything is fine. Chaotic movement of the arrow indicates an air or moisture leak, therefore, the pump must be turned on again.

Before disconnecting the pump, it is necessary to let the freon into the system using a hex wrench. A characteristic sound in the system indicates a successful start. After that, you must quickly disconnect the pump.

Do-it-yourself installation of an air conditioner involves the implementation of a number of works, including the choice of a kit for installation, a place for equipment, taking into account all the rules, as well as the installation of the indoor and outdoor unit itself. The split system is the most common version of such a technique, since it has fewer drawbacks along with a fairly high work efficiency.

Device location rules

Do-it-yourself installation of the air conditioner will not affect performance if you follow the instructions attached to such a technique (if a new device is purchased). Often, the indoor unit is installed at a considerable distance from the ceiling level. This option is quite acceptable, it is much more important to observe the minimum size between the device and the ceiling, which is 10 cm.

The installation height of the air conditioner is also determined based on convenience and safety, since constant exposure to the direct flow of cool air from the indoor unit can cause frequent illnesses. Taking into account the fact that the split system requires air circulation, it is important to choose an area within a radius of 2 m on which there will be free space.

Installing an air conditioner yourself also means installing an outdoor unit. At this stage, a number of work performed will depend on where the equipment is installed. If we are talking about a private house or the first floors of multi-storey buildings, then there is an opportunity to fix the block on our own. Installation of an air conditioner in an apartment on the upper floors must be carried out by high-rise installers without fail. If there is a balcony, then you will not have to call the masters.

The best location for the outdoor unit is under the window or at the center of the window. At the same time, it will be convenient to install, it will also simplify the process of further maintenance of equipment.

The rules for installing air conditioners also include the calculation of the length of the tracks. In order to avoid further unnecessary inconveniences associated with refueling the device, it is necessary to arrange both blocks in such a way that the length of the route that connects them does not exceed 6 m.The minimum allowable size is 1.5 m. at a rough estimate, it turned out that the length of the route exceeds the maximum value, it is necessary to redesign the attachment points of the equipment and achieve an acceptable length of the route.

Self-installation of an air conditioner is sometimes fraught with a number of errors, among which the most common one is non-compliance with the minimum value of the route length. If the outdoor and indoor units are supposed to be mounted in close proximity to each other (that is, on both sides of the load-bearing wall of the building), then it is important to leave a margin, the so-called loop. This will smooth out the vibration noise that occurs during the operation of the equipment, and also slightly reduce the noise effect.

If you ignore the rules for installing an air conditioner in an apartment, given the relatively small area of \ u200b \ u200bthe room, the operation of the equipment can cause poor sleep in households. In the case when the indoor and outdoor units are mounted at some distance from each other, there is no need for a loop.

Tool, accessories for device installation

Equipment for the installation of air conditioners includes a number of specialized equipment that allows you to easily equip the units with the necessary components for full operation. So, a pipe bender and a pipe cutter may be required - the devices allow you to change the configuration of the pipe without accompanying damage and without forming chips, since there is a risk of it getting into the filter system. The gauge station allows you to control the pressure level of the refrigerant. Installation and installation of air conditioners includes the need to control the tightness of the system before refueling with freon, a vacuum gauge is used for this.

After the refrigerant has been charged, a leak test should be performed, for this a leak detector is activated. Additionally, if necessary, other equipment can be used, for example, a vacuum pump. Allows you to carry out preventive and repair work when servicing equipment. Air conditioner installation tools include an electric drill, a hammer drill, drill bits to make holes in concrete walls, and a wall chaser may also be required if you want to hide the connecting routes. In order to maintain a strictly horizontal position of the equipment, it is imperative to use the building level.

When installing yourself, you need to purchase a kit for installing an air conditioner. Today there are ready-made kits that include all the necessary parts and elements for fully connecting the blocks and setting up their operation without losing the efficiency of the system. Typically, it includes different sizes of union nuts, thermal insulation material and copper pipes, a hose that acts as a drain, and two brackets for mounting the outdoor unit. The length of pipes and drainage is selected taking into account the configuration of the room, that is, you can choose a complete set that suits the individual requirements of the home.

All consumables for the installation of air conditioners are selected taking into account the model of equipment. You should also not save on the quality of connecting pipes, thermal insulation, fasteners and freon, since the duration of the air conditioning system's operation and the absence of the need for repairs directly depend on this, which can entail unnecessary costs.

Improper operation of equipment, for example, operation of a system with a complete absence of refrigerant in it will lead to compressor failure in a very short time, and replacing this unit can cost more than two-thirds of the total cost of the entire system.

The installation and maintenance of air conditioners, subject to regularity, will help to avoid such consequences, you just need to periodically clean the system and monitor the level of freon in it.

Installation features

A mounting plate is usually included with the air conditioner, which is necessary for attaching the indoor unit of the device. The air conditioner installation scheme involves the preparation of a small project, which determines the exact location and height of installation of the indoor and outdoor units, the length and path of the connecting route.

At the same time, it is important to follow the sequence of actions, for which the instructions for installing the air conditioner have been created:

The first step is to mount the panel on the wall in a specific place, as well as at the appropriate level. Such nuances are precisely determined at the design stage. The mounting panel is installed using a building level, which will allow you to get a strictly horizontal line. The attachment points are marked with a pen / marker so as not to lose sight of the exact center-to-center distances.
Then a hole of sufficient size must be drilled in the wall for routes to pass through it. If you do not have the appropriate equipment at hand, you can try to bring the connecting pipes through the window opening by drilling holes in the frame.
The installation and repair of air conditioners are directly related to each other: the more accurately and correctly all the work is performed, the less often you will have to call a foreman to set up and repair the equipment. Therefore, you need to take into account even such nuances as the slope of the drainage hole, which will allow you to easily remove the accumulated moisture.
The installation of the outdoor unit of the air conditioner requires special care due to its heavy weight. Brackets are attached to the wall according to the size of the device. It is important that the metal thickness of these elements is sufficient to withstand such a load. All work that needs to be performed on floors above the second is performed only by high-rise installers.

Next, it remains to expand the pipes and fix the ends of the routes to each of the blocks. It should be noted that when drilling a hole in the wall for laying pipes, the minimum diameter is 5 cm. If the routes will pass through the window frame, a separate hole is drilled for each pipe. Thus, the installation of domestic air conditioners includes several basic steps and does not require significant financial investments if you know how to use the tool.

Before considering the question of how to independently install a split system, you should know how it differs from a conventional air conditioner. The principle of operation of these systems consists in the operation of two interconnected blocks. One is installed indoors and the other outdoors. They can, both cool, and vice versa, heat the room. All systems have a small footprint and noise reduction.

The main nuances when installing a split system

The long service life, as well as the efficient operation of the system, directly depend on how correctly the equipment is installed. You can install the system on your own. The most important thing is not to rush and carefully understand the schemes. It is important when performing installation work not to damage the copper pipes that connect the blocks to each other and ensure their efficient operation. These elements are designed for refrigerant - freon.

For a start, it doesn't hurt to know how the system works. To cool the air, freon will flow from the outdoor unit to the indoor unit, which is located in the room. The switched on fan provides a strong flow of cooled air, which normalizes the temperature in the room or office.

For the removal of the resulting condensate, a special drainage tube is designed, extending from the unit located inside the room. It is quite possible to take her out into the street.

Before installing the equipment, you need to choose the right one. Like air conditioners, split systems differ in capacities, therefore, when choosing equipment, it is imperative to take into account the following factors:

the area of the room in which the system will be installed;
type of indoor unit - floor-ceiling, wall-mounted, cassette or multi-zone.
absence or presence of forced ventilation in the room.

Required tool

To improve the quality of work, it is advisable to prepare the necessary tools in advance so as not to be distracted during the installation process. So in order to install the outdoor unit, as well as the indoor unit of the device, you will need:

copper tubes having a diameter of 0.25 and 0.5 inches;
electric cable, cross section 1.5 mm;
drainage hose - diameter 16mm;
insulation for connecting copper pipes;
dowel nails;
stubs;
puncher;
Vacuum pump;
drill with a diameter of 55 mm;
rolling.

The first stage of device installation

Before starting installation work, you need to decide where to install the split system. To determine the most optimal location, it is worth considering some factors.

Under no circumstances should the indoor unit of the system be installed where air circulation is limited. This is possible due to closely spaced cabinets, curtains or partitions.
The distance between the equipment and the nearest obstacle should not be less than 1 meter, since cold air, reflected from it, will quickly return back without changing its temperature. Because of this, the system will quickly turn off, considering that the desired temperature regime has been reached.
It is advisable to locate the internal unit of the system away from the place where people spend most of their time.

It is not difficult to install a split system yourself, the main thing is to observe the correct operation during installation. So, when fixing the outdoor unit, you need to carefully follow that:

it was located on a flat surface, and there were no sources of heat or steam nearby;
the block was installed strictly horizontally, therefore, when fastening to the surface, it is advisable to use the building level;
an outside unit cannot be mounted close to a wall. The distance between the device and the wall should not be less than 10 cm. The air should circulate freely in the space left.

During the installation of the indoor unit, the following rules should be followed:

when installing the unit, pay attention to that. so that it is located strictly horizontally, without slopes;
try to keep the distance between the outdoor and indoor unit;
do not install the equipment against a ceiling or near a source of steam or heat.

So, when the place is chosen, you can proceed directly to the installation work. You should start with the electrical wiring. The split system should be connected to the power grid using a separate line specially dedicated for this equipment, with the obligatory installation of an additional machine in the electrical panel.

It should be borne in mind that if a house or apartment was built a long time ago, and the wiring has not changed, it may need to be completely replaced, since the split system is powerful equipment, and the old wiring may not withstand the power and this will lead to constant traffic jams " take off. "

The second stage of the split system installation

It is very important to install the indoor unit correctly, since the quality of the entire system directly depends on it. The best option is to fix the device on the wall with self-tapping screws, if the walls are finished with plasterboard, then you should definitely insert plastic spacers into it, since such material is quite loose and the screws will quickly loosen from vibration.

If the wall is made of brick, then wooden or plastic "caps" are inserted into the holes drilled for self-tapping screws, and then a plate for the block is attached with screws. Be sure to check the evenness of the plate using the building level.

The next step is to drill a through hole in the wall with a perforator for the cold pipe. Be sure to provide a slope of at least 15 degrees. It should be outward, not inward.

Next, you need to connect the copper pipes to the indoor unit of the air conditioner, as well as the drain tube to the special hose on the unit. The electrical cable can now be connected to the indoor equipment. For split systems, the cooling capacity of which is no more than 4kW, you should use a cable with a cross-section of at least 1.5mm (5-core).

The third stage of installation of the system

At the last, final stage, it is necessary to interconnect the indoor and outdoor unit of the system. To do this, do the following.

First, you need to measure the distance between the taps of the blocks.
Put special thermal insulation on the copper connecting pipes. Trim to the required length. It is equal to the measurements that were taken earlier.
At the ends of the connecting pipes, be sure to attach plugs to prevent dust from entering.
And the last step is to wrap the electrical cable and drainage system with protective sheaths.

How to avoid mistakes during installation?

It is not enough to know how to install a split system, you should avoid mistakes that can lead to the failure of the device. That is why, it is not necessary to allow frequent bends of the tubes with freon at a short distance, it is also unacceptable to weaken the connections between them. Subsequently, all this will lead to a freon leak.

It is important to ensure that the connecting pipes do not twist into a ring whose radius is less than 100 mm. This will make it difficult for the unit to pump refrigerant.

Conclusion

Now you know how to install a split system yourself. Never forget that there are no minor factors when installing it. And everything that has been done poorly or not completed to the end, for example, poor-quality rolling, loose nuts, bent pipes, dirt in them or moisture - all this will ultimately lead to system breakdown.

A split system is a complex electrical device. If it is connected incorrectly, then due to a failure in the electrical network, the board may burn in it. Therefore, make sure that a voltage relay is always installed.

For preventive purposes, for high-quality and long-term operation of the device, clean the filters in the system every month. Do not start the device in winter if it is not equipped with a winter set for work at low temperatures.

Check the drainage system before starting the unit. Usually, water is poured into the air conditioner, if no leaks appear under the block, then everything is in order.

With proper use and timely maintenance, the split system may well last for more than one year. Therefore, if your neighbors claim that all air conditioning systems are designed for a short time period, then perhaps they simply do not know how to use them correctly.

Now many people want to install in their apartment not just an air conditioner, but a split system. This is understandable, this system has a lot of advantages: it does not block natural light, since there is no need to cut it into the window frame, it does not depend on the general air conditioning system of the house as a whole, and the last - the system consists of only two blocks - external and internal ... The only thing that stops many consumers when buying is the lack of knowledge of how to install the split system by yourself, since this requires basic knowledge of the installation of climate control equipment. We will try to rectify the situation and familiarize you with the installation rules for such equipment. Let's consider everything in order.

What is a split system?

The air conditioning system consists of two separate units: an external one - a condenser, an internal one - an evaporator. These blocks communicate with each other using electrical wires and two copper pipes through which the refrigerant circulates.

The indoor unit also has a thin plastic tube through which condensed moisture is removed from the system.

Important! According to all the rules, a tube that performs a drainage function must be connected to a special drainage tank or sewer pipe. But for some reason, many take it out and water from the tube drips onto people's heads or under their feet.

How the system works

Climate technology works quite simply:

If it is necessary to cool the room, the refrigerant flows through the copper pipe from the heat exchanger of the outdoor unit to the heat exchanger of the indoor unit. That is, in this case, freon is processed by a fan, and cold air comes out of the air conditioner.
If the room needs, on the contrary, to be heated, then the heat pump of the external condenser begins to function as an evaporator, and the evaporator, in turn, begins to work as a condenser.

Important! In the external block of the split system there is a compressor, the main function of which is the compression of freon. This process greatly improves the efficiency of the device.

Mounting methods for indoor units

The internal blocks of the climate system by the method of fastening can be:

Wall mounted.
Floor and ceiling.

You should definitely know these points in order to understand how to install a split system yourself.

Most often, in apartments of multi-storey buildings, wall blocks are used. To change the direction of air flow, wall units are equipped with movable blinds. The power of wall-mounted devices is specifically limited by manufacturers, since a very strong jet of cooled air can blow away everything in its path in a small room.
If you need a split system for spacious rooms, for example, for workshops and offices, then in this case, install more powerful equipment with a floor-ceiling indoor unit.

When is the best time to start installing the climate system?

The installation of the system is best timed to coincide with the repair, since the work is dusty and serious. To install electrical wires, you will have to walk along more than one wall. In addition, if you decide to install a split system yourself, then you should take into account some important factors:

The seller is not responsible for any faulty goods if the installation work was not done by a specialized organization.
Before proceeding with the installation of the climate system, you need to figure out what it consists of and how it works, so that even in the case when specialists will be engaged in the installation, you can control the progress of work and their quality.
To install the air conditioner yourself, you need a special tool. It should be borne in mind that the list of specialized equipment is extensive, and not everyone has the skills to work with them.

Important! To save money, we advise you to do the following: do the main work yourself, and entrust the system connection and start-up to specialists. In this case, the work will be cheaper, and most importantly, the guarantee for the goods will remain.

So, what can you do yourself to install a split system:

Prepare the entire electrical part.
Outline the "track".
Punch a hole in the wall to bring the “track” out into the street. This is the hardest part of the job and it costs a lot of money. Therefore, by doing this work yourself, you will save the lion's share of the money that must be paid to specialists for connecting the system.
Strengthen the blocks.

To install a split system successfully, adhere to the following rules:

Installation of the indoor unit is carried out at a distance of 3 meters from the floor and at least 10 cm from the ceiling.
Do not place the indoor unit above cabinets, beds, or near heating elements.
Do not install the indoor unit behind curtains, screens, curtains or other obstructions to the air flow.
The indoor unit must not be installed in rooms with a source of electrical noise: induction and microwave ovens, electric ovens, in workshops with power tools. Equipment interference can damage the unit processor.
You cannot install a split system - its outdoor unit, on your own, if you live above the second floor. It is dangerous to health and life. If you live on the top floor, then the outdoor unit can be installed on a balcony or loggia. Better, of course, if the equipment is located on the north or east side. To install the outdoor unit on the balcony, you can use homemade small brackets.
The length of the freon line between the indoor and outdoor unit should not be less than 3 meters.
Install the outdoor unit so that there are no obstacles in front of it at a distance of 3 meters, otherwise the air circulation will be difficult.
For a split system, it is necessary to conduct a separate wiring and install a separate machine on the dashboard.

Split system installation tools

In order to install a split system yourself, you will need a number of accessories and tools.

Important! They can be rented or purchased. The quality of work, as well as the durability of the air conditioner, directly depends on the quality of the equipment for installation.

To work on installing the climate system, you will need the following equipment, which can be conditionally divided into the following groups:

Electrical equipment:
1. Perforator with a set of bits. This tool is necessary for punching holes in the main wall.
2. Grinder with a diamond disc.
Pipe Tools:
1. Copper pipe cutter. In no case should you cut the tubes for freon with a hacksaw for metal, since copper chips will surely remain in the gap, which will disable the compressor.
2. Tube flaring kit. It is impossible to use improvised means, since it will be impossible to achieve complete tightness.
3. Scouring. This is a tool for stripping cut pipe ends. The use of files and files for this purpose will lead to the formation of sawdust.
4. Hydraulic pipe bender.
Devices for electrical work:
1. Tester.
2. Phase indicator.
Soldering tools:
1. Burner.
2. Copper-phosphorus solder.
Refrigeration tool:
1. Vacuum pump. It is necessary to treat the refrigeration system before filling it.
2. Pressure gauge. Required to measure the pressure of the refrigerant in the system.

Important! Take note of a few valuable recommendations that will make it easier for you to install the split system yourself:

If the wall is concrete, then the armature detector will not interfere, since if the tool hits the armature during drilling, you will have to punch another hole.

It is better to purchase a copper pipe with a whole coil. An extra wire will always come in handy, but long pipelines will allow you to lower the outdoor unit lower. Be sure to make sure that the ends of the tube in the coil are factory seamed. The tube must be free of cracks and dents.

Be sure to practice trimming and scraping pipes: trim in a circular motion, and when scraping, hold the tube with the end down so that the scraped-off burrs do not fall into its lumen.

How to install a split system?

Installation of the climate system is carried out in several stages. Let's consider each of them in detail.

Stage 1. Choosing the location of the air conditioner

Following the above rules, determine where the internal unit will be located and where the external unit will be located.

Stage 2. Installation of electrical wiring

Even the smallest air conditioner consumes 1.5 kW of electricity. Therefore, the climate system needs separate wiring with a cross-section of at least 1.5 sq. Mm. It is also necessary to install a separate circuit breaker in the dashboard.

Important! When connecting the wires to the terminal board, find where the phase and zero are located using special indicators and mark them at both ends.

Stage 3. Installing an external block

If you live no higher than the second floor, using a powerful hammer drill, drill a hole in the outer wall with a diameter of 8 cm. Recommendations for a hole of 60 mm or 50 mm clearly do not take into account thermal insulation.

Important! Before you start punching a hole, be sure to fence off the section of the street under the wall with tape so that a piece of plaster or concrete does not damage people or someone's car.

The back wall of the unit should not fit snugly against the wall of the house.
The distance between the blocks should not exceed 15 meters, and the height level between them should be no more than 3 meters.
The brackets must be able to withstand the weight of the equipment, taking into account different weather conditions.
Do not install the outdoor unit directly under the drain hose, as the freon tube is also led out there. It is better to step back 40-50 cm, otherwise moisture accumulating in the condenser will fall on the inner wall of the air conditioner compressor.
When installing equipment, make sure that the unit is located strictly horizontally, without any slopes. Control the installation of the outdoor unit with a building level.
Attach the unit to the brackets using heavy-duty bolts.

Important! It is advisable to install a visor over the block to protect it from precipitation.

Stage 4. Indoor unit installation

The indoor unit is mounted on the wall in the room. Before proceeding with the installation, be very careful about its placement. The unit must be located at least 10 cm from the ceiling - this is necessary for the efficiency of the system, and at a certain distance from the walls.

Important! All these parameters are indicated in the passport of the device.

The indoor unit must be placed strictly horizontally so that all condensate goes into the drainage system, otherwise water stains on the floor cannot be avoided.

Important! In the delivery set of the product, there must be a special fastening strip that is attached to the wall, and on which the unit itself is hung.

Stage 5. Connecting pipelines

Along the planned route of electrical wiring and freon tubes, make grooves (grooves) in the wall using a grinder with a diamond disc or a wall chaser. There is another option - the entire line can be hidden in plastic decorative boxes or the wires can be closed with baseboards.

Important! In order not to make a mistake and correctly connect all the pipes, read the installation instructions for the split system.

Measure the required length of copper pipes. To do this, measure the distance between the taps of the blocks.
Cut them off with a margin of at least 1 m. The excess will go to the bends. Remember to bend the tubing very carefully to avoid wrinkling or kinking. The permissible bending radius of the tubes is at least 10 cm.
Put heat insulators on the refrigerant pipes - polyurethane foam hoses or flex insulation. Heat insulators are supplied in some kits.
Slide the threaded flanges onto the tubes and flare the ends.
Connect the pipelines to the fittings. The main thing is not to mix up the connection. Many manufacturers of the climate system have made cold and hot fittings of different diameters. Tighten the flanges on the fittings firmly, but not tightly. When sealing, you will be tightening the threaded connections.
For the drainage system, prepare a piece of reinforced plastic tubing.
Connect the tubing to the drain with a threaded flange or heat shrink tubing. The drain must be installed at a slope of at least 5-10 mm so that the water can drain naturally.
Connect the wiring between the units. The main thing is not to confuse the connection terminals of the indoor and outdoor units; for this, use a cable with multi-colored cores.

Thus, you have practically installed the split system with your own hands. It remains only to invite a specialist to seal, evacuate and start the system. The main thing is that you have kept the warranty on the equipment and saved the lion's share of the installation costs.

If you want to see how the next steps go, read on.

Stage 6. Sealing and evacuation

To check the sealing, you can use a leak detector, or you can use the old folk method - soap solution.

To prepare the solution:

Purchase 0.5 liters of distilled water from your pharmacy.
Heat the water.
Throw shavings of laundry soap into the water.

Further actions are as follows:

Connect the rubber hose of the bicycle pump to the outlet of the outlet nipple.
Using a brush, apply soapy water to the threaded joint.
Pump up air and watch for bubbles.
After the bubbles stop appearing, tighten the threaded joint another ⅛ turn.
When finished, wipe off the soapy water with a damp cloth.

Important! It is better to carry out the work on checking the sealing with two people: one pumps up the air, in the second - applies a soapy solution and monitors the bubbles.

After checking the sealing, the system must be evacuated, that is, remove dust, moisture and air that has got there. Without these measures, it is impossible to ensure the effective operation of the device.

Vacuuming is carried out using a special pump connected to the system using a gauge manifold and flexible hoses:

Turn on the pump and open the port on the outdoor unit.
After the gauge pointer goes into vacuum, close the port.
Switch off the pump.
This entire procedure can take 15 minutes. However, do not rush to turn off the pump with a pressure gauge, as the arrow may change its position.

Important! Leave the gauges in place to check the system pressure again during testing.

Stage 7. Testing

For testing, fill the system with freon from a cylinder through a special adapter on which a pressure gauge is installed.

Important! You can start the refrigerant only after you make sure that everything is done tightly.

It is necessary to pump the refrigerant in the following sequence:

Open the delivery tube.
Open the suction tube.
Wait until the pressure gauge shows the pressure indicated in the instructions.
Turn off the freon supply.

Important! Freon-powered air conditioners cannot be filled with freon, and vice versa.

Further actions:

During testing, turn on the circuit breaker so that the air conditioner will enter the mode by itself. If this does not happen, then start the test using the remote control.
Let the device run for about 15 minutes so that the freon is distributed through all the tubes and take a control pressure measurement.

We hope that the information in the article helped you understand the operation of the split system and the stages of its installation. If you have any doubts about your strengths and knowledge, then there is always the opportunity to contact specialists, because now you have sufficient information to control their work.