Description / Abstract:
This Standard is restricted to refrigeration circuits that
provide air-conditioning for the passenger compartments of
passenger and commercial vehicles.
This Standard includes analytical and physical test procedures
to evaluate concentration inside the passenger compartment. In the
early phases of vehicle evaluation, usage of the analytical
approach may be sufficient without performing physical tests.
The physical test procedure involves releasing refrigerant from
an external source to a location adjacent to the evaporator core
(inside the HVAC-Module). An apparatus is used to provide a
repeatable, calibrated leak rate. If the system has multiple
evaporators, leakage could be simulated at any of the evaporator
locations.
This standard gives detail information on the techniques for
measuring R-744 [CO2] and R-1234yf [HFO-1234yf], but the general
techniques described here can be used for other refrigerants as
well.
Purpose
The purpose of this SAE Standard is to provide a uniform test
procedure to evaluate the refrigerant concentration level inside of
a vehicle passenger compartment resulting from leakage of
refrigerant from a Mobile Air Conditioning system (MAC). This
Standard does not establish concentration limits.
Refrigerant can leak from the evaporator, hoses, lines, and
connectors that are directly exposed to the passenger compartment
or the cabin air distribution system. Refrigerant concentration is
influenced by leak size, refrigerant charge, HVAC operation mode,
body sealing, and vehicle operation mode.