First, a thermocouple is not a flame rectifier like a modern flame sensor. A thermocouple actually generates a millivolt potential difference when it is heated by a flame—just to get that out of the way for any of you newer techs who are used to modern flame sensors. With higher efficiency gas-fired equipment being the […]

Refrigerant migration is a natural process that occurs during the off-cycle. The refrigerants have an affinity for oil and seek out the lowest-pressure areas, so it only makes sense that some refrigerant would be drawn to the compressor crankcase and may condense there. When the refrigerants condense, they saturate the oil. As a result, refrigerant […]

    Everyone in the HVAC/R trade uses some type of torch to braze or solder alloys together. So, what is the proper way to handle an oxyacetylene torch? It turns out that there’s more than one right answer. Depending on which torch rig you use, the manufacturer’s manuals for operation may vary.  Everyone (hopefully) knows […]