Johnson mixes refrigerant and HVAC control

  • October 21, 2024
  • Steve Rogerson

Johnson Controls has launched a modular electronic control system for commercial refrigerant and HVAC that provides temperature, humidity and pressure control.

The Penn System 550 includes A2L refrigerant leak sensing and mitigation functionality and optional two-way cloud connectivity, helping HVAC contractors and building managers with low global warming potential (GWP) A2L refrigerant regulations ahead of January 2025 when some take effect.

“The revolutionary System 550 was engineered to meet and exceed the evolving needs of the HVAC-R industry,” said Keith Gifford, product manager at Johnson Controls. “Transitioning to low-GWP refrigerants can be challenging but System 550 is plug-and-play and enables equipment manufacturers to control space temperature, humidity and system pressures while complying with the latest A2L refrigerant leak detection and mitigation regulations.”

Penn A2L refrigerant sensors are said to have the fastest response time on the market and feature speed-of-sound technology to sense refrigerant leaks quickly and ensure the safety of occupants while reducing system downtime and product loss. Authorised users can easily monitor HVAC-R system performance and review and change System 550 menu settings by subscribing to the Controls System Cloud.

When a refrigerant leak is detected, the technician is notified of exactly which A2L refrigerant sensor detected the leak through Modbus communications, simplifying and expediting maintenance and repairs. System 550 is designed so, in the future, sensors for detecting A3 refrigerant leaks, such as R290 and propane, can be used, preparing for the future as low-GWP refrigerant regulations continue to evolve.

The modular electronic control system allows up to six A2L sensors to be connected to a C550CCN control module, and up to ten relay or analogue outputs can be added through plug-in expansion modules without the need for field wiring, allowing for versatility and customisation.

System 550 supports hundreds of applications with the most popular being control of heating or cooling, staged boilers or chillers, boiler and chiller loop water temperature reset, modulated and staged temperature damper actuators, humidification and dehumidification, and combined temperature and humidity.

The modules have a full-character display and rotary encoder dial to simplify menu navigation and allow for customised sensor and output naming. The rotary dial also features a quick-access feature that helps service technicians easily change set-points. Two methods are available for HVAC-R equipment manufacturers to upload or save C550 configuration files, simplifying control set-up and commissioning.

With Controls System Cloud, authorised users can monitor system performance and receive SMS text and email alerts through cloud-based connectivity. This is especially important for A2L HVAC-R systems where service technicians want to know in real time if there is a refrigerant leak or A2L sensor failure.

Controls System Cloud can be configured to display all System 550 devices by location or enterprise, allowing users to determine quickly if equipment is operating correctly. Service companies can use data available through the cloud to determine if a technician needs to be dispatched to diagnose and service equipment.

System 550 (www.penncontrols.com/products/field-and-cold-room-controllers/modular-electronic-controls/system-550) is backed by the Penn three-year warranty and is supported by Johnson Controls network of USA, Canada and Mexico-based authorised wholesalers that provide technical support and local access to replacement controls and accessories.

To learn more, visit www.penncontrols.com or www.johnsoncontrols.com.