Do I need an engineer to install an ATC chiller?

Installation will typically involve positioning the chiller in a suitable indoor location and connecting it to the process.

Before operation, consideration should be given to:

• Electrical supply and connection
• Process fluid inlet and outlet connections
• Pipework and hose selection
• Process fluid and filling
• Flow requirements
• System resistance and pressure
• Ventilation and heat rejection
• Ambient operating conditions
• Access for servicing and maintenance
• Any communication or control connections

The instructions and requirements for the specific chiller should always be followed during installation.

ATC supplies the chiller, but the customer is responsible for the design and integration of the wider process cooling system.

This includes the customer’s:

• Pipework
• Flow distribution
• System pressure losses
• Integration with the process
• Overall process performance

This distinction is important because the performance of the chiller’s pump depends on the system to which it is connected.

A pump creates flow, while pressure develops as that flow encounters resistance within the customer’s pipework, fittings, and process equipment.

The installation must maintain a continuous coolant flow path.

Restricting or completely blocking the flow path can result in pump dead-heading, excessive pressure, overheating, cavitation, reduced cooling performance, or potential equipment damage.

Valves, pipework, and other components within the customer’s system should therefore be considered when specifying the chiller.

If you are unsure about the flow or pressure requirements of your system, speak to ATC before installation.

ATC recirculating chillers are designed for indoor installation.

The chiller should be positioned in a suitable environment within its specified ambient operating conditions, with adequate ventilation and sufficient space around the unit for airflow and servicing.

For air-cooled chillers, particular attention should be given to heat rejection. The unit removes heat from the process and rejects it into the surrounding room, so the installation needs sufficient ventilation or environmental control to manage this heat.

Air inlets and outlets should remain unobstructed, and hot discharge air should not be allowed to recirculate back into the chiller.

Electrical installation requirements depend on the chiller model and the electrical supply at your facility.

The electrical connection should always comply with the requirements stated in the product manual and applicable local electrical regulations. Where the installation requires connection to a fixed electrical supply or other electrical work, this should be completed by a suitably qualified person.

If you are unsure about the electrical requirements of your chiller, contact ATC before installation.

If the chiller is being integrated into a wider machine, automation system, or test equipment, additional connections may also need to be considered.

RS485 communications and Volt-Free Contacts are standard on MG, G, and H Series chillers, allowing integration with external equipment such as a PLC or control system.

If remote stop/start is required, this should be specified separately. RS485 does not provide remote stop/start functionality on ATC chillers; a dedicated Remote Stop/Start Option Pack is available on compatible models.

Commissioning services are available for customers who would like additional support when bringing their chiller into operation.

Commissioning can provide additional confidence that the equipment has been correctly installed and set up before it enters service.

This can be particularly valuable for new installations, more complex cooling systems, or applications where the chiller forms part of a wider process or piece of equipment.

Commissioning does not replace the customer’s responsibility for designing and installing the wider cooling system, but provides an additional level of support when bringing the ATC equipment into operation.

If you would like commissioning support, discuss this with our team when ordering your chiller so that the appropriate arrangements can be made

Our Technical Support team can provide guidance on the requirements of your ATC chiller before or during installation.

We recommend contacting us if:

• You are unsure about the required flow or system pressure
• The chiller is being installed some distance from the process
• There are significant height differences within the system
• The installation has complex pipework or multiple flow paths
• The chiller needs to communicate with other equipment
• Your requirements fall outside the standard installation conditions
• You would like to arrange commissioning support