To what minimum vacuum level should an air conditioner refrigerant circuit be evacuated?

The correct minimum vacuum level to which an air conditioner refrigerant circuit should be evacuated is 500 microns. Achieving a vacuum of 500 microns helps to ensure that the moisture and non-condensable gases are effectively removed from the refrigerant circuit.

Reaching this level is essential due to the potential harm that moisture can cause in the system, such as acid formation, corrosion, and reduced efficiency. At 500 microns or lower, the pressure is sufficiently reduced to prevent the condensation of any remaining moisture, thereby ensuring that the system operates efficiently and reduces the possibility of any future issues related to moisture in the refrigerant circuit.

While lower vacuum levels (like 0 microns) may seem ideal, it is practically unreachable due to limitations in vacuum pumps and potential leaks in the system. Likewise, higher vacuum levels would not adequately remove moisture and impurities, which could lead to long-term damage to the air conditioning system. Thus, 500 microns is recognized as the effective target for evacuating refrigerant circuits.