Lesson 1Electrical requirements: dedicated circuit, wire sizing, disconnect, grounding, surge protectionOutlines electrical needs for safe split AC installs. Covers dedicated circuits, breaker sizing, wire sizing, disconnect placement, grounding, surge protection, and labeling for easy service in Botswana.
Dedicated circuit and breaker sizingConductor sizing and insulation typeOutdoor disconnect location and ratingEquipment grounding and bondingSurge protection and labelingLesson 2Evacuation and pressure testing: vacuum pump use, micron gauge procedure, nitrogen pressure checks and leak detection methodsDetails steps for evacuation and pressure testing to keep systems dry and tight. Includes nitrogen tests, soap and electronic leak checks, vacuum targets, micron gauges, decay tests, and recording results.
Nitrogen pressure test proceduresSoap bubble and electronic leak checksVacuum pump setup and hose selectionMicron gauge targets and decay testRecording final test resultsLesson 3Mounting systems: wall bracket selection, anchor types, and structural considerationsExplains selecting and installing mounts for indoor and outdoor units safely. Covers brackets, anchors for walls, load calculations, corrosion resistance, and vibration/noise in Botswana's varied structures.
Choosing wall brackets and standsAnchor types for common materialsLoad rating and safety factorsCorrosion resistance and coatingsVibration and noise considerationsLesson 4Indoor unit siting: ideal height, clearance, airflow patterns, avoiding heat sources and sunlightShows best indoor unit spots for comfort, efficiency, and access. Covers height, clearances, airflow, noise, avoiding heat, sun, and blocks in typical Botswana rooms.
Recommended mounting height rangesMinimum side and top clearancesAvoiding heat sources and sunlightAirflow patterns and throw distanceNoise, drafts, and occupant comfortLesson 5Outdoor unit placement: stable pad, clearance for airflow, noise considerations and vibration isolationGuides outdoor unit placement for stable, quiet operation. Covers pads, anchoring, clearances, airflow, snow/debris (adapted for dust), and vibration control in Botswana outdoors.
Pad selection and level installationRequired service and airflow clearancesAvoiding recirculation and obstructionsNoise impact on neighbors and indoorsVibration isolation pads and mountsLesson 6Drain line routing and trap design to prevent siphoning and odorsDesigns condensate drains to avoid leaks, siphoning, odors. Covers gravity/pump drains, trap sizing, venting, slope, cleanouts, terminations meeting codes and hygiene in Botswana.
Gravity drain versus pump selectionRequired slope and support spacingTrap sizing and placement rulesVenting to prevent siphoningCleanouts and drain terminationLesson 7Connection techniques: flaring vs brazing copper, use of access valves, flare torque specs and leak-prevention practicesMethods for leak-free copper connections. Compares flaring/brazing, preparation, torque, nitrogen purging, and leak prevention for reliable installs in Botswana heat.
When to flare versus when to brazePreparing and deburring copper tubeFlare nut torque values and toolsNitrogen purging during brazingLeak-prevention inspection stepsLesson 8Startup checklist and commissioning: opening service valves, superheat/subcooling checks, system balancing and test runFull startup after install. Includes valve opening, airflow check, superheat/subcooling, balancing, test in cooling/heating, documenting for Botswana's variable climate.
Pre-start visual and leak checksOpening service valves safelyMeasuring superheat and subcoolingBalancing indoor airflow and dampersTest run, data logging, and sign-offLesson 9On-site safety protocols: electrical lockout/tagout, ladder and fall safety, PPE for cutting/brazing, fire watch and hot work permitsEssential safety rules for installs. Covers lockout/tagout, ladders, falls, PPE for cutting/brazing, fire watch, hot work permits on Botswana sites.
Lockout/tagout for AC circuitsLadder setup and fall protectionPPE for cutting and brazingFire watch roles and durationHot work permits and recordsLesson 10Refrigerant piping: piping length limits, elevation differences, proper slope for drain and refrigerant oil returnLayouts piping for performance and compressor life. Covers limits, sizing, oil return slope, avoiding traps/kinks, insulation, support to cut vibration in Botswana installs.
Maximum line length and lift limitsLine sizing per manufacturer chartsOil return slope and trap locationsInsulation of suction and liquid linesSupporting and securing line sets
