Refrigerant pressure sensor

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The refrigerant pressure sensor for the air conditioning system is located in the pressure line of the chiller circuit. In the cooling mode, the refrigerant pressure (high pressure) is sensed by the pressure sensor and evaluated in the DME.

Fig 1: Identifying Refrigerant Pressure Sensor And 3-Pin Plug Connection

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Item	Explanation
1	Refrigerant pressure sensor
2	3-pin plug connection

The refrigerant pressure sensor is supplied with 5 Volts and earth by the DME. The information is transmitted to the DME on a signal line. The signal fluctuates depending on the pressure. The measurement range from approx. 0.1 to 0.9 Volts corresponds to a pressure of approx. 0.1 bar (10 kPa) to 35 bar (3.5 MPa). With the signal of the refrigerant pressure sensor and the stored characteristic map, the DME can calculate the pressure in the pressure line of the chiller circuit and, depending on requirements, activate or deactivate the electric fan. The signal to activate or deactivate the compressor clutch is also sent via the PT-CAN to the junction box electronics (JBE).