APPLICATION AND ENGINEERING DATA

Copper Capillary Tubing

For Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning
DIAMETER AND LENGTH

FACTORS AFFECTING REFRIGERANT FLOW

Restriction can also be changed by lengthening or shortening the cap tub. The longer the
tube, the slower the flow; the shorter the tube, the
faster the flow. The general flow curve graph
(right) shows what happens to the flow of
refrigerant through a cap tube as the length is
changed. This curve is not meant to give specific
flows but to simply illustrate what happens with
all cap tubes so that the general flow pattern can
be understood.
By following the flow curve from left to right it
can be seen that for the very longest length the
flow is the smallest. Then as the cap tube length
is decreased, the flow increases slowly until
critical point "L" is reached.
At this point the flow increases more rapidly
with each reduction in length until critical point "S"
is reached. From this point on, further decrease in
SHORT COIL

100 FT. COILS

10 COILS

TC-26-16
TC-31-12
TC-36-12
TC-42-12
TC-44-12
TC-49-11
TC-50-11
TC-54-11
TC-55-11
TC-59-10
TC-64-10
TC-70-12
TC-75-9
TC-80-10
TC-85-9
TC-90-7
TC-100-10

TC-26-100
TC-31-100
TC-36-100
TC-42-100
TC-44-100
TC-49-100
TC-50-100
TC-54-100
TC-55-100
TC-59-100
TC-64-100
TC-70-100
TC-75-100
TC-80-100
TC-85-100
TC-90-100
TC-100-100

TC-26-100-101
TC-31-100-101
TC-36-100-101
TC-42-100-101
TC-44-100-101
TC-49-100-101
TC-50-100-101
TC-54-100-101
TC-55-100-101
TC-59-100-101
TC-64-100-101
TC-70-100-101
TC-75-100-101
TC-80-100-101
TC-85-100-101
TC-90-100-101
TC-100-100-101

COPYRIGHT 2004 J/B INDUSTRIES INC.

DESCRIPTION (Short Coil Length)

.026 ID x .072 OD x 16'

.031 ID x .083 OD x 12'
.036 ID x .087 OD x 12'
.042 ID x .093 OD x 12'
.044 ID x .109 OD x 12'
.049 ID x .099 OD x 11'
.050 ID x .114 OD x 11'
.054 ID x .106 OD x 11'
.055 ID x .125 OD x 11'
.059 ID x .112 OD x 10'
.064 ID x .125 OD x 10'
.070 ID x .125 OD x 12'
.075 ID x .125 OD x 9'
.080 ID x .145 OD x 10'
.085 ID x .145 OD x 9'
.090 ID x .145 OD x 7'
.100 ID x .156 OD x 10'

length causes ever increasing flow. From the

study of this typical curve, certain pertinent
conclusions can be reached that directly affect
the field application of capillary tubes.
On the graph, the section above the critical
point "L" is marked as extra long lengths.
Attempting to increase restriction (i.e. reduce
flow) by increasing length into this region is not
only uneconomical but frequently hopeless. In
addition, tubes in this range may not be responsive enough to changes in head pressures during
operation. All in all, tube lengths in this range
should be avoided where possible.
Continuing down the graph, the section
below critical point "S" should be avoided like the
plague. In this range, the tube is so short that
even small changes in length will cause very
large increases in flow. This is caused by the fact
that the length no longer affects the flow and the
tube now beings to act more like an orifice than a
capillary tube. But, without the other components
necessary to control an orifice, such as are
present in an expansion valve or high side float, a
very short cap tube will give wildly erratic operation under varying ambients and loads.
All of this would be meaningless without
some definite way to use this information. Although the critical points will vary depending on
the I.D. of the cap tubing being used, a very safe
operating rule-of-thumb can be offered. Keep the
cap tube no shorter than 5 ft. and no longer
than 16 ft.

LENGTH

The size of the cap tube is fairly critical.

Unlike orifices, such as expansion valve seats,
capillary tubes depend on their length as well as
their diameter to determine their total restriction.
The relationship between these two factors are
shown in the following charts. A change in
diameter on a percentage basis can change the
flow more than an equal change in length. To
illustrate, changing the diameter by .005" as
between .026" I.D. and .031" I.D. can double
the flow.

EXTRA
LONG
LENGTHS

CRITICAL
POINT "L"

Typical flow curve showing

changes in flow of
refrigerant through a
capillary tube with a
change in the length of the
cap tub.

OPTIMUM
LENGTH RANGE
5 to 16 FT.
CRITICAL POINT "S"
SHORT LENGTH
ACTS LIKE ORIFICE
OPTIMUM FLOW
RANGE

FLOW

CAPILLARY TUBE LENGTH CONVERSION CHART

This conversion chart enables the user to translate
the recommended length of tube diameter into sizes
stocked by J/B. In using the chart it is recommended
that conversions be made using factors within the
unshaded area.

(4) The resultant length (Min. 5 feet/Max.16 feet) of

copper cap tube will give the same flow characteristics as the original recommended cap tube.

TO USE CHART

Locate .040 in left hand column and reading across

gives the following conversion factor: No. TC-36
(.62) and TC-42 (1.25).

(1) Locate recommended cap tube I.D. in left hand

column.
(2) Read across and find conversion factor under
copper cap tube size.
(3) Multiply the given length of the recommended cap
tube by the conversion factor.

EXAMPLE

Recommended cap tube: 9'.040 I.D.

Multiply the recommended cap tube length of 9'

by the conversion factor gives the following results:
5-1/2"-TC-36 and 11-1/4'TC-42. Either of these
two cap tubes will give the same results as the
original cap tube of 9'.040 I.D.

Part No.

TC-26

TC-31

TC-36

TC-42

TC-44

TC-49

TC-50

TC-54

TC-55

TC-59

TC-64

TC-70

TC-75

TC-80

TC-85

TC-90

TC-100

Tube I.D.

.026

.031

.036

.042

.044

.049

.050

.054

.055

.059

.064

.070

.075

.080

.085

.090

.100

.024
.025

1.44
1.20

.026
.028

1.00
.72

2.24
1.59

.030
.031

.52
.45

1.16
1.00

2.00

.032
.033

.86
.75

1.75
1.54

.034
.035

.65
.58

1.35
1.16

2.31

.360
.037

.50
.45

1.00
.90

2.10
1.79

2.22

.038
.039

.39
.35

.80
.71

1.59
1.41

1.92
1.75

.040
.041

.31
.28

.62
.56

1.25
1.12

1.55
1.38

2.51
2.26

2.50

.042
.043

.25
.23

.50
.45

1.00
.87

1.24
1.11

2.03
1.83

2.23
1.98

.044
.045

.20

.39
.35

.81
.73

1.00
.90

1.62
1.47

1.79
1.60

2.32

.32

.67
.59

.82
.74

1.34
1.20

1.47
1.31

2.08
1.89

2.27
2.06

.048
.049

.54
.49

.67
.61

1.10
1.00

1.20
1.09

1.72
1.55

1.87
1.69

.050
.051

.45
.41

.56
.51

.91
.84

1.00
.93

1.43
1.31

1.56
1.44

2.14
1.96

.052
.053

.47
.43

.76
.69

.85
.78

1.19
1.09

1.32
1.20

1.78
1.64

.054
.055

.39
.36

.65
.59

.70
.64

1.00
.92

1.09
1.00

1.52
1.38

2.18
2.00

.056
.057

.54
.50

.60
.55

.85
.79

.94
.87

1.27
1.17

1.85
1.72

.058
.059

.46
.42

.51
.47

.73
.67

.80
.73

1.07
1.00

1.56
1.44

2.18

.060
.064

.39

.43
.32

.62
.47

.67
.50

.93
.69

1.33
1.00

2.04
1.50

2.07

.30

.33

.46

.67
.48

1.00
.73

1.37
1.00

1.84
1.37

1.75

.54

.74
.57

1.00
.76

1.32
1.00

1.71
1.29

.43

.62
.46

.76
.60

1.00
.79

1.62
1.27

.48

.62
.49

1.00
.80

.046
.047

.070
.075
.080
.085
.090
.095
.100
.105
.110
.115

.65
.53

.120

.43

AIR-CONDITIONING APPLICATION CHART (R-22)

B.T.U./
CIRCUIT

4000
4250
4500
4750
5000
5250
5500
5750
6000
6250
6500
6750
7000
7250
7500
7750
8000
8250
8500

CAP TUBE
Length
Size

B.T.U./
CIRCUIT

69 in
63 in
90 in
81 in
72 in
63 in
101 in
94 in
87 in
79 in
72 in
64 in
90 in
84 in
78 in
73 in
69 in
64 in
84 in

8750
9000
9250
9500
9750
10,000
10,250
10,500
10,750
11,000
11,250
11,500
11,750
12,000
12,500
13,000
13,500
14,000

TC-49
TC-49
TC-54
TC-54
TC-54
TC-54
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-70
TC-70
TC-70
TC-70
TC-70
TC-70
TC-75

CAP TUBE
Length
Size

78 in
72 in
67 in
84 in
84 in
76 in
72 in
68 in
64 in
60 in
87 in
84 in
78 in
72 in
82 in
72 in
66 in
60 in

R-134a It is suggested to add 10% to length.

Recommended capillary tube lengths for each
circuit in an air conditioner evaporator where R-22 is
the refrigerant. All recommendations must be
considered approximate and variations may arise in
actual field applications.

TC-75
TC-75
TC-75
TC-80
TC-80
TC-80
TC-80
TC-80
TC-80
TC-80
TC-85
TC-85
TC-85
TC-85
TC-90
TC-90
TC-90
TC-90

Window air conditioners normally have 1 circuit

and the recommended cap tube can be read directly
from the chart. Larger units have 2 or more circuits in
the evaporator. Where this is the case, simply divide
the total BTU rating of the unit by the number of cap
tube circuits to obtain the BTU/CIRCUIT rating of each
individual cap tube.
Example:
Air conditioner is rated at 27,000 BTU and has 3 cap
tubes connected to the evaporator. Divide 27,000 by
3 = 9,000 BTU/Circuit. From the chart, this would call
for .075 I.D. (TC-75) 72 inch long.The length and I.D.
of any cap tube may be adjusted to a more readily
available size by using the conversion chart.

REFRIGERATION APPLICATION CHART (R-12 AND R-22)*

NORMAL EVAPORTING TEMPERATURE DEGREES F
H.P.

REF.

NOTE

1/20
1/12
1/9
1/9
1/8
1/6
1/6
1/5
1/5
1/4
1/4
1/3
1/3
1/2
1/2
3/4
3/4
1
1
1-1/2
1-1/2
2
2
3
3
4
4
5

R12
R12
R12
R12
R12
R12
R12
R12
R12
R22
R12
R22
R12
R22
R12
R22
R12
R22
R12
R22
R12
R22
R12
R22
R12
R22
R12
R12

S-F
S-F
S
S
S-F
S
F
S
F
S-F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F
F

-10 to +5
16 Ft.
12 Ft.
12 Ft.
10 Ft.
10 Ft.
12 Ft.
10 Ft.
10 Ft.
8 Ft.
12 Ft.
10 Ft.
10 Ft.
12 Ft.
6 Ft.
11 Ft.
11 Ft.
7-1/2 Ft.
10 Ft.
10 Ft.
7-1/2 Ft.

TC-26
TC-26
TC-26
TC-26
TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-31
TC-31
TC-36
TC-36
TC-36
TC-42
TC-36
TC-54
TC-54
TC-54
TC-64
TC-70
TC-54 (2 pcs)

10 Ft.

TC-70 (2 pcs)

10 Ft.

TC-70 (2 pcs)

NOTE: Condenser Type: S = Static, F = FAN

+5 to +20
10 Ft.
12 Ft.
12 Ft.
10 Ft.
10 Ft.
12 Ft.
10 Ft.
10 Ft.
8 Ft.
6 Ft.
6 Ft.
6 Ft.
6 Ft.
9 Ft.
9 Ft.
9 Ft.
12 Ft.
12 Ft.
11 Ft.
7-1/2 Ft.
9 Ft.
10 Ft.
9 Ft.
10 Ft.
8 Ft.
10 Ft.
10 Ft.
10 Ft.

TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-31
TC-31
TC-36
TC-36
TC-36
TC-36
TC-36
TC-36
TC-36
TC-42
TC-42
TC-49
TC-54
TC-70
TC-70
TC-54
TC-54 (2 pcs)
TC-64 (2 pcs)
TC-70 (2 pcs)
TC-75 (2 pcs)
TC-70 (3 pcs)
TC-64 (4 pcs)
TC-70 (4 pcs)
TC-70 (5 pcs)
TC-80 (5 pcs)

+20 to +35

+35 to +50

8 Ft.

TC-36

10 Ft.

TC-42

7-1/2 Ft.
10 Ft.
8-1/2 Ft.
8 Ft.
11 Ft.
9 Ft.
7-1/2 Ft.

TC-42
TC-42
TC-42
TC-42
TC-49
TC-49
TC-54

7-1/2 Ft.
6 Ft.
6 Ft.
6 Ft.

TC-49
TC-42
TC-49
TC-49

6 Ft.
10 Ft.

TC-54
TC-64

1 Ft.

TC-80

7-1/2 Ft.
8 Ft.
10 Ft.
9 Ft.
10 Ft.
9 Ft.
10 Ft.
9 Ft.
9 Ft.
9 Ft.

TC-54 (2 pcs)
TC-64 (2 pcs)
TC-80 (2 pcs)
TC-75 (2 pcs)
TC-85 (2 pcs)
TC-75 (3 pcs)
TC-80 (4 pcs)
TC-75 (4 pcs)
TC-75 (5 pcs)
TC-85 (5 pcs)
*R-134a It is suggested to add 10% to length.

REFRIGERATION REFERENCE CHART FOR CAPILLARY TUBING

Fan Cooled Units Only. Add 10% to length for Static Cooled
SINGLE FEED
H.P.

2 FEED TUBES (Requres 2 lengths of each size listed)

LOW

MED

HIGH

H.P.

R12 / R416A
1/8
1/6
1/5
1/4
1/3
1/2
3/4
1
1-1/2
2

TC-26
TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64

110"
71"
54"
43"
93"
96"
60"
36"
84"
55"

TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-42
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

84"
96"
36"
90"
72"
48"
92"
84"
60"
40"

TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-42
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

48"
72"
24"
60"
36"
90"
72"
54"
43"
26"

R134A / R401A / R401B / R406A, R409A / R500

1/8
1/6
1/5
1/4
1/3
1/2
3/4
1
1-1/2
2

TC-26
TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64

121"
78"
59"
47"
102"
105"
66"
39"
92"
61"

TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-42
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

92"
106"
39"
99"
79"
52"
101"
92"
66"
44"

TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-42
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

53"
79"
26"
66"
39"
99"
79"
59"
47"
29"

TC-26
TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64

132"
86"
64"
51"
112"
115"
72"
42"
101"
67"

TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-42
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

101"
116"
42"
109"
87"
57"
111"
101"
72"
48"

TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-42
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

58"
86"
28"
72"
43"
109"
87"
65"
51"
32"

R22
1/8
1/6
1/5
1/4
1/3
1/2
3/4
1
1-1/2
2

R402B / R403B, R404A / R407C / R408A / R502

1/8
1/6
1/5
1/4
1/3
1/2
3/4
1
1-1/2
2

TC-26
TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64

144"
95"
70"
56"
30"
29"
79"
46"
111"
74"

TC-26
TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

111"
78"
46"
31"
96"
63"
32"
111"
79"
52"

TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-42
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

63"
95"
31"
79"
47"
32"
96"
72"
56"
34"

N/A
104"
77"
62"
33"
31"
87"
52"
32"
82"

TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64

122"
138"
50"
34"
105"
69"
37"
30"
86"
58"

TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-42
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

69"
105"
34"
86"
52"
35"
106"
79"
62"
37"

N/A
TC-26
123"
TC-31
90"
TC-31
73"
TC-31
38"
TC-42
37"
TC-49
104"
TC-49
62"
TC-49
38"
TC-64
96"

TC-26
TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-31
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64

144"
100"
60"
40"
30"
84"
44"
36"
103"
69"

TC-26
TC-26
TC-31
TC-42
TC-42
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

81"
78"
41"
101"
62"
42"
34"
94"
74"
45"

R402A / R407A / R407B / R507

1/8
1/6
1/5
1/4
1/3
1/2
3/4
1
1-1/2
2

TC-26
TC-31
TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64

R410A
1/8
1/6
1/5
1/4
1/3
1/2
3/4
1
1-1/2
2

LOW

MED

HIGH

R12 / R416A

Printed in U.S.A.
Form No. TC-803-308

1/2
3/4
1
1-1/2
2
2-1/2
3
3-1/2
4

TC-31
TC-31
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

43"
30"
96"
60"
36"
108"
84"
70"
55"

TC-42
TC-42
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

90"
63"
48"
92"
84"
72"
60"
54"
40"

TC-42
TC-42
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

60"
42"
90"
72"
54"
49"
43"
35"
26"

R134A / R401A / R401B / R406A / R409A / R500

1/2
3/4
1
1-1/2
2
2-1/2
3
3-1/2
4

TC-31
TC-31
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

47"
33"
105"
66"
40"
119"
92"
77"
60"

TC-42
TC-42
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

99"
69"
52"
101"
92"
79"
66"
59"
44"

TC-42
TC-42
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

66"
46"
99"
79"
59"
53"
47"
38"
29"

TC-31
TC-31
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

52"
36"
115"
72"
43"
39"
101"
84"
66"

TC-42
TC-42
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

108"
77"
58"
110"
101"
87"
72"
64"
48"

TC-42
TC-42
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

72"
50"
108"
86"
65"
58"
52"
41"
31"

TC-42
TC-42
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

119"
85"
63"
32"
110"
96"
79"
70"
53"

TC-42
TC-42
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

78"
55"
119"
94"
71"
64"
57"
46"
34"

R22
1/2
3/4
1
1-1/2
2
2-1/2
3
3 1/2
4

R402B / R403B / R404A / R407C / 408A / R502

1/2
3/4
1
1-1/2
2
2-1/2
3
3-1/2
4

TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

56"
39"
28"
79"
47"
43"
111"
92"
73"

R402A / R407A, R407B / R507

1/2
3/4
1
1-1/2
2
2-1/2
3
3-1/2
4

TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64

52"
43"
31"
87"
52"
47"
32"
101"
80"

TC-31
TC-42
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

32"
92"
70"
35"
28"
106"
86"
77"
58"

TC-42
TC-42
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

85"
60"
36"
103"
78"
70"
62"
50"
37"

TC-31
TC-31
TC-42
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64

72"
50"
37"
102"
62"
55"
38"
118"
92"

TC-31
TC-42
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

37"
116"
83"
44"
37"
32"
101"
90"
70"

TC-42
TC-42
TC-49
TC-49
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64
TC-64

102"
70"
42"
34"
93"
81"
74"
55"
41"

R410A
1/2
3/4
1
1-1/2
2
2-1/2
3
3-1/2
4

All recommendations must be considered

approximate and variations may arise in actual
field applications.

Technical service: 800-323-0811

E-Mail: sales@jbind.com
Web Site: www.jbind.com

AURORA, IL 60507 USA