Copeland ZP Scroll Compressor Series (R410A)

Overview

The Copeland ZP series is Copeland’s range of fixed-speed hermetic scroll compressors for R410A air conditioning. It is designed for split systems, rooftop units, packaged units and both air-cooled and water-cooled chillers, and spans from the 1.3 hp ZP16 at about 3 kW to the 60 hp ZP725KCE at about 180 kW. Single compressors can be combined in tandem and trio assemblies, which Copeland states expands system capacity to 430 kW and 650 kW. For engineers in the Gulf, the Copeland ZP range is one of the most widely installed compressor families in commercial air conditioning and chiller equipment.

Seven Star LLC supplies Copeland ZP compressors to HVAC contractors, facility management companies, chiller service teams and equipment builders in Oman and across the GCC, with engineering support in Muscat. We help customers match the complete model and motor code on the nameplate, which is essential when replacing a compressor in an existing tandem or trio.

Operating Principle

Each Copeland ZP compressor contains a fixed scroll and an orbiting scroll driven by the motor shaft. As the orbiting scroll moves, crescent-shaped pockets of R410A vapor form at the outer edge, move towards the centre and shrink in volume until the compressed gas leaves through the central discharge port. The process is continuous, without suction or discharge reed valves, which gives smooth flow, low pulsation and low sound and vibration levels compared with reciprocating compressors.

Copeland’s scroll uses both axial and radial compliance. The scrolls are held in sealing contact under normal running, but can separate briefly if liquid refrigerant or debris passes through, which makes the compressor more tolerant of liquid and contamination and enhances reliability. Over time the scroll sets wear in rather than wear out, and the design has fewer moving parts than piston compressors. The R410A series is listed with a low oil circulation rate, and Copeland notes an extended 5 K suction superheat envelope for heat pump applications, to be confirmed with its applications engineers.

Engineering Design of the Copeland ZP

Model codes follow Copeland’s nomenclature: Z for scroll, P for R410A air conditioning, a capacity figure based on nominal Btu/h at AHRI rating conditions, a series letter and digit, and E for POE oil, followed by the motor code and bill of materials. In the 380–420 V, 50 Hz, three-phase list, small models such as the ZP24K5E, ZP36K5E and ZP54K5E use the TFD motor, mid-size commercial models such as the ZP61KCE, ZP72KCE, ZP83KCE and ZP90KCE also use TFD, and large models such as the ZP235KCE, ZP295KCE, ZP385KCE and ZP485KCE are offered with TED or TWD motor codes. The TWD variants use an external electronic protection module, while internal protection is used on smaller sizes.

Physical size of the Copeland ZP grows with capacity. In the 50 Hz three-phase table, the ZP61KCE weighs 39.9 kg with 1.66 l of oil, the ZP90KCE weighs 57.6 kg with 2.51 l, and the ZP485KCE weighs 190.1 kg with 6.3 l. Copeland’s expertise in manifolding parallel compressors allows tandem and trio arrangements with good seasonal efficiency, which is why many chillers and large rooftops use two or three Copeland ZP compressors on a common circuit and stage them according to load.

Key Features

The Copeland ZP R410A series offers the following engineering advantages:

• A broad line-up from the 1.3 hp ZP16 to the 60 hp ZP725KCE covers residential, light commercial and chiller duty.
• Tandem and trio configurations extend system capacities to 430 kW and 650 kW with excellent seasonal efficiency.
• Axial and radial scroll compliance guarantees reliability and tolerance to liquid refrigerant and debris.
• Continuous scroll compression keeps sound and vibration levels low compared with reciprocating designs.
• A low oil circulation rate helps heat exchanger performance and oil management in multi-compressor systems.
• COP values around 3.0 to 3.3 W/W at AHRI conditions are listed for the commercial KCE models.
• Large models are available with external electronic motor protection (TWD) for added diagnostics.
• A 5 K suction superheat operating envelope is listed as suitable for heat pump applications.

Industrial Applications

The Copeland ZP range is the compressor of choice in many ducted split units, packaged rooftop units and air-cooled scroll chillers that cool offices, malls, hotels, hospitals, schools and residential towers across Oman and the GCC. Water-cooled chillers and process chillers also use ZP compressors in tandem or trio sets to serve district cooling plants, data centres and industrial process loads. In oil and gas, power and water facilities, packaged units with ZP compressors cool control buildings, substations, electrical rooms and accommodation camps.

Because compressor failures in peak summer cause immediate comfort and process problems, fast access to the correct replacement matters. Seven Star LLC supplies the Copeland ZP series with engineering support in Muscat, helping maintenance teams and contractors in Muscat, Sohar, Salalah and Duqm identify the exact model, motor code and BOM, and supply related refrigeration components for the repair.

Technical Specifications

Typical Copeland ZP data from the 380–420 V, 50 Hz, three-phase table of the Copeland catalogue, at AHRI conditions (evaporating 7.2°C, condensing 54.4°C, superheat 11.1 K, subcooling 8.3 K, ambient 35°C):

How to Order

Send Seven Star LLC an RFQ with the full Copeland ZP model, motor code and BOM from the compressor nameplate, or with the capacity and electrical supply for a new design. Our refrigeration team confirms current availability and lead time, provides the Copeland catalogue attached to this page as the Copeland ZP datasheet reference and can also quote the Copeland ZR250KCE scroll compressor, the Alfa Laval M6 plate heat exchanger or the Alco 240RA8T7-T solenoid valve.

For R407C systems, see also the Copeland ZR125KCE scroll compressor.