Head Pressure Control Valve Sporlan LAC-10-295HP 1-3/8 x 7/8 ODF 295 PSI

The Sporlan Valve Division, known for its innovation in refrigeration and air conditioning components, introduced the LAC-10-295HP head pressure control valve as a solution to optimize system efficiency. Originally designed for use in commercial refrigeration systems, the LAC-10-295HP plays a crucial role in maintaining proper operating pressures within the system. By controlling head pressure, this valve improves the overall efficiency and reliability of refrigeration units, helping to reduce energy consumption while extending the lifespan of the equipment. The LAC-10-295HP is utilized in a variety of industries including food service, industrial refrigeration, and HVAC systems. Its application is critical in environments where consistent temperature control is required, such as supermarkets, cold storage facilities, and restaurants. One of the unique features of the LAC-10-295HP is its compact design, which allows for easy installation and integration into existing systems. The valve is engineered to handle fluctuating pressures and maintain optimal performance under varying load conditions. Additionally, its robust construction ensures durability and longevity, making it a reliable choice for technicians and engineers alike.

REFRIGERANT: set by the PRESSURE SETTING, which on this valve is 295 psig. Sporlan's three published standard LAC settings are 100 psig for R-134a, 180 psig for R-22, R-407C and R-502, and 210 psig for R-402A, R-404A and R-507. A 295 psig setting is well above all three, and the HP suffix denotes the high-pressure build, so this valve is built for a high-pressure refrigerant, in practice R-410A and the high-pressure HFC group. It is NOT a substitute for an R-22 or R-404A valve: on those refrigerants a 295 psig receiver setting sits far outside the range Sporlan specifies, which is a receiver pressure equivalent to roughly 80 to 90 F (27 to 32 C) saturation. The valve designation and setting are stamped on the valve body. Manufacturer: Sporlan Division, Parker Hannifin Corporation, Washington, Missouri, USA Model: LAC-10-295HP What LAC stands for: Low Ambient Control Function: head pressure control for low ambient operation. This is a THREE-WAY MODULATING valve. The LAC-10 responds to RECEIVER pressure, not discharge pressure. As receiver pressure falls below the valve setting, the seat moves away from the discharge port and lets discharge gas bypass the condenser. That gas warms the liquid in the receiver and raises its pressure back to setting. At the same time liquid flow out of the condenser is restricted, backing liquid up into the condenser, reducing active condensing surface and raising condensing pressure. In summer, high receiver pressure closes the discharge port and full liquid flow resumes. Where it sits in the size range: the LAC-10 is the largest of the three direct-acting LAC valves, above the LAC-4 and LAC-5. Sporlan covers 1 to 35 ton systems with direct-acting head pressure control valves and uses pilot-operated valves above 35 tons. CAPACITY, worked example published by Sporlan: for a 12 ton R-22 system with a minimum design ambient of -20 F (-29 C), the LAC-10 rates 12.6 tons at 5 psi differential on the low ambient winter table and 12.4 tons at 1 psi differential on the high ambient summer table. Sporlan gives this as the correct selection for that duty. Capacities are based on 0 F (-18 C) evaporator temperature. How to size it: selection needs four inputs, being system capacity in tons, refrigerant, minimum ambient design temperature, and allowable pressure differential across the valve. Size at the minimum ambient design condition first, because the bypassed discharge gas has to heat the subcooled liquid leaving the condenser, then check the high ambient capacity to confirm the differential under full liquid flow. Adjustable: NO. The LAC uses a non-adjustable dome element. If the setting is wrong for your system, the valve must be replaced, not adjusted. Port size: 3/4 in (19.05 mm) CONNECTIONS on this unit, ODF solder: 1-3/8 in discharge x 7/8 in condenser x 7/8 in receiver. Sporlan also publishes the LAC-10 as 1-3/8 in discharge x 1-1/8 in condenser x 1-1/8 in receiver. Maximum rated pressure: Sporlan publishes 450 psig for the standard LAC-10. The HP designation indicates a higher-pressure build. We are not publishing an MRP figure for the HP variant that we cannot source to Parker literature. Read it off the valve body. Replacement element: non-adjustable dome element D3L, specify setting. A non-adjustable remote bulb element R3L is also published, indicated by an R following the valve setting in the model number. Materials: brass body, domed steel element, copper solder connections, metal to metal seating, knife edge metal to metal joints Unit weight: 3 lb (1.4 kg) as verified on our floor Installation note: during the off cycle refrigerant can migrate from the warm receiver to the cold condenser. Sporlan calls for an auxiliary check valve in the liquid line between the LAC and the receiver to prevent this. Caution: the valve setting makes no difference if the system is short of refrigerant. Head pressure control by condenser flooding requires enough charge to flood with. Approvals: the LAC valves are UL Recognized components under UL file SA-5460 Model designation format: LAC, valve size, setting in psig, R if remote bulb, then discharge x condenser x receiver connections, then ODF. Source: Parker Sporlan Bulletin 90-30, January 2004, pages 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. Unit weight from our own physical verification, October 2025.