Originally Posted by
valentyn
Application Engineering Bulletin
AE-1294 August 1, 1992
MEGOHM VALUES OF COPELAND COMPRESSORS
......There are many factors that affect megohm
readings including contaminated refrigerant, oil
level, refrigerant in oil and current leakage through
electrical fusites or terminal plates.
Any external electrical components connected to
the compressor terminals also affect megohm readings.
Wires, contactors and relays all leak current
and will decrease compressor megohmeter readings
if not disconnected.
As mentioned earlier a single megohm reading
cannot be used to condemn a compressor since
many other factors are involved. However, limits can
be placed on megohm values that dictate action be
taken. Copeland has found that these limits are
related to the rated voltage of the compressor. Megohm
values equal to or greater than 1000 ohms per
volt are probably acceptable. For example, a 460 volt
compressor might show a megohm reading of 460,000
ohms or 0.46 megohm. Compressors with rated
voltages of 208 to 230 volts would then be operable
at megohm values of 0.208 to 0.230 megohms; for
simplicity, Copeland has set the limit at 0.5 megohms
before a compressor is condemned.