Introduction
Adjusting the capacity to the demand of the refrigeration system includes e.g. the differences between summer and winter operation, enables finely tuned capacity in compound systems and increases system COP through more stable and higher average suction pressure.
The following main methods are used for capacity control of compressors:
- on-off control, if necessary of tandem compressors or several compressors in a compound
- integrated mechanical capacity control
- speed control, e.g. with frequency inverter
Variants of mechanical capacity control
This document explains the integrated mechanical capacity control. It is available for many BITZER reciprocating compressors and can be delivered pre-mounted or as retrofit. The following variants exist (CR = capacity regulator):
- CR: stepped capacity control via blocked suction
- CRII: virtually stepless capacity control via blocked suction with increased cycling rate, also called VARISTEP
- CR + FU: stepped capacity control via blocked suction, combined with stepless speed control with a VARIPACK frequency inverter. The control requires an IQ MODULE CM-RC-02 with extension board CM-IO-B or CM-IO-C. Details:
- KT-243: Technical Information Extension board CM-IO-C for CM-RC-02
In any case, special cylinder heads with additional bores are required for capacity control.

Combination of capacity control and start unloading
- Semi-hermetic reciprocating compressors for R744 (CO2): Since the capacity regulators are designed using the bypass principle, they can also be used for start unloading.
- Semi-hermetic reciprocating compressors for hydrocarbons, HFC, HFO: If a cylinder bank is equipped with start unloading, it is no longer available for capacity control. A 4-cylinder compressor can therefore be equipped with either 2 capacity regulators or with start unloading and 1 capacity regulator. In 6-cylinder compressors, the third cylinder bank can have an additional capacity regulator.
Also observe the following technical documents
For information and safety instructions covering the entire service life of the compressor, please refer to the operating instructions, among other sources.
- KB-100: Operating Instructions Semi-hermetic reciprocating single stage compressors
- KB-120: Operating Instructions Semi-hermetic reciprocating compressors for subcritical R744 applications
- KB-130: Operating Instructions semi-hermetic reciprocating compressors for transcritical R744 applications
- KT-110: Start unloading (SU) for BITZER reciprocating compressors
- KT-140: Additional cooling for BITZER reciprocating compressors
- KT-420: BITZER reciprocating compressors with external frequency inverters
- KW-234: Semi-hermetic reciprocating compressors for transcritical R744 applications with CRII system: Troubleshooting Guide
For controlling the capacity regulators with the IQ MODULE CM-RC-01 or CM-RC-02:
- KT-230: Technical information Compressor module CM-RC-01 for reciprocating compressors
- KT-231: Technical Information Compressor module CM-RC-01 for 8FTE-100K .. 8CTE-140K and 8FTE-100Z .. 8CTE-140Z
- KT-240: Technical Information Compressor module CM-RC-02 for reciprocating compressors
- KT-241: Technical Information Extension board CM-IO-A for CM-RC-02
- KT-242: Technical Information Extension board CM-IO-B for CM-RC-02
- KW-242: Retrofitting CM-RC-02 and configuration with the BEST SOFTWARE for compressors 4VES .. 4NES
- KW-243: Retrofitting CM-RC-02 and configuration with the BEST SOFTWARE for compressors 4FES .. 4BES
For schematic wiring diagrams with the different variants of capacity control:
- AT-300: Schematic wiring diagrams for BITZER products