INSTALLATION, OPERATION & MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
CAUTION: Only qualified personnel should undertake the procedures outlined in this document. NIBCO INC., its
agents, representatives and employees assumes no liability for the use of these procedures. These procedures are
offered as suggestions only.
NIBCO Technical Services • Phone: 1.888.446.4226 • Fax: 1.888.336.4226
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NIBCO INC.
WORLD HEADQUARTERS
1516 MIDDLEBURY ST.
ELKHART, IN 46516-4740
USA
PHONE: 574.295.3000
FAX: 574.295.3307
WEB: www.nibco.com
Review Date: 11/1/2025
Original Date: 11/1/2022
NIBCO Document Number: NTB-1122-01
SPECIAL WARNING – Do Not Allow Contact
Polyol Ester Oil Incompatibility with PVC, CPVC, or ABS Materials
Certain chemicals can cause Environmental Stress Cracking (ESC) in PVC, CPVC, and ABS piping
materials. One such chemical that can be encountered in air conditioning and refrigeration
condensate drains is Polyol Ester oil, commonly called POE oil, which is a type of Synthetic oil used
to lubricate refrigeration compressors.
POE oil is highly incompatible with PVC, CPVC, and ABS materials resulting in subsequent leaking.
POE can enter the condensate system if the refrigerant circuit is opened during repair work. POE oil
is also hygroscopic and can pick up moisture from the surroundings. In such cases, condensates
may easily contain POE oils.
Plastic piping in hydronic heating systems can also occasionally fail because of chemical
contamination by POE lubricant oil used in the heat-exchanger refrigerant. While leaks in the heat
exchanger are rare, when a leak does occur, it can lead to almost immediate failure of the piping
system owing to chemical attack by the POE oil lubricant in the refrigerant.
Today, there is substantial information commercially available on materials used in compressors and
refrigeration equipment. It is the designer and installer’s responsibility to ensure that all equipment
and operating conditions in the system show good compatibility with both refrigerants and lubricants.
This includes but is not limited to different coatings, metals, seals, and plastic components including
condensate drains.
Always consult the latest edition of the NIBCO Chem-Guide and other applicable installation
documentation, including local code requirements and restrictions, before installing any NIBCO
product.
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