NIBCO MA817UD Installation guide

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

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.