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Dunham-Bush DCLC(D)M · Magnetic bearings and modular retrofit

Resolve module capacity, refrigerant and restart limits before comparing an oil-free centrifugal retrofit.

From Dunham-Bush (China) Industrial Co., Ltd.

Individual product research · HVACDeck Editorial · Sources checked 2026-10-11

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Manufacturer catalogue image · DCLC(D)M

01 / UNDERSTAND THE EQUIPMENT

Specify the magnetic-bearing machine and the retrofit layout together

Dunham-Bush positions DCLC(D)M as a magnetic-bearing variable-speed centrifugal chiller and heat-pump family. The official page describes an in-house magnetic-bearing compressor, permanent-magnet motor, direct impeller/shaft connection and coordinated speed/inlet-guide-vane capacity control. An oil circuit is not required by the described bearing arrangement. The page also names two-stage compression with vapour injection and CCS TOUCH control. These are actual architecture statements, rather than features inferred from a chiller photograph.

The headline cooling range is 100–1400 RT, while the modular-design paragraph names 100, 125 and 150 RT modules and assembly up to 1500 RT. Those limits are not reconciled here. R134a, R513A and R1234ze are listed as refrigerant choices, but no chosen model rating or current certification record was reviewed. A retrofit selection must establish the actual machine/module boundary, access route, hydraulic layout and operating envelope before the published range becomes a procurement specification.

02 / READ THE CONDITIONS

Published parameters and their scope

This is an equipment family; its range does not identify one orderable configuration.

Family designation: DCLC(D)M

Swipe the table, or focus it and use arrow keys, to read the conditions and sources.

Manufacturer-published values · conditions are part of the specification
Parameter	Published value	Conditions and evidence
Published cooling range	100–1400 RT headline; modular paragraph up to 1500 RT	Conflicting range boundaries; obtain issued selected configuration. Source
Named module sizes	100, 125 and 150 RT	Family choices, not selected ratings at project temperatures. Source
Compressor architecture	Magnetic bearings, permanent-magnet motor and direct drive	Supplier design description; no independent efficiency test reviewed. Source
Capacity control	Speed and inlet-guide-vane coordination	Actual turndown and stable operating map not supplied. Source
Refrigerant choices	R134a, R513A and R1234ze	Order-specific choice and handling documentation required. Source
Control options	CCS TOUCH; I-VISION; Modbus/Bacnet/Profibus choices	Protocols and remote/group control are configuration-dependent. Source

Selection and application review

Reconcile the machine boundary before sizing the retrofit

Send an hourly cooling-load schedule and actual chilled/condenser-water temperatures and flows. Request a selection that identifies model, module count, compressor count, refrigerant and capacity/input at the simultaneous project conditions. Keep the 1400 RT headline and 1500 RT modular statement visible until the manufacturer explains their different boundaries.

For a retrofit, obtain shipping splits, largest component dimensions/weights, access-route restrictions and reassembly requirements. Modular construction may help access, but the source supplies no project lifting plan or minimum passage size. Agree foundations and service clearance before treating it as a replacement for an existing machine.

Select oil-free operation across the real load envelope

The source describes magnetic bearings and removal of oil pumps, oil filters and return-oil arrangements. That simplifies the described compressor oil circuit; it does not remove water-side cleaning, electrical service, sensor checks or all machine maintenance. Obtain the actual inspection/spare schedule and technician access requirements.

Ask for stable operating limits across condenser-water temperatures, minimum load, startup and staged-module operation. Motor efficiency around 98% and a claimed 6% improvement from two-stage compression are component/design comparisons without inspected rating conditions; they cannot be substituted for measured whole-chiller or whole-plant efficiency.

Define power interruption, restart and plant supervision

The webpage describes variable-speed starting and an emergency power-loss protection design. Request the documented bearing/coast-down protection sequence, power dependencies, restoration delay and restart conditions for the selected machine. No uninterrupted cooling after loss of supply is established by that wording.

Freeze controller/software versions, installed communication protocol, alarm history and the supervisory command hierarchy. I-VISION and group/building control are described options rather than proof that the proposed unit will integrate with an existing BMS without engineering.

Close water-system and certification scope

Obtain the actual heat-exchanger arrangement, pressure drops, water-quality limits and selected heat-pump/heat-recovery/source-water duties where ordered. The source lists wastewater and seawater applications, but does not supply materials or treatment requirements for a particular fluid. Do not apply clean-water construction to corrosive source water by assumption.

Request the current exact-model certification listing and rating report if AHRI or energy certification is contractual. LEED-use wording is not a product's building certification. Compare lifecycle cost only after matching machine input, pump/tower energy and retrofit work. Price, lead time and an independently verified performance guarantee remain unknown.

Freeze the selection
Resolve capacity boundaries, module count, refrigerant and simultaneous water duty.
Approve retrofit engineering
Check transport, lifting, hydraulics, power and service access.
Witness operating states
Verify load control, power-loss/restart sequence, alarms and ordered interfaces.

Sources and review scope

Compiled by HVACDeck Editorial. Source review identifies what the publication states; it is not an independent performance test or certification.

Official DCLC(D)M product pageChecked 2026-10-11 · Full architecture/features and original magnetic-bearing family rendering reviewed; conflicting headline/modular limits retained.

Editorial method and corrections · Report a detail with this page URL