Inrush Current Behavior of Packaged Commercial Heat Pumps

This paper presents laboratory investigation of packaged commercial heat pump systems (CHP) inrush current performance. These systems are typically installed in the rooftop of office, commercial, and industrial buildings. First, this paper will present the test setup that includes the test equipment used for the tests and the equipment under test (EUT). Additionally, it will provide the start-up test results to assess their inrush characteristics for each of the unit's compressors. Furthermore, it will provide the performance of these units when they reached steady state that is about 1 minute after start-up. Finally, it will offer recommendations on how these devices can be enhanced to be grid friendly and support the grid during emergencies. The test results and information presented in this paper can be used to develop, test, and validate computer models use for distribution or bulk system studies.