Suction Pressure Optimization
The Adaptive Suction Pressure function in your AK-SM makes it 
possible to automatically optimize the suction pressure so that it 
will be adapted to the systems actual load. During optimization, 
data is collected that tells the system which refrigeration 
appliances are most heavily loaded.  This energy saving function 
can make substantial savings directly whilst also saving on 
compressor wear and tear and also providing an analysis tool for 
refrigeration appliances.
The individual controllers handle the temperature control in 
the refrigeration appliances. The load and operating conditions 
of each are continuously collected by the AK-SM via the data 
communication system. The collected data is computed and the 
“most heavily loaded” refrigeration points are identied.
An adaptation can now be made of the Suction Pressure, whilst 
ensuring the air temperature at the refrigeration appliance 
is maintained.  It is the AK-SM that collects data from the 
refrigeration appliances and it is the AK-SM that transmits any 
oset to the compressor pack control so that suction pressure 
reference is changed to suit the needs of the “most heavily loaded” 
refrigeration point. It is always the temperature at the appliance 
that takes top priority and in fact the suction pressure can oat 
down if necessary.
The time during which a refrigeration point has been designated 
“the most heavily loaded” will be summed up in the log (history) 
within the AK-SM. 
The pack suction (Po) pressure is optimized in accordance with 
the current refrigeration demand, taking into account short-
term changes (day/night setback/defrost) and long-term eects 
(seasonal/weather changes).
In order to get the best eciency out of the Po Optimization 
function it is highly recommended that a plant survey is done 
before enabling this function.  A poorly running site will not 
be corrected by Po Optimization and the maximum benets 
will not be seen - ensure all plant & evaporator cases are 
running close to their designed setpoints and that defrost are 
operating correctly.  Also ensure any manual plant override 
systems are set accordingly to allow the oating up of suction 
pressure. 
   
This feature is available on all supported 
AK-SM Evap & Pack controllers. 
Theory of operation
The Po Optimize function  uses a calculation on all controllers to 
determine a  “Load Factor”.  This has been developed by Danfoss
and is available in your AK-SM.  By use of the Load Factor the Most 
Loaded Case (MLC) is constantly updated.
Floating of the Suction Setpoint is then determined at any given 
time by the MLC
1/ The AK-SM continuously receives operating information 
from each (Po enabled) controller connected on the network.  
The AK-SM is looking for the 'Most loaded case' (MLC).  
Each evaporator is analyzed to see if it's current operating 
temperature is within a calculated MLC 'target window'.   
During defrost and including after defrost recovery, the Po 
Optimization will temporarily remove the case from the Po 
calculation loop.  This ensures that normal system uctuations 
(due to defrost etc) do not eect the overall operation of Po 
Optimization.
2/ In eect the continuous Po Optimization is looking for the 
evaporator that is under the heaviest load (the one that has to 
work the hardest to maintain temperature), but still falls within 
the MLC target 'window'
3/ Based on the MLC the Po optimization function will then send a 
control signal to the Pack controller to optimize the running  
suction pressure, i.e. oat the pressure up (based on the max 
limit set in the Pack conguration page).  As the Pack controller 
allows the suction pressure to increase the AK-SM monitors the 
complete network and ensures that the refrigerating system as 
a whole is stable.  This then is a continuous function that once 
set runs automatically and ensures the refrigeration system is 
running to the best conditions.
AK-SM 850  User Guide  Lit. no. USCO.PI.R1.E1.02 © Danfoss 07-2013  41