Method and a system for preventing a freeze event using refrigerant temperature

A heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system comprising:

• at least one temperature sensor associated with at least one component of the HVAC system;
• a controller configured to communicate with the at least one temperature sensor;
• wherein the controller is configured to:
• receive an actual temperature value reflective of a saturated suction temperature measured by the at least one temperature sensor;
• determine whether the actual temperature value is less than a first pre-determined minimum threshold temperature value;
• responsive to a determination that the actual temperature value is less than the first pre-determined minimum threshold temperature value, initiate a timer to operate for a pre-determined time interval;
• determine whether the actual temperature value is less than a second pre-determined minimum threshold temperature value;
• responsive to a determination that the actual temperature value is less the second pre-determined minimum threshold temperature value, initiate the timer to operate for a modified time interval;
• determine whether the timer operating for the modified time interval has expired;
• and
• responsive to a determination that the timer operating for the modified time interval has expired, modify operation of a compressor.

A method of mitigating a freeze event in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the method comprising:

• measuring, using at least one temperature sensor, a saturated suction temperature;
• receiving, by a controller, actual temperature value reflective of the measured saturated suction temperature;
• determining, using the controller, whether the actual temperature value is less than a first pre-determined minimum threshold temperature value;
• responsive to a determination that the actual temperature value is less than the first pre-determined minimum threshold temperature value, initiating, by the controller, a timer to operate for a pre-determined time interval;
• determining, using the controller, whether the actual temperature value is less than a second pre-determined minimum threshold temperature value;
• responsive to a determination that the actual temperature value is less the second pre-determined minimum threshold temperature value, initiating, by the controller, the timer to operate for a modified time interval;
• determining, using the controller, whether the timer operating for the modified time interval has expired;
• and
• responsive to a determination that the timer operating for the modified time interval has expired, cycling a compressor from an activated state to a deactivated state.