Sanhua RFGB06E-1.5-724 Thermostatic Expansion Valve – R290 (Propane), Externally Equalized, 1.5 USRT (≈5.3 kW), Built-In Orifice

Sanhua RFGB06E-1.5-724, R290 (propane) refrigerant thermostatic expansion valve (TXV). It continuously adjusts the refrigerant flow entering the evaporator according to the superheat at the evaporator outlet. It is used in commercial coolers, heat pumps and natural-refrigerant air conditioning systems running on R290.

Orifice Built Into the Body: No Need to Buy a Separate Orifice

The distinguishing feature of the RFGB series is its built-in orifice. In Sanhua's RFKH series, the orifice is sold separately and must be ordered together with the valve; in the RFGB, the orifice is inside the valve — the product works on its own straight out of the box.

The trade-off is this: the capacity is fixed by the valve itself and cannot be changed later. If you want to change the capacity, the whole valve is replaced. This is preferred in small and series-production applications; in systems where capacity changes frequently, RFKH is more flexible.

Technical Specifications (Official Sanhua Datasheet)

• Model: Sanhua RFGB06E-1.5-724
• Refrigerant: R290 (propane) — 🔥 flammable refrigerant (class A3)
• Nominal Capacity: 1.5 USRT (≈ 5.3 kW)
• Equalization Type: External equalization — 1/4" ODF equalizer connection measures the actual pressure at the evaporator outlet
• Orifice: Built into the body (built-in), not replaceable
• Max. Working Pressure: 2.8 MPa (28 bar) — for R290
• Refrigerant Temperature: −40 … +70 °C | Ambient Temperature: −35 … +55 °C
• Capillary Tube: 800 mm | Connection tubes: all copper
• Construction: Warm thermo head construction
• Certificates: UL/CSA · PED declaration
• Code reading: RFGB = TXV with built-in orifice · 06 = R290 · E = external equalization · 1.5 = nominal capacity (USRT)

• ⚠️ Confirm the connection size before ordering. Sanhua produces this capacity with four connection options: 1/4"→3/8" · 3/8"→1/2" · 6→10 mm · 10→12 mm (all ODF brazed). There are also straight and angle body options — on the straight body the superheat can be adjusted in the field, on the angle body it is factory-set. Tell us your system pipe size and we will confirm the correct variant.
• 🔧 External equalization (E) advantage: Through the 1/4" equalizer line, the valve measures the actual pressure at the evaporator outlet. In distributor-fed, multi-pass or high pressure-drop evaporators, external equalization is mandatory — an internally equalized valve opens less than required under these conditions.
• Connect the equalizer line to the evaporator outlet, immediately downstream of the sensing bulb; a blocked or unconnected line disrupts the valve completely.
• 🔧 Sensing bulb connection: clamp it to the suction pipe on a horizontal run at the 3-4 o'clock position, in full contact, and insulate it. If it is attached under the pipe, oil accumulation causes false readings.
• Cool the body with a wet cloth during brazing and purge with nitrogen; the built-in orifice and internal seal are damaged by heat. In an R290 circuit, make sure the line is completely evacuated before brazing.
• 🔥 R290 IS A FLAMMABLE REFRIGERANT (class A3). Installation, leak checking and servicing must be carried out according to flammable refrigerant rules. This valve is only for R290 systems; it must not be used in an R404A, R134a or R407C circuit — the thermal charge is different and superheat control goes off. For other refrigerants, the codes RFGB02 (R407C), RFGB03 (R404A/R507A) and RFGB04 (R134a) are used.