Quick answer: The testo 560i tracks refrigerant cylinder mass. A compatible intelligent-valve kit can automate supported charging workflows, but weight, refrigerant state and system approval still matter.
What makes the testo 560i different
The testo 560i is a Bluetooth refrigerant scale (up to 100 kg on the cited product page). In the kit, an intelligent valve can assist automatic charging by weight or supported target calculations; the scale by itself does not sense refrigerant superheat. For related guidance, see testo 550i: How to Measure Superheat and Subcooling.
Prepare and carry out the measurement
- Confirm the specified refrigerant, required mass and the equipment manufacturer’s approved charging sequence.
- Place the cylinder safely on the scale, account for hoses/valves and tare only after the configuration is stable.
- Record initial and final scale readings; if using an intelligent valve, confirm pairing, selected program and target in the app/manifold.
- Evaluate net mass against the approved service procedure and record any hose-content corrections or transfer interruptions.
Model-specific use and interpretation
Set the cylinder securely, zero/tare the scale before transferring refrigerant and record the beginning and ending mass. If using the smart valve, check refrigerant, target and valve connections against its manual; authorized personnel handle the refrigerant circuit.
A weight change gives transferred mass from the weighed cylinder, not automatically mass retained by the target system. Wrong tare, surface vibration or touching the cylinder during transfer can corrupt the result.
Net mass transferred equals the change in cylinder mass only when the setup accounts for hose content, tare and any other material leaving the scale.
Worked example (hypothetical)
Hypothetical weight record: the cylinder reads 8.40 kg initially and 7.85 kg afterward. The reduction is 0.55 kg (550 g) before considering any mass in hoses and the prescribed charging workflow.
Worked mass calculation
Hypothetical example: the cylinder initially weighs 13.40 kg and afterwards 12.15 kg. Mass removed is 13.40 − 12.15 = 1.25 kg (about 2.76 lb). A receiver, hoses, recovery arrangements or later adjustments can affect how much reaches a particular system. The mass difference is an accounting record, not by itself a certified charge verification.
Confirm weighing geometry and charging method
A scale measures mass leaving a cylinder when the whole relevant assembly is placed on its platform. The intelligent valve is a separate component in supported kits and requires correct pairing and programming to automate an approved charge step. A pipe-temperature based target superheat is not something the scale measures by itself. Check that the cylinder does not lean on a wall or hose and that vibration does not bias its display. For the related measurement step, see testo 115i pipe-temperature guide for measuring pipe temperature and supporting superheat calculations.
Interpretation: A 550-g cylinder mass loss is not necessarily 550 g retained in the system if a long charging hose remains full and is disconnected without accounting for its contents.
Limits and safety
Follow the exact instrument manual and the equipment manufacturer’s acceptance criteria. The example is not field evidence, a legal limit or a commissioning target. Work on energized electrical equipment, combustion systems, charged refrigerant circuits or hot surfaces requires qualified personnel and the site’s approved protective procedures.