Quick answer: GMCC, Gree and Highly are three of the largest rotary compressor manufacturers supplying the UAE HVAC market, and each uses its own model-code system to signal capacity, refrigerant and phase. GMCC’s PH and EH series cover R22 residential and light commercial units, Gree’s QX series spans both R22 and R410A across single-phase splits, and High’s CG and CSL series are commonly found in R407C and R410A light commercial equipment. When replacing a compressor, match refrigerant type, displacement (cc), voltage/phase, and connection size exactly never substitute on nominal tonnage alone.
The rest of this guide breaks down how to read each brand’s model code, which application each series is built for, and what to check before fitting a replacement on a UAE job.
Why Do GMCC, Gree and Highly Show Up on So Many UAE Compressor Jobs?
Rotary compressors from these three manufacturers sit inside a large share of the split AC and light commercial units installed across the UAE, whether the visible brand on the outdoor unit is Chinese, Japanese or Gulf-assembled. That’s because GMCC and Highly are core-component suppliers to dozens of AC brands, not just the ones with their name on the casing, and Gree uses both its own in-house compressors and outsourced units depending on the model line.
GMCC (Guangdong Meizhi Compressor Company) is a Midea Group company and the world’s largest manufacturer of air conditioner rotary compressors, supplying a large share of the rotary compressors used in air conditioners worldwide.
Gree Electric Appliances manufactures many of its own compressors through Zhuhai Landa Compressor, a wholly-owned Gree subsidiary, while also having historically sourced several million compressors a year from Shanghai Highly for other product lines, according to a 2017 industry report.
Shanghai Highly is one of China’s oldest and largest compressor manufacturers, historically linked to Hitachi compressor technology, and is a major upstream supplier to Gree and other AC and refrigeration brands.
Because these three names turn up as OEM components inside so many finished units, a UAE contractor doing compressor replacement work runs into all three brands regularly, even on jobs where the outdoor unit carries a different nameplate entirely.
How Do You Read a GMCC Compressor Model Code?
GMCC’s residential and light commercial rotary compressors mostly fall under the PH and EH series, both built for R22, and separate R410A-rated ranges for newer equipment.
PH-Series (R22, Single Phase)
Model codes follow a pattern like PH440G2CS-4MU1 or PH420G2CS-4KU1. Reading it left to right, as a general pattern for this series (verify the exact meaning against GMCC’s datasheet for the specific code you’re looking at):
PH identifies the series family.
The three-digit number (440, 420, 400, 370, 360) relates to model sizing and displacement – larger numbers generally indicate a larger frame, but the exact value should be confirmed from the manufacturer datasheet rather than assumed.
The letter and digit combination after that (G2CS, X3CS) encodes the frame and motor design.
The suffix after the dash (4MU1, 4KU1, 7KTS) identifies model-specific construction and electrical variants this is the part that most often differs between two compressors that otherwise look identical, and it should be verified against the full datasheet rather than assumed from a similar-looking code.
EH-Series (R22, Single Phase)
Slightly older frame family, seen in codes like EH130M1C-1DZDU1 and EH170M1B-1DZ1. Same logic applies: the number block relates to model sizing, and the suffix carries construction and electrical detail confirm both against the manufacturer datasheet for the exact code.
What this means for a UAE contractor: two GMCC compressors can share the same leading number and still not be interchangeable, because the suffix carries construction and electrical differences. Always verify the full model code against the manufacturer’s datasheet, not just the numeric portion.
How Do You Read a Gree Compressor Model Code?
Gree’s own-brand rotary compressors use the QX prefix, followed by a letter indicating refrigerant and series, then a frame and capacity code. Real examples from current UAE stock:
QXAS-F325N450A — R410A, single phase
QXAH-E25H050 — R410A, single phase
QXSH-F49H050 — R22, single phase
QXH-F37F050A — R22, single phase
QHX-C222B030A — R22, single phase
The second letter block is worth paying attention to: in the examples above, QXA-prefixed models are R410A, while QXS and QXH-prefixed models are R22 – but this pattern applies to these listed examples, not as a universal rule across Gree’s full range, so confirm the refrigerant from the exact model’s datasheet before ordering. Mixing this up is one of the more common causes of a “new compressor, same fault” callback an R410A compressor dropped into an R22 circuit runs on the wrong working pressure from the first startup.
How Do You Read a Highly Compressor Model Code?
High’s rotary compressor lines commonly seen in the region include the CG, CSL and related frame families, built for R407C and R410A. Typical model entries include:
CG433EB1-C — R407C
CG533QB1-C — R407C
CG633GB1-A — R407C
CSL211CV — R407C
The letter prefix (CG, CSL) identifies the frame size and mechanical family, the number block indicates cooling capacity, and the suffix again carries voltage and electrical variant detail — the same principle that applies across all three brands: never assume two compressors with a similar-looking code are interchangeable without checking the full designation.
Highly compressors are less commonly stocked as standalone replacement units in the UAE market compared with GMCC and Gree, so contractors sourcing a Highly-equivalent replacement often cross-reference to an equivalent GMCC or Gree unit — checking not just displacement, refrigerant and voltage, but also rated capacity, operating envelope, frequency/phase, oil type, mounting, port sizes, electrical components and OEM approval, rather than sourcing the exact original part number.
Which Compressor Series Fits Which Application?
| Application | Typical refrigerant | Common series |
| Residential split units | R22 (older stock) / R410A (current) | GMCC PH-series, Gree QXS/QXH-series (R22); Gree QXA-series, newer GMCC R410A ranges |
| Light commercial split and ducted | R410A / R407C | Gree QXA-series, Highly CG-series |
| VRF branch and multi-split | R410A | Use the exact OEM compressor or an officially approved cross-reference — not a general frame-size match |
| Legacy commercial equipment under service | R407C | Highly CG/CSL-series |
These are typical groupings, not fixed rules, the equipment manufacturer’s nameplate and the original compressor’s full model code always take priority over a general category match.
What Should You Check Before Fitting a Replacement Compressor?
Refrigerant compatibility first. An R22 compressor and an R410A compressor are not interchangeable even at matching displacement, because R410A operates at significantly higher working pressure than R22. Fitting the wrong one either fails immediately or destroys itself within the first few running hours.
Displacement (cc) as one check among several, not just tonnage. Two compressors marketed for the same “ton” of cooling can have different displacement figures depending on efficiency generation use the cc rating on the nameplate as one selection parameter, alongside rated capacity, operating conditions, refrigerant and electrical specifications, rather than a rough tonnage estimate.
Voltage and phase. Nominal UAE supply is 230V single phase / 400V three phase at 50Hz, though always confirm against the original equipment nameplate, since GMCC, Gree and Highly all manufacture the same frame in multiple voltage variants.
Oil type. Use only the lubricant specified by the compressor manufacturer for that model fitting a compressor per-charged with the wrong oil type into an existing circuit risks poor oil return and early bearing wear.
Connection size and orientation. Discharge and suction port sizes vary between series even at similar capacity check before assuming a physical fit.
What Mistakes Cause the Most Compressor Callbacks in the UAE?
Matching on tonnage alone. One of the most common replacement mistakes, swapping in a compressor rated for “the same size unit” without checking refrigerant type or displacement.
Ignoring the suffix on the model code. The main number often matches between two compressors while the suffix — which carries voltage and electrical variant – does not.
Reusing old refrigerant oil in a new compressor. Old oil can carry moisture and acid from a prior failure straight into the replacement, shortening its life from day one.
Skipping a root-cause check. Fitting a new compressor without finding out why the old one failed (electrical fault, refrigerant flood-back, contamination) often means the replacement fails the same way within months.
Assuming genuine parts across all suppliers. The UAE market carries both genuine OEM stock and remanufactured or grey-market units under the same model codes, sourcing from an authorised distributor materially reduces this risk.
How Do You Select the Right Replacement Compressor, Step by Step?
- Read the full nameplate on the failed compressor. Record the complete model code, refrigerant type, displacement (cc), voltage and phase not just the visible brand name.
- Diagnose why the compressor failed. Check for electrical faults, flood-back damage or contamination before ordering a replacement, so the new unit isn’t set up to fail the same way.
- Check refrigerant, displacement and full specification. Cross-reference the full model code against the manufacturer’s current range, or an equivalent from another brand using displacement as one parameter alongside refrigerant, voltage, rated capacity and electrical specifications, not as the sole match point.
- Confirm voltage and phase against site supply. Verify the replacement matches the site supply configuration nominally 230V single phase or 400V three phase at 50Hz in the UAE against the original equipment nameplate.
- Follow the OEM-approved cleanup procedure where needed. Where contamination or a burnout failure is present, follow the compressor and system manufacturer’s approved circuit cleanup and oil-change procedure before fitting the new compressor.
- Pressure test, evacuate, and confirm before charging. Pressure/leak test the circuit with dry nitrogen, repair any leaks found, evacuate to the correct micron target, confirm with a standing vacuum test, and only then charge refrigerant into the new compressor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are GMCC, Gree and Highly compressors interchangeable?
Not directly by brand name. What matters is checking refrigerant type, displacement (cc), voltage and phase alongside the full specification on the model code a GMCC and a Gree compressor with matching specifications can sometimes substitute for one another, but only after checking an approved cross-reference or confirming all application, mechanical and electrical specifications match; the original brand alone isn’t the deciding factor.
What does the number in a GMCC PH-series model code mean?
It relates to model sizing and displacement — but the exact value should be verified against the manufacturer’s datasheet rather than assumed, and the suffix after the dash carries construction and electrical variant details that must also be checked.
Can an R22 compressor be replaced with an R410A model?
No. R410A operates at significantly higher working pressure than R22, and the compressor, oil and system components are not designed for cross-use.
Why does a new compressor sometimes fail within weeks of replacement?
Usually because the root cause of the original failure — electrical fault, flood-back, or system contamination wasn’t addressed before the new compressor was fitted, so it fails from the same underlying condition.
Does Gree use its own compressors or GMCC and Highly units?
Both. Gree manufactures many of its own compressors through its Zhuhai Landa subsidiary, while also having historically sourced compressors from Shanghai Highly for other product lines.
What voltage do UAE residential compressors typically run on?
Nominal UAE supply is 230V single phase at 50Hz for most residential and light commercial splits, and 400V three phase at 50Hz for larger commercial units — always confirm against the original nameplate.
Summary
GMCC, Gree and Highly compressors appear across a large share of UAE split and light commercial AC units, often as OEM components inside other brands
Each brand’s model code structure varies by series and encodes details like sizing, refrigerant and voltage the suffix after the main number is often where compressors that look alike actually differ, so always verify against the manufacturer’s datasheet
Matching by tonnage alone is a common cause of repeat callbacks; check refrigerant, displacement, voltage, phase and full electrical/mechanical specification instead
R22 and R410A compressors are never interchangeable regardless of nominal capacity. Diagnosing why the original compressor failed before fitting a replacement prevents the same failure from repeating. Getting a compressor replacement right on the first attempt comes down to reading the full nameplate, matching every spec rather than just the tonnage, and sourcing from a distributor who can confirm the part is genuine.
Haste stocks GMCC and Gree rotary compressors across R22 and R410A ranges for HVAC and refrigeration contractors in the UAE. If you need help cross-referencing a failed compressor to the right replacement, get in touch with our team.This guide references published manufacturer and industry documentation from GMCC, Gree, JARN (Japan Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News), and DEWA’s electrical installation regulations for UAE supply voltage. Always confirm the exact replacement part against the original equipment manufacturer’s nameplate and service manual.