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Checks to the refrigeration equipment
Where electrical components are being changed, they shall be fit for the purpose and
to the correct specification. At all times the manufacturer's maintenance and service
guidelines shall be followed. If in doubt consult the manufacturer's technical department
for assistance. The following checks shall be applied to installations using flammable
refrigerants:
The charge size is in accordance with the room size within which the refrigerant
containing parts are installed;
The ventilation machinery and outlets are operating adequately and are not obstructed;
If an indirect refrigerating circuit is being used, the secondary circuit shall be checked for
the presence of refrigerant;
Marking to the equipment continues to be visible and legible. Markings and signs that are
illegible shall be corrected;
Refrigeration pipe or components are installed in a position where they are unlikely to be
exposed to any substance which may corrode refrigerant containing components, unless
the components are constructed of materials which are inherently resistant to being
corroded or are suitably protected against being so corroded.
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Checks to electrical devices
Repair and maintenance to electrical components shall include initial safety checks and
component inspection procedures. If a fault exists that could compromise safety, then
no electrical supply shall be connected to the circuit until it is satisfactorily dealt with. If
the fault cannot be corrected immediately but it is necessary to continue operation, an
adequate temporary solution shall be used. This shall be reported to the owner of the
equipment so all parties are advised.
Initial safety checks shall include:
That capacitors are discharged: this shall be done in a safe manner to avoid possibility
of sparking; That there no live electrical components and wiring are exposed while
charging, recovering or purging the system; That there is continuity of earth bonding.
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Repairs to sealed components
During repairs to sealed components, all electrical supplies shall be disconnected from
the equipment being worked upon prior to any removal of sealed covers, etc. If it is
absolutely necessary to have an electrical supply to equipment during servicing, then a
permanently operating form of leak detection shall be located at the most critical point
to warn of a potentially hazardous situation.
Particular attention shall be paid to the following to ensure that by working on electrical
components, the casing is not altered in such a way that the level of protection is
affected. This shall include damage to cables, excessive number of connections,
terminals not made to original specification, damage to seals, incorrect fitting of glands,
etc. Ensure that apparatus is mounted securely. Ensure that seals or sealing materials
have not degraded such that they no longer serve the purpose of preventing the
ingress of flammable atmospheres. Replacement parts shall be in accordance with the
manufacturer's specifications.
NOTE: The use of silicon sealant may inhibit the effectiveness of some types of leak
detection equipment. Intrinsically safe components do not have to be isolated prior to
working on them.
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Repair to intrinsically safe components
Do not apply any permanent inductive or capacitance loads to the circuit without
ensuring that this will not exceed the permissible voltage and current permitted for the
equipment in use. Intrinsically safe components are the only types that can be worked on
while live in the presence of a flammable atmosphere. The test apparatus shall be at the
correct rating. Replace components only with parts specified by the manufacturer. Other
parts may result in the ignition of refrigerant in the atmosphere from a leak.
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