IMPORTANT INFORMATION
3
To avoid possible injury, explosion or death, practice
safe handling of refrigerants.
SAFE REFRIGERANT HANDLING
While these items will not cover every conceivable situation, they should serve as a useful guide.
The successful development of hermetically sealed refrig-
eration compressors has completely sealed the compressor's
moving parts and electric motor inside a common housing,
minimizing refrigerant leaks and the hazards sometimes
associated with moving belts, pulleys or couplings.
Fundamental to the design of hermetic compressors is a
method whereby electrical current is transmitted to the com-
pressor motor through terminal conductors which pass
through the compressor housing wall. These terminals are
sealed in a dielectric material which insulates them from the
housing and maintains the pressure tight integrity of the her-
metic compressor. The terminals and their dielectric em-
bedment are strongly constructed, but are vulnerable to care-
less compressor installation or maintenance procedures and
equally vulnerable to internal electrical short circuits caused
by excessive system contaminants.
System contaminants, improper service procedure
and/or physical abuse affecting hermetic compressor
electrical terminals may cause dangerous system
venting.
In either of these instances, an electrical short between the
terminal and the compressor housing may result in the loss
of integrity between the terminal and its dielectric embed-
ment. This loss may cause the terminals to be expelled,
thereby venting the vaporous and liquid contents of the com-
pressor housing and system.
A venting compressor terminal normally presents no danger
to anyone, providing the terminal protective cover is properly
in place.
If, however, the terminal protective cover is not properly in
place, a venting terminal may discharge a combination of
(a) hot lubricating oil and refrigerant
(b) flammable mixture (if system is contaminated
with air)
in a stream of spray which may be dangerous to anyone in
the vicinity. Death or serious bodily injury could occur.
Under no circumstances is a hermetic compressor to be elec-
trically energized and/or operated without having the terminal
protective cover properly in place.
See Service Section S-17 for proper servicing.
To avoid possible explosion, use only returnable (not
disposable) service cylinders when removing refrigerant
from a system.-
• Ensure the cylinder is free of damage which could
lead to a leak or explosion.
• Ensure the hydrostatic test date does not exceed
5 years.
• Ensure the pressure rating meets or exceeds
400 lbs.
When in doubt, do not use cylinder.
WARNING