Refrigeration equipment Checking
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.
Electrical devices checking
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:
Initial safety checks shall include:
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.
Specialist’s Manual
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;
The actual refrigerant charge is in accordance with the room size within which the
refrigerant containing parts are installed;
That there is continuity of earth bonding.
Marking to the equipment continues to be visible and legible. Markings and signs that
are illegible shall be corrected;
That capacitors are discharged: this shall be done in a safe manner to avoid possibility
of sparking;
That no live electrical components and wiring are exposed while charging, recovering
or purging the system;
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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