•
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.
C
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.
11. 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.
12. Cabling
Check that cabling will not be subject to wear, corrosion, excessive pressure, vibration, sharp edges or
any other adverse environmental effects. The check shall also take into account the effects of aging or
continual vibration from sources such as compressors or fans.
13. Detection of flammable refrigerants
Under no circumstances shall potential sources of ignition be used in the searching for or detection of
refrigerant leaks. A halide torch (or any other detector using a naked flame) shall not be used.
14. Leak detection methods
The following leak detection methods are deemed acceptable for systems containing flammable
refrigerants. Electronic leak detectors shall be used to detect flammable refrigerants, but the
sensitivity may not be adequate, or may need re-calibration.(Detection equipment shall be calibrated in
a refrigerant-free area.) Ensure that the detector is not a potential source of ignition and is suitable for
the refrigerant. Leak detection equipment shall be set at a percentage of the LFL of the refrigerant and
shall be calibrated to the refrigerant employed and the appropriate percentage of gas (25% maximum)
is confirmed. Leak detection fluids are suitable for use with most refrigerants but the use of detergents
containing chlorine shall be avoided as the chlorine may react with the refrigerant and corrode the
copper pipe-work.
If a leak is suspected, all naked flames shall be removed or extinguished. If a leakage of refrigerant is
found which requires brazing, all of the refrigerant shall be recovered from the system, or isolated (by
means of shut off valves) in a part of the system remote from the leak. Oxygen free nitrogen (OFN)
shall then be purged through the system both before and during the brazing process.
9.
Information servicing
75 / 120 EN
Split-type room air conditioner / Installation Manual
