SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
8
8. Checks to the refrigeration equipment
When changing electrical components, please ensure that they suitable for that purpose and to the
correct specifi cation. At all times, the manufacturer’s maintenance and service guidelines should be
followed. If in doubt, consult the manufacturer’s technical department for assistance. The following
checks should be applied to installations using fl ammable 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
should 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.
9. Checks to electrical devices
Repair and maintenance to electrical components should 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 should be used. This should
be reported to the owner of the equipment, so all parties are advised. Initial safety checks should
include:
• That capacitors are discharged: this should 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.
10. Repairs to sealed components
• During repairs to sealed components, all electrical supplies should 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 should be located at the most critical point to warn of a potentially hazardous situation.
• Particular attention should 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 aff ected. This
should include damage to cables, excessive number of connections, terminals not made to original
specifi cation, damage to seals, 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 entrance of fl ammable atmospheres. Replacement parts should be in accordance with the
manufacturer’s specifi cations.
Note
The use of silicon sealant may inhibit the eff ectiveness of some types of leak detection equipment.
Intrinsically safe components do not have to be isolated prior to working on them.
CONTINUED