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b) 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.
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. Intrinscially 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
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.
15) Removal and evacuation
When breaking into the refrigerant circuit to make repairs of for any other purpose conventional procedures shall be used,
However, it is important that best practice is followed since flammability is a consideration. The following procedure shall be
• Remove refrigerant;
• Purge the circuit with inert gas;
• Evacuate;
• Purge again with inert gas;
• Open the circuit by cutting or brazing.
The refrigerant charge shall be recovered into the correct recovery cylinders. The system shall be flushed with OFN to render the
unit safe. This process may need to be repeated several times.
Compressed air or oxygen shall not be used for this task.
Flushing shall be achieved by breaking the vacuum in the system with OFN and continuing to fill until the working pressure is
achieved, then venting to atmosphere, and finally pulling down to a vacuum. This process shall be repeated until no refrigerant is
within the system.
When the final OFN charge is used, the system shall be vented down to atmospheric pressure to enable work to take place. This
operation is absolutely vital if brazing operations on the pipe-work are to take place.
Ensure that the outlet for the vacuum pump is not closed to any ignition sources and there is ventilation available.
16) Charging procedures
In addition to conventional charging procedures, the following requirements shall be followed:
• Ensure that contamination of different refrigerants does not occur when using charging equipment. Hoses or lines shall be as
short as possible to minimize the amount of refrigerant contained in them.
• Cylinders shall be kept upright.
• Ensure that the refrigeration system is earthed prior to charging the system with refrigerant.
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.
