8
EN
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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.
Checks to electrical devices
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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.
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Initial safety checks shall include:
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Capacitors are discharged: this shall be done in a safe manner to avoid possibility of sparking.
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No live electrical components and wiring are exposed while charging, recovering or purging the
system.
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Continuity of earth bonding.
Repairs to sealed components
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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.
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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.
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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.
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This shall include damage to cables, excessive number of connections, terminals not made to original
specification, damage to seals, incorrect fitting of glands, etc.
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Ensure that apparatus is mounted securely.
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Ensure that seals or sealing materials have not degraded such that they no longer serve the purpose of
preventing the ingress of flammable atmospheres.
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Replacement parts shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
Repair to intrinsically safe components
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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.
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Intrinsically safe components are the only types that can be worked on while live in the presence of a
flammable atmosphere.
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The test apparatus shall be at the correct rating.
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Replace components only with parts specified by the manufacturer.
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Other parts may result in the ignition of refrigerant in the atmosphere from a leak
Cabling Check
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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 ageing or continual
vibration from sources such as compressors or fans.
Detection of flammable refrigerants
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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.
Leak detection methods
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The following leak detection methods are deemed acceptable for systems containing flammable
refrigerants.
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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
used. 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.
