Hitachi RPFC-3.0UFE1NH Installation & Maintenance Manual page 9

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
The use of silicone sealants may inhibit the effectiveness of some types of leak detection equipment. Intrinsically
NOTE:
safe components do not have to be isolated prior to working on them.
8 Repairing intrinsically safe components
• Do not apply any permanent inductive or capacitive loads to the circuit without ensuring that this will not exceed the
permissible voltage and current 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 device 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.
9 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.
10 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.
11 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 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.
• 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/ extinguished.
• If a leakage of refrigerant which requires brazing is found, 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.
12 Removal and evacuation
• When breaking into the refrigerant circuit to make repairs – or 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 adhered to:
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 out" 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 close to any ignition sources and there is ventilation available.
3 HO2019291HA