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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
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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.
6.9. Checking electrical devices
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Repair and maintenance of electrical components shall include initial safety checks and component inspection
procedures.
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If a fault exists that could compromise safety, then no electrical supply shall be connected to the circuit until it is
satisfactorily solved.
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If the fault cannot be corrected immediately but it is necessary to continue operation, an adequate temporary solution
shall be used.
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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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That capacitors are discharged: this shall be done in a safe manner to avoid possibility of sparking;
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That no live electrical components and wiring are exposed while charging, recovering or purging the system;
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That there is continuity of earth bonding.
7 Repairing sealed components
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During repairs of sealed components, all electrical supplies shall be disconnected prior to any removal of sealed covers,
etc.
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If it is absolutely necessary to have an electrical supply for equipment during servicing, then a permanently operating form
of leak detection shall be located at the most critical point to warn a potentially hazardous situation.
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Particular attention shall be paid 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 the device is mounted securely.
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Ensure that seals or sealing materials have not degraded in such a manner 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.
NOTE:
The use of silicone sealants 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.
8 Repairing intrinsically safe components
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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.
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Intrinsically safe components are the only types that can work in the presence of a flammable atmosphere. The test
device 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 leaked in the atmosphere.
9 Cabling
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Check that cabling will not be subject to wear, corrosion, excessive pressure, vibration, sharp edges or any other adverse
environmental effects.
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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
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Under no circumstances shall potential sources of ignition be used in the search or detection of refrigerant leaks.
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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:
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Electronic leak detectors shall be used to detect flammable refrigerants, but the sensitivity may not be adequate, or may
need recalibration. (Detection equipment shall be calibrated in a refrigerant-free area.)
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Ensure that the detector is not a potential source of ignition and is suitable for the refrigerant used.
4
HO2019289HA
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