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R32 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Repairs to sealed components
- During repairs to sealed components, all electrical supplies shall be disconnected 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 shall be located at the most critical
point to warn of a potentially hazardous situation.
- Ensure that by working on electrical components, the casing is not altered in such a way that the level
of protection is affected, including damage to cables, excessive number of connections, terminals not
made to original specification, damage to seals, incorrect fitting of glands, etc.
- Ensure that the apparatus is mounted securely.
- Ensure that seals or sealing materials have not degraded to the point 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
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.
- Intrinsically safe components are the only types that can be worked on while live in the presence of a
flammable atmosphere.
- Replace components only with parts specified by the manufacturer. Other parts may result in the
ignition of refrigerant in the atmosphere from a leak.
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.
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.
The following leak detection methods are deemed acceptable for all refrigerant systems.
Electronic leak detectors may be used to detect refrigerant leaks but, in the case of flammable
refrigerants, the sensitivity may not be adequate, or may need re-calibration. (Detection equipment
shall be calibrated in a refrigerant-free area.) Ensure that 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 also 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.
NOTE: Example of leak detection fluids are
-bubble method,
-fluorescent method agents.
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