IMPORTANT INFORMATION
SAFE REFRIGERANT HANDLING
While these items will not cover every conceivable situation, they should serve as a useful guide.
WARNING
REFRIGERANTS ARE HEAVIER THAN AIR. THEY CAN "PUSH OUT" THE OXYGEN IN YOUR LUNGS OR IN ANY ENCLOSED SPACE. TO AVOID POSSIBLE DIFFICULTY IN BREATHING OR DEATH:
•NEVER PURGE REFRIGERANT INTO AN ENCLOSED ROOM OR SPACE. BY LAW, ALL REFRIGERANTS MUST BE RECLAIMED.
•IF AN INDOOR LEAK IS SUSPECTED, THOROUGHLY VENTILATE THE AREA BEFORE BEGINNING WORK.
•LIQUID REFRIGERANT CAN BE VERY COLD. TO AVOID POSSIBLE FROST- BITE OR BLINDNESS, AVOID CONTACT WITH REFRIGERANT AND WEAR GLOVES AND GOGGLES. IF LIQUID REFRIGERANT DOES CONTACT YOUR SKIN OR EYES, SEEK MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY.
•ALWAYS FOLLOW EPA REGULATIONS. NEVER BURN REFRIGERANT, AS POISONOUS GAS WILL BE PRODUCED.
WARNING
THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ("EPA") HAS ISSUED VARIOUS REGULATIONS REGARDING THE INTRODUCTION AND DISPOSAL OF REFRIGERANTS INTRODUCED INTO THIS UNIT. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THESE REGULATIONS MAY HARM THE ENVIRONMENT AND CAN LEAD TO THEH IMPOSITION OF SUBSTANTIAL FINES. THESE REGULATIONS MAY VARY BY JURISDICTION. SHOULD QUESTIONS ARISE, CONTACT YOUR LOCAL EPA OFFICE.
WARNING
TO AVOID POSSIBLE EXPLOSION:
•NEVER APPLY FLAME OR STEAM TO A REFRIGERANT CYLINDER. IF YOU MUST HEAT A CYLINDER FOR FASTER CHARGING, PARTIALLY IMMERSE IT IN WARM WATER.
•NEVER FILL A CYLINDER MORE THAN 80% FULL OF LIQUID REFRIGERANT.
•NEVER ADD ANYTHING OTHER THAN
BE LISTED OR CERTIFIED FOR THE TYPE OF REFRIGERANT USED.
•STORE CYLINDERS IN A COOL, DRY PLACE. NEVER USE A CYLINDER AS A PLATFORM OR A ROLLER.
WARNING
TO AVOID POSSIBLE EXPLOSION, USE ONLY RETURNABLE (NOT DISPOSABLE) SERVICE CYLINDERS WHEN REMOVING REFRIGERANT FROM A SYSTEM.
•ENSURE THE CYLINDER IS FREE OF DAMAGE WHICH COULD LEAD TO A LEAK OR EXPLOSION.
•ENSURE THE HYDROSTATIC TEST DATE DOES NOT EXCEED 5 YEARS.
•ENSURE THE PRESSURE RATING MEETS OR EXCEEDS 400 LBS.
WHEN IN DOUBT, DO NOT USE CYLINDER.
WARNING
TO AVOID POSSIBLE INJURY, EXPLOSION OR DEATH, PRACTICE SAFE HANDLING OF REFRIGERANTS.
WARNING
SYSTEM CONTAMINANTS, IMPROPER SERVICE PROCEDURE AND/OR PHYSICAL ABUSE AFFECTING HERMETIC COMPRESSOR ELECTRICAL TERMINALS MAY CAUSE DANGEROUS SYSTEM VENTING.
The successful development of hermetically sealed refrigera- tion compressors has completely sealed the compressor's moving parts and electric motor inside a common housing, minimizing refrigerant leaks and the hazards sometimes associated with moving belts, pulleys or couplings.
Fundamental to the design of hermetic compressors is a method whereby electrical current is transmitted to the compressor motor through terminal conductors which pass through the compressor housing wall. These terminals are sealed in a dielectric material which insulates them from the housing and maintains the pressure tight integrity of the hermetic compressor. The terminals and their dielectric embedment are strongly constructed, but are vulnerable to careless compressor installation or maintenance proce- dures and equally vulnerable to internal electrical short circuits caused by excessive system contaminants.
In either of these instances, an electrical short between the terminal and the compressor housing may result in the loss of integrity between the terminal and its dielectric embed- ment. This loss may cause the terminals to be expelled, thereby venting the vaporous and liquid contents of the compressor housing and system.
A venting compressor terminal normally presents no danger to anyone, providing the terminal protective cover is properly in place.
If, however, the terminal protective cover is not properly in place, a venting terminal may discharge a combination of
(a)hot lubricating oil and refrigerant
(b)flammable mixture (if system is contaminated with air)
in a stream of spray which may be dangerous to anyone in the vicinity. Death or serious bodily injury could occur.
Under no circumstances is a hermetic compressor to be electrically energized and/or operated without having the terminal protective cover properly in place.
See Service Section