IMPORTANT INFORMATION
SAFE REFRIGERANT HANDLING
While these items will not cover every conceivable situation, they should serve as a useful guide.
WARNING
EFRIGERANTS ARE HEAVIER THAN AIR. HEY 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
O 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
•STORE CYLINDERS IN A COOL, DRY PLACE. NEVER USE A CYLINDER AS A PLATFORM OR A ROLLER.
WARNING
O 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
O AVOID POSSIBLE INJURY, EXPLOSION OR DEATH, PRACTICE SAFE HANDLING OF REFRIGERANTS.
WARNING
YSTEM CONTAMINANTS, IMPROPER SERVICE PROCEDURE AND/OR PHYSICAL ABUSE AFFECTING HERMETIC COMPRESSOR ELECTRICAL TERMINALS MAY CAUSE DANGEROUS SYSTEM VENTING.
The successful development of hermetically sealed refrig- eration compressors has completely sealed the compressor's moving parts and electric motor inside a common housing, minimizing refrigerant leaks and the hazards sometimes as- sociated with moving belts, pulleys or couplings.
Fundamental to the design of hermetic compressors is a method whereby electrical current is transmitted to the com- pressor 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 her- metic compressor. The terminals and their dielectric em- bedment are strongly constructed, but are vulnerable to care- less compressor installation or maintenance procedures 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 com- pressor 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 elec- trically energized and/or operated without having the terminal protective cover properly in place.
See Service Section
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