SAFE REFRIGERANT HANDLING
While these items will not cover every conceivable situation, they should serve as a useful guide.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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 S-17 for proper servicing.
WARNING
REFRIGERANTS ARE HEAVIER THAN AIR. THEY CAN " PUSH OUT" THE
OXYGEN IN YOUR LUNGS OR IN ANY ENCLOSED SPACE. TO AVOID
POSSIBLE DIFFICUL TY IN BREAT HING OR DEA TH:
•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 W ITH 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 WI LL BE PRO DUCED .
WARNING
SYSTEM CONTAMINANTS, IMPROPER SERVICE PROCEDURE AND/OR PHYSICAL
ABUSE AFFECTING HERMETIC COMPRESSOR ELECTRICAL TERMINALS MAY
CAUSE DANGEROUS SYSTEM VENTING.
WARNING
TO AVOID POSSIBLE INJURY, EXPLOSION OR DEATH, PRACTICE SAFE
HANDLING OF REFRIGERANTS.
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 EXPLOS ION .
• ENSURE THE HYDR OSTATI C TEST DATE DO ES NOT EX CEED 5 YEA RS.
• ENSURE THE PRESSURE RATING MEETS OR EXCEEDS 400 LBS.
WHEN IN DOUBT, DO NOT USE CYLINDER.
WARNING
TO AVOID POSSIBLE EXPLOSION:
• NEVER APPLY FLAM E OR STEA M TO A RE FRIGERAN T CYLINDE R. IF YOU
MUST HEAT A CYLINDER FOR FASTER CHA RGING, P ARTIALLY IMM ERSE
IT IN WARM WATER.
• NEVER FILL A CYLINDER MO RE THAN 80% FULL OF LIQUID REFRI GERANT.
• NEVER ADD ANYTHING OTHER T HAN R-22 TO AN R-22 CYLINDER OR
R-410A TO AN R-410A CYLINDER. THE SERVICE EQUIPMENT USED MUST
BE LISTED OR CERTIFIED FOR THE TYPE OF REFRIGERANT USED.
• STORE CYLINDERS IN A COO L, DRY PLACE. NEVER USE A CY LINDER
AS A PLATFORM OR A ROLLER.
WARNING
THE UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ("EPA")
HAS ISSUED VARIOUS REGULATIONS REGARDING THE INTRODUCTION AND
DISPOSAL OF REFRIGERAN TS INTROD UCED INTO THIS UNI T. FAILURE TO
FOLLOW THESE REGULATIO NS MAY HAR M THE ENVIR ONMENT A ND CAN
LEAD TO THEH IMPOSITION OF SUBST ANTIAL F INES. THESE REGULATIONS
MAY VARY BY JURISDICTION. SHOULD QUESTIONS ARISE, CONTAC T YOUR
LOCAL EPA OFFICE.