
SAFE REFRIGERANT HANDLING
Whilethese items will notcoverevery conceivable situation, they shouldserveas a useful guide.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Thesuccessfuldevelopmentofhermeticallysealedrefrigera-
tioncompressorshascompletelysealedthe compressor's
movingpartsand electricmotorinsideacommon 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
compressormotorthroughterminalconductorswhichpass
throughthecompressorhousingwall. Theseterminalsare
sealedinadielectricmaterialwhichinsulatesthemfromthe
housing and maintains the pressure tight integrity of the
hermetic compressor. The terminals and their dielectric
embedmentarestronglyconstructed,butarevulnerableto
careless compressor installation or maintenance proce-
dures and equally vulnerable to internal electrical short
circuits caused by excessive system contaminants.
Ineither of these instances,an electricalshortbetweenthe
terminalandthe compressor housing may result in theloss
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.
Aventingcompressorterminalnormallypresentsnodanger
toanyone,providingtheterminalprotectivecoverisproperly
in place.
If, however, the terminal protective cover is not properly in
place,aventingterminal may discharge acombinationof
(a) hotlubricatingoilandrefrigerant
(b) flammable mixture (if system is contaminated
withair)
inastreamofspraywhichmaybedangeroustoanyoneinthe
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
terminalprotectivecoverproperlyinplace.
SeeServiceSectionS-17forproperservicing.
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
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 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 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 R-22 TO AN R-22 CYLINDER OR
R-410ATO AN R-410ACYLINDER. THE SERVICE EQUIPMENT USED MUST
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
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.