•
thatcapacitorsaredischarged:thisshallbedonein
a safe manner to avoid possibility of sparking;
•
thatthere no liveelectrical components and wiring
areexposedwhilecharging,recoveringor purging
the system;
•
that there is continuity of earthbonding.
2.10
Repairs to sealed components
•
During repairs to sealed components, all electrical
suppliesshallbedisconnectedfromtheequipment
being worked upon prior to any removal of sealed
covers, etc. If it is absolutely necessary to have an
electricalsupplytoequipmentduringservicing,then
a permanently operating form of leak detection shall
be located at the most critical point to warn of a
potentially hazardous situation.
•
Particular attention shall be paid to the following to
ensurethatbyworkingon electricalcomponents,the
casing is not altered in such a way that the level of
protection is affected. This shall include damage to
cables,excessivenumberofconnections,terminals
not made to original specification, damage to seals,
incorrect fitting of glands, etc.
•
Ensure that apparatus is mounted securely.
•
Ensure that seals or sealing materials have not
degraded such 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.
NOTE: The use of silicon sealant may inhibit the
effectivenessofsometypesofleakdetectionequipment.
Intrinsicallysafecomponentsdo nothavetobeisolated
prior to working on them.
2.11
Repair to intrinsically safe components
•
Donot applyanypermanentinductiveorcapacitance
loads to the circuit without ensuring that this will not
exceedthepermissiblevoltageandcurrentpermitted
fortheequipmentinuse.Intrinsicallysafecomponents
are the only types that can be worked on while live
inthepresenceofaflammableatmosphere.Thetest
apparatus shall be at the correctrating.
•
Replacecomponentsonlywithpartsspecifiedbythe
manufacturer. Other parts may result in the ignition of
refrigerant in the atmosphere from aleak.
2.12
Cabling
•
Check that cabling will not be subject to wear,
corrosion,excessivepressure,vibration,sharpedges
oranyotheradverseenvironmentaleffects.Thecheck
shall also take into account the effects of aging or
continual vibration from sources such as compressors
or fans.
2.13
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 (oranyother detector
using a naked flame) shall not beused.
2.14
Leak detection methods
•
The following leak detection methods are deemed
acceptable for systems containing flammable
refrigerants.Electronicleakdetectorsshallbeused
to detect flammable refrigerants, but the sensitivity
may not be adequate, or may need re-calibration.
(Detection equipment shall be calibrated in a
refrigerant-freearea.)Ensurethatthedetectorisnot
a potential source of ignition and is suitable for the
refrigerantused.Leakdetectionequipmentshallbe
setata percentage of the LFLof the refrigerant and
shall be calibrated to the refrigerant employed and
theappropriate percentage of gas(25% maximum)
is confirmed. Leak detection fluids are suitable for
use with most refrigerants but the use of detergents
containingchlorineshallbeavoidedasthechlorine
may react with the refrigerant and corrode the copper
pipe-work.
•
Ifaleakissuspected,allnakedflamesshallbe
removed or extinguished.
•
If a leakage of refrigerant is found which requires
brazing, all of the refrigerant shall be recovered
from the system, or isolated (by means of shut off
valves)inapart of thesystemremotefromtheleak.
Oxygen free nitrogen (OFN) shall then be purged
through the system both before and during the
brazing process.
2.15
Removal and evacuation
•
When breaking into the refrigerant circuit to make
repairs or for any other purpose, conventional
proceduresshallbeused.However,itis important
thatbestpracticeisfollowedsinceflammabilityisa
consideration.
•
The following procedure shall be adheredto:
•
remove refrigerant;
•
purge the circuit with inert gas;
•
evacuate;
•
purge again with inert gas;
•
open the circuit by cutting or brazing.
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