Service manual

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

WARNING

SYSTEM CONTAMINANTS, IMPROPER SERVICE PROCEDURE AND/OR PHYSICAL ABUSE AFFECTING HER-

METIC COMPRESSOR ELECTRICAL TERMINALS MAY CAUSE DANGEROUS SYSTEM VENTING.

System contaminants, improper Service Procedure and/or physical abuse affecting hermetic compressor electrical ter-

minals may cause dangerous system venting.

The successful development of hermetically sealed refrigeration 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 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

hermetic compressor. The terminals and their dielectric embedment are strongly constructed, but are vulnerable to

careless 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 embedment. 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 termi-

nal protective cover properly in place.

See Service Section S-17 for proper servicing.