Specifications

4 Rev. 3
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
SYSTEM CONTAMINANTS, IMPROPER SERVICE PROCEDURE AND/OR PHYSICAL ABUSE AFFECTING HERMETIC
COMPRESSOR ELECTRICAL TERMINALS MAY CAUSE DANGEROUS SYSTEM VENTING.
System contaminants, improper Service Procedure and/or physical abuse affecting hermetic compressor electrical terminals
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 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 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 terminal
protective cover properly in place.
See Service Section S-17 for proper servicing.
WARNING