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In light of the Samsung debacle on this subject, Sean came up with something really interesting in conversation earlier today…
Okay, so Samsung have been caught but, how many have thus far escaped?
He also pointed out that several people, he and I included, said many moons ago that using a flammable gas, under pressure, in conditions you cannot control and with electricity in the same unit was probably not going to end well. Sometimes it’s nice to say “I told you so” but somehow, this just doesn’t feel like one of them that the expression is appropriate for.
What I do know is that some other brands have had similar problems on units using R600a.
What I don’t know is how common the problem is. Or, to be more direct, how much of a risk this could present.
And yes, I know I’ve defended the R600 units in the past to some extent but, that doesn’t negate my general dislike of the gas as a refrigerant. It’s just a pain, probably even more so than R134 and certainly both are when held up against R12, IMO. But, the supposed hole in the ozone put paid to R12. Now we just blow up the house instead. Somehow the compromise just doesn’t seem to be quite balanced.
But, I digress…
Have any of you spotted a real danger and, if so, what and why?
Has anyone seen first hand the effect?
If there’s photos of any that have failed I’d be happy to have them, anonymity guaranteed.
If you don’t want to post in the forums please email me the stories as I’m desperately curious about this phenomena.
Ta
K.
Re: Exploding Fridges
not being samsung and never having sold samsung refrigeration, its a bit hazy to me but i was under the impression that it was due to a faulty batch of defrost heaters popping holes in the gas channels. i hear what you say, and see your point that as an idea its well away from a sensible match but that doesnt detract from the fact that the currently affected models are by far and away in the minority of the number of machines out there.
surely, assuming each component is of reasonable condition, this should never be a real problem?
maybe the manufacturers need to revise the electronics to the point where if any electrical component can fail that can cause damage to teh gas channels, then it knocks out a part of electronics – much like the electrical spike thread suggested – i know it wont be popular with customers, but if it stops people replacing plug fuses or/and trip switchs then it must be safer?
Re: Exploding Fridges
The whole use of R600a needs to be looked at, quite a few leak but so far no ignition to wreak havoc of the many that fail due to poor pipe work joints or corrosion with age causing an internal leak, the ones that get away as it were. I write off a lot of units that leak internally where the leak cannot be located, we already have to do this with R134 because of the regs.
The worry is there are no regs in place for an potentially explosive refrigerant like R600a, this is madness. It is only a matter of time before someone gets killed by a leak that meets an ignition source, the Samsung problem is only the tip of the iceberg in the longer term I fear many problem to come, and where will it leave us in the trade. It is only a matter of time before a cowboy tradesman fills a system with far too much gas after a leak that is not sealed and get hurt or killed as a result, maybe after the event someone in a position of power will do something.Re: Exploding Fridges
I am working on a suitably irreverent article about your friendly neighbourhood bomb disguised as a fridge.
Let’s just say that Samsung aren’t the only ones with something they’d much rather sweep under the carpet. 😉
My profound thanks to all that have supplied the info to make it possible.
K.
Re: Exploding Fridges
On this subject has anyone heard anything about LEC?
Apparently, I have been told, they are just swapping out some units, no questions asked due to a “risk”. I can only assume it’s another one that can go boom.
Volumes unknown but it is supposed to be two or three models and there is a “substantial” number involved.
K.
Re: Exploding Fridges
r600 is a joke an since they started using it refrgeration units hardly last. i cant beleve they use fire hazord gases in them its mad 134a was fine 😆
Re: Exploding Fridges
IMO, R134a was a joke. 😉
Knee-jerk reaction to a hole in the ozone layer which, it turns out, appears not to be there. But that’s an aside.
R600a is a total disaster in many ways IMO from a service point of view. I don’t like it, never have liked it and probably never will like it unless someone comes up with something still worse.
But because it blows up it’s the perfect excuse to legislate on the grounds of H&S and control refrigeration repairs. I’m sure someone is working on a plan to do just that and, I’m not alone in that fear.
K.
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