Working With R-410A Refrigerant

R-410A is a refrigerant that is a blend of two pure refrigerants: 50 percent difluoromethane and 50 percent pentafluoroethane. It is used as a replacement for an older ozone-depleting refrigerant called R-22 in new air-conditioning system designs but is used at higher pressures than R-22. Brand names include Honeywell's Genetron AZ-20, Carrier Puron or DuPont Suva. Safety certification is available for technicians who work with this refrigerant, but this certification is not compulsory.

Things You'll Need

• Safety certification
• R-410A rated equipment
• Personal protective equipment
• Material Safety Data Sheet

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Instructions

• 1

  Undertake the voluntary safety certification to learn important skills of dealing with the refrigerant if a course is accessible to you. These courses are available from providers such as Mainstream Engineering that provide free certification and other companies that may charge. For technicians who have previously dealt with R-22, the safety course will teach the skills needed to handle the higher-pressure conditions of R-410A. Certification will help you become an expert R-410A technician, which could help you attract work.

• 2

  Study the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) of R-410A before working with the refrigerant. The MSDS details the health hazards of R-410A, general safe handling procedures and the correct first-aid procedures. Keep the MSDS in an accessible place close to where the refrigerant is stored and worked with.

• 3

  Put on all personal protective equipment as documented in the MSDS and product instructions. Safety goggles, work clothing and gloves are a minimum recommendation.

• 4

  Make sure there are eyewash stations and safety drench showers in easy reach in case of an accident before working with the refrigerant.

• 5

  Store the refrigerant correctly when it is not being used, as detailed in product instructions and MSDS. For example, Honeywell's Genetron AZ-20 brand of R-410A should be stored in a well-ventilated, cool area of low fire risk and out of direct sunlight.

• 6

  Ensure the equipment you are working with is designed specifically for R-410A. Retrofitting R-22 equipment with this newer refrigerant is not possible due to the higher discharge pressure and cooling capacity.

• 7

  Use compressors designed specifically for R-410A, as they can handle the higher pressures involved. In addition, only R-410A-approved metering devices should be used with R-410A. These generally have about 15 percent smaller capacity than R-22 metering devices.

• 8

  Ensure the refrigerant lines are appropriate for R-410A use. Best practice, according to Mainstream Engineering, is to replace the lines entirely to ensure weak points are not present that could burst from R-410A pressure.

• 9

  Study all other materials and equipment to be used, including oils and filters, to ensure they are rated for R-410A use.