FEATURE
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
solution towards low carbon footprint
cooling systems.
Considering what has been said,
the difficulty in trying to establish who
serves on the South African committee,
asked to vote on the International
Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC’s)
proposal to increase the HC charge limit
to 500g, seems incomprehensible. After
many attempts prior to 12 April 2019, the
closing date of votes on the IEC proposal
to increase the HC limit, no contact
details of any committee member could
be found to discuss the pros or cons of
the vote on the IEC proposal.
A higher charge
will most likely result
in more stringent
compliance with safety
standards similar to all
other refrigerants.
The IEC is a worldwide organisation for
standardisation comprising all national
electrotechnical committees (IEC
National Committees). The object of
IEC is to promote international co-
operation on all questions concerning
standardisation in the electrical and
electronic fields. To this end, and
in addition to other activities, IEC
publishes international standards,
technical specifications, technical
reports, Publicly Available Specifications
(PAS) and Guides. The preparation
of such guides and standards is
entrusted to technical committees;
2
any IEC National Committee
interested in the subject dealt with
may participate in this preparatory
work. International, governmental
and non-governmental organisations
liaising with IEC also participate in this
preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organisation for
Standardisation (ISO) in accordance
with conditions determined by
agreement between the two
organisations.
The formal decisions or agreements
of IEC on technical matters express,
as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant
subjects since each technical
committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
As far as can be established, the
voting rights of South Africa and its
participation in the IEC on the standard
3
relating to the safety of household and
similar appliances, and in particular
the requirements for commercial
refrigerating appliances and ice
makers with an incorporated or remote
refrigerant unit or motor compressor, rests
with the SC061 committee of the South
African Bureau of Standards (SABS).
There are perceived safety risks and
potential dangers surrounding the use
of hydrocarbon refrigerants in domestic
and commercial air-conditioning
and refrigeration applications. These
misconceptions can be minimised by
the enforcement of standards, which
are drafted by persons who are familiar
with the conditions at ground level and
have the required technical expertise.
If role players in the refrigeration and
air-conditioning industry are unable
to discuss their concerns or require
information regarding the use of HCs,
COLD LINK AFRICA • July/August 2019
1. Many bottle coolers in retail outlets are
charged with R290.
2. The availability of compressors and
components for R290 (propane) is an
influencing factor on the choice of
refrigerant for new systems.
3. Domestic refrigerators are mostly
charged with HC R600a (isobutane).
because of not being able to contact
the drafting committee, there could be
grave consequences on the safe use
of HCs in South Africa and a reluctance
to gain from maximum charge being
increased to 500g per circuit (which has
since been approved).
In closing, as far as can be
established, South Africa abstained from
voting on the increase in charge from
150g to 500g. As to the reason for not
voting, who knows? CLA
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
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