HVAC Safety

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This installation was on a 4-story home, and the tech had not yet gone to the basement to troubleshoot the “infinity” water source heat pump, as he was told he by the homeowner. He was in the attic at the infinity furnace above the 4th floor. He was getting his dcv in the proper range on his A and B green plug on the air handler, 3 to 4 vdc. His indoor board ohm reading was in range, 28k to 32 k. The tech ohmed out the A and B thermostat wires on the water source heat pump from the upstairs. His ohm reading was not in range of a normal infinity board. His reading was around 64.4k. The tech then made the long walk to the basement where the “geothermal heat pump” was located. Bingo.

Safety is something we should think about and practice in almost everything we do. We get comfortable in our everyday lives and don’t think of the dangers in doing the work that we are accustomed to doing or paid to do. For example, just picking up a box off the floor to put it on a counter could injure your back. Let’s look at and review some of the safety equipment and procedures used by HVAC technicians. Before we get started, I’d like to remind you that only trained and qualified persons should service or install HVAC equipment. On the job safety is your responsibility to keep you and others around you safe. Also, the information given here is general in nature and not to be used as a substitution for the manufacturer’s instructions.

When working on HVAC equipment with the electricity turned on, we should remember to remove rings, watches, bracelets, etc. that are metal that could come in contact with electrical components that could cause electrical shocks and burns. An HVAC technician will work with equipment that will have AC voltage that ranges from 24v to 575v. With the new inverter equipment, there is DC voltage ranging from 5v to over 300v. So, remember to always observe the safety tags and labels on the equipment and the instructions. When working on the equipment, LOCK OUT / TAGOUT the disconnect or electrical panel to make persons aware that the equipment is being worked on. Never take for granted that the equipment does not have electricity; always use a meter to verify it.