A few days back one more fire was reported: This time from a bank in Tambaram, Chennai. Though it was not reported to be a fire from AC, we got communication/confirmation to that effect.
Why it happened? Can it be avoided?
Though there could be many reasons for the fire in an equipemnt, one reason that I can point out is; The termination of incoming electrical power supply to the indoor units of the split AC, rather than at the outdoor. When it is done this way, there is always a possibility of fire at the terminals whever the compressor starts or stops drwaing high current. The easieat way to eliminate atleast this one possibility is to insist on termination power at the outdoor.
Unfortunately many manufactureres do not have provosion for this: And the simple and SILLY reason? Cost control! By saving a few meters of wiring by whoever is doing that: In most cases the clinet will have to get it done, and to make him happy, manufacturers resort to this dangerous practice.
Can we expect some responsible behaviour from them?
Saturday, December 05, 2009
Friday, June 05, 2009
Unfortunate fire in a running AC indoor unit
Many of you might be aware of a fire accident in Chennai a few days back, where a few months old baby died, while sleeping in the bed! My condolences to the family for the irreplacable loss of a precious life.
In most of the AC units that are available in the market, it is the usual practice to terminate the incoming power in the indoor unit, that is very convenient for the installing contractor. And for the brand it results in an overall cost reduction, offfering an edge in price!
However it is the compressor that draws the maximum current in an AC unit. And it is located in the outdoor unit. This power is routed through either a contactor or a relay. Due to frequent starting and stopping of the compressor in an unit by the thermostat, there are possibilities of the contact getting damaged and sparks appearing. This remais a potential fire hazard always. Why is this contact located in the indoor unit then?
If the contcat is shifted to the outdoor unit this problem is atleast shifted to the outdoor unit and is away from the bed! Will the manufacturers and the government atleast wake up now?
In most of the AC units that are available in the market, it is the usual practice to terminate the incoming power in the indoor unit, that is very convenient for the installing contractor. And for the brand it results in an overall cost reduction, offfering an edge in price!
However it is the compressor that draws the maximum current in an AC unit. And it is located in the outdoor unit. This power is routed through either a contactor or a relay. Due to frequent starting and stopping of the compressor in an unit by the thermostat, there are possibilities of the contact getting damaged and sparks appearing. This remais a potential fire hazard always. Why is this contact located in the indoor unit then?
If the contcat is shifted to the outdoor unit this problem is atleast shifted to the outdoor unit and is away from the bed! Will the manufacturers and the government atleast wake up now?
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