A true preventive maintenance program would also include operating inspections. All of the services mentioned above are performed with the chiller not running, and in my opinion, are the bare minimum for annual service. Operating inspections reveal the chiller's "heartbeat." This is where you find the subtle changes in a chiller's performance. These changes may not be noticeable to the ordinary eye, but to a trained service technician, the problem can be corrected before it becomes a failure.During an operating inspection, all temperatures, pressures, refrigerant and oil levels, voltages, and amperages are recorded. These readings are then compared to previous readings. The service technician should look at the daily logs filled out by the operating staff. An experienced technician will note what needs to be done to get the chiller operating to top specifications.It's one thing to take readings, but if the readings aren't interpolated properly, you lose the opportunity to make corrective actions immediately. Dirty condenser tubes or water strainers usually don't cause a real problem until the chiller goes into a surge condition. It can get pretty exciting if you've never heard a chiller in a surge condition. This happens when the compressor's impellor can't over come the lift required to push refrigerant into the condenser, and the refrigerant actually goes backwards through the impellor. The sound is not unlike an elephant blowing his horn in rapid succession. If left unattended, there could be bearing failure, due to the loading and unloading of the compressor.Surging is the extreme result of fouled condenser tubes or strainers. Operating inspections will detect this condition long before it becomes your problem.With any good preventive maintenance program, if you d n't document what has been done, you might as well consider it not performed. At Owens Companies, as professional Engineer I use to give my bosses and project drawing and technical office - the "Owens Blue Book," which lists all of the tasks required for each inspection. This is also where all copies of logs and work tickets are placed for future reference.
It's a quick, easy-to-use, invaluable tool for your bosses and Chiller technicians. So think about this: what would it would cost if your customers/project' chiller failed for one day? How about one week of down time?What would happen if you heard the dreaded phrase, "The parts are three weeks out" ?
It's a quick, easy-to-use, invaluable tool for your bosses and Chiller technicians. So think about this: what would it would cost if your customers/project' chiller failed for one day? How about one week of down time?What would happen if you heard the dreaded phrase, "The parts are three weeks out" ?