Electrical Hazards

    Notice
  • Equipment Damage
  • Do not connect other manufacturers’ equipment or accessories to the unit or to the Thermo King batteries unless approved by Thermo King. Failure to do so can result in severe damage to equipment and void the warranty.

    Danger
  • Hazardous Voltage
  • Units equipped with Electric Standby option operate on 115 or 230 volts ac. This voltage is potential dangerous, causing serious injury or death.
    Warning
  • Live Electrical Components
  • Control circuits are low voltage (24 Vac and 12 Vdc). This voltage potential is not considered dangerous. Large amount of current available (over 30 amperes) can cause severe burns if shorted to ground. Do not wear jewelry, watch or rings. These items can shortcut electrical circuits and cause severe burns to the wearer.

Parent topic: Safety Precautions

High Voltage

    Danger
  • Hazardous Voltage
  • When servicing or repairing a temperature control unit, the possibility of serious or even fatal injury from electrical shock exists. Extreme care must be used when working with a refrigeration unit that is connected to a source of operating power, even if the unit is not operating. Lethal voltage potentials can exist at the unit power cord, inside the control box, at the motors and within the wiring harnesses.
    Warning
  • Hazardous Voltage
  • The unit On/Off switch must be turned Off before connecting or disconnecting the standby power plug. Never attempt to stop the unit by disconnecting the power plug.
    Warning
  • Risk of Injury
  • The unit power plug must be clean and dry before connecting it to a power source.
    Warning
  • Risk of Injury
  • Do not make rapid moves when working on high voltage circuits in the refrigeration unit. Do not grab for falling tools because you might accidentally touch a high voltage source.
    Warning
  • Hazardous Voltage
  • Treat all wires and connections as if they were high voltage until a meter and wiring diagram indicate otherwise. Only use tools with insulated handles. Never hold uninsulated metal tools near exposed, energized conductors. If there is a risk of energized electrical contact, arc, or flash, technicians MUST put on all PPE in accordance with OSHA, NFPA 70E, or other local, state, or country-specific requirements for arc flash protection PRIOR to servicing the unit. NEVER PERFORM ANY SWITCHING, DISCONNECTING, OR VOLTAGE TESTING WITHOUT PROPER ELECTRICAL PPE AND ARC FLASHING CLOTHING. ELECTRICAL METERS AND EQUIPMENT MUST BE PROPERLY RATED FOR INTENDED VOLTAGE.
    Warning
  • Hazardous Voltage
  • Never work alone on high voltage circuits in the refrigeration unit. Another person should be nearby to shut off the unit and provide aid in the event of an accident. If there is a risk of energized electrical contact, arc, or flash, technicians MUST put on all PPE in accordance with OSHA, NFPA 70E, or other local, state, or country-specific requirements for arc flash protection PRIOR to servicing the unit. NEVER PERFORM ANY SWITCHING, DISCONNECTING, OR VOLTAGE TESTING WITHOUT PROPER ELECTRICAL PPE AND ARC FLASHING CLOTHING. ELECTRICAL METERS AND EQUIPMENT MUST BE PROPERLY RATED FOR INTENDED VOLTAGE.
    Warning
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Required
  • In the event of an electrical accident, all required PPE should be near the work area in accordance with OSHA, NFPE 70E, or other local, state, or country-specific requirements for a Category 3 risk.
    Warning
  • Hazardous Voltage w/Capacitors
  • Be careful when working with electrical circuits that contain capacitors. Some capacitors hold a significant electrical charge that might cause burns or shocks if accidentally discharged. Capacitors must be discharged before working on electrical circuits. If there is a risk of energized electrical contact, arc, or flash, technicians MUST put on all PPE in accordance with OSHA, NFPA 70E, or other local, state, or country-specific requirements for arc flash protection PRIOR to servicing the unit. NEVER PERFORM ANY SWITCHING, DISCONNECTING, OR VOLTAGE TESTING WITHOUT PROPER ELECTRICAL PPE AND ARC FLASHING CLOTHING. ELECTRICAL METERS AND EQUIPMENT MUST BE PROPERLY RATED FOR INTENDED VOLTAGE.

Low Voltage

    Warning
  • Live Electrical Components
  • Control circuits used in refrigeration units are low voltage (12 to 48 Vdc). However, the large amount of amperage available can cause severe burns if accidentally shorted to ground with metal objects, such as tools. Do not wear jewelry, watches, or rings because they increase the risk of shorting out electrical circuits and damaging equipment or causing severe burns. If there is a risk of energized electrical contact, arc, or flash, technicians MUST put on all PPE in accordance with OSHA, NFPA 70E, or other local, state, or country-specific requirements for arc flash protection PRIOR to servicing the unit. NEVER PERFORM ANY SWITCHING, DISCONNECTING, OR VOLTAGE TESTING WITHOUT PROPER ELECTRICAL PPE AND ARC FLASHING CLOTHING. ELECTRICAL METERS AND EQUIPMENT MUST BE PROPERLY RATED FOR INTENDED VOLTAGE.