Supermarket Refrigeration Troubleshooting

1. Supermarket Refrigeration Troubleshooting HVAC Excellence Conference April 1, 2014 Rolf Blom Sporlan Division of Parker Hannifin

2. Teaching Supermarket Refrigeration • Demand for “supermarket” technicians • Schools not including commercial refrigeration in their program…Why? • Knowledge • Costs • Space

3. Teaching Supermarket Refrigeration • Where do you get the knowledge? • Is it possible to teach without the equipment?

4. Teaching Supermarket Refrigeration • Yes it is possible to incorporate into your program! • Can be done on a minimal budget • Can be done with minimal space

5. First Step - Educate Yourself • Get familiar with the systems • Don’t let them intimidate you!

6. Educate Yourself • Break the system down into sections - subsystems • Learn the operation of the subsystems • Bring subsystems together

7. Educate Yourself • Get familiar with systems • Partner with local supermarket • Partner with local contractors • Partner with manufacturers • System manufacturers • Component manufacturers

8. Educate Yourself • Attend seminars • System manufacturers training • Sporlan Supermarket Seminar • Sporlan instructors training

9. Develop Glossary of Terms & Acronyms • Very important! • Many different terms for same meaning • Example: A8 is a valve model number for a Refrigeration Specialties pressure regulating valve. The term “A8 valve” is used in reference to a head pressure control valve which is also referred to as “Hold Back Valve”, “Flooding Valve”, “Stacking Valve”

10. Utilize Diagrams

11. Utilize Diagrams • “Map” of the system

12. Utilize Diagrams • Rack diagram • Condenser diagram • Circuit diagram • Piping diagrams

13. Interpret Diagrams • Understand flow & operation • Generate your own diagram

15. Utilize Refrigeration Schedules

16. Refrigeration Schedules • Known as the “RS” • The “directions” to the “map” • Lists all the information for the refrigeration system • Engineers use it to design/build systems • Key item for teaching supermarket systems!

17. System Components • Break subsystems down to individual components • Teach operation & function

18. Component Operation • Purpose in system • Location • How they operate • Component operation • Cut-away view • Disassemble

19. Components • Ask wholesalers & manufacturers for samples or warranty return parts • Have students disassemble components • Hands on learning

20. Components • Component Identification Exercise • Partner with supermarket • Number tags attached to components on a system • Students match tag number to component description

21. “Show & Tell” Demo Rack • Build a mock display refrigeration rack • Stand alone for “show & tell” • Use old “retired” racks • Valuable when teaching subsystems • No electrical or refrigeration lines connected • Make it mobile

22. Teach Subsystems • Oil management • Defrost system • High side system • Compressor system • Cases • Low side system • Electrical • EMS

23. Teach Control Systems • Energy Management System – EMS • The control system for supermarkets • Controls refrigeration, HVAC, & lighting • Utilize EMS demos • Students learn to navigate system, change settings, programming

24. Refrigeration EMS

25. HVAC EMS

26. Trouble Shooting Supermarket Systems • You don’t have an operating system? • How do you teach trouble shooting skills?

27. Utilize Simulators • Allows student interaction • Students use skill sets applied to real systems • Mechanical • Electrical • Controls • Instructors able to tract students actions, procedures, thought process

28. Mechanical System

29. Mechanical System

30. Electrical System

31. Electrical System

32. Conclusion - Yes It Can Be Done!!! • Include supermarket systems in your program • Be creative • Ask for help • Keep learning!!!

33. Questions???

34. Thank You!!!