GENERAL AIRSTAGE TECHNICAL GUIDE Refrigerant Leakage Sensor Installation cautions, false detection risks and troubleshooting flow charts | | Applies to: AG*G09/12/14KVC* R32 floor-type indoor units fitted with a refrigerant leakage sensor. |
| Critical safety messages | Do not isolate power unnecessarily.
The leakage sensor cannot detect refrigerant when the breaker is switched off. Only isolate the unit for repair, inspection or cleaning. |
| Keep combustible sprays and solvents away.
Hair spray, deodorant, insecticide and similar vapours may cause false detection, sensor damage, fire or electric shock. |
|
| Flow chart 1 — Sensor alarm or suspected detection | | Alarm, warning or suspected sensor activation | | ↓ | | Is there any smell, visible leak, frost, oil staining or recent refrigerant work? | YES
Ventilate the area, stop ignition sources, do not reset repeatedly and arrange qualified refrigerant leak testing. | | NO
Check for products, gases or recent building work that may have triggered the semiconductor sensor. |
| | ↓ | | Remove the suspected vapour source and ventilate thoroughly. | | ↓ | | Does the warning return after the area is clean and ventilated? | YES
Treat as a genuine leak or sensor fault. Escalate for service inspection and sensor diagnosis. | | NO
Likely environmental or chemical false detection. Record the source and advise the customer to avoid recurrence. |
|
| Flow chart 2 — Before installation or commissioning | | Before fitting or commissioning the indoor unit | | ↓ | | Has urethane foam, expanding foam, silicone adhesive, solvent, paint or spray recently been used nearby? | YES
Do not install or energise immediately. Allow the material to fully cure, dry and ventilate the area thoroughly. | | NO
Continue with installation while preventing refrigerant discharge near the sensor. |
| | ↓ | | Pressure test, evacuate and charge without releasing refrigerant into the room. | | ↓ | | Keep the breaker ON after commissioning so the sensor remains operational. |
| Substances that may trigger or damage the sensor | | Category | Examples | Risk | | Other refrigerants | R22, R410A, R407C, R134a | False detection or sensor deterioration | | Organic solvents | Ethanol, methanol, formalin | False detection | | Corrosive gases | Hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen chloride | Sensor damage or shortened life | | Food and environmental gases | Fish odour, putrefactive odour, ammonia, oil mist, cigarette smoke | False detection | | Sprays | Deodorant, hair spray, insecticide | False detection, fire or electric-shock risk | | Building products | Urethane foam containing propane, dimethyl ether or R134a; silicone adhesive | High probability of sensor damage |
| Flow chart 3 — Suspected sensor damage after exposure | | Was the sensor exposed to high gas concentration, repeated alarms or long-term vapour exposure? | | ↓ | YES
Sensor failure is possible. Remove the source, ventilate, record the exposure and arrange inspection or replacement as required. | | NO / UNKNOWN
Check installation conditions, nearby chemicals, wiring, error history and actual refrigerant leakage. |
| | ↓ | | Do not repeatedly expose the sensor to test gas or intentionally release refrigerant to prove operation. |
| Why the sensor reacts to gases other than R32 | | The unit uses a semiconductor gas sensor. Gas around the sensor changes the oxidation-reduction reaction at the sensing surface and alters its electrical resistance. Because many reducing gases can produce a similar resistance change, the sensor may react even when the gas is not R32. |
| Freshdesk ticket information to capture | - Full indoor and outdoor model numbers and serial numbers.
- Exact warning, alarm or error displayed and when it occurred.
- Whether refrigerant work, pressure testing or commissioning occurred recently.
- Any nearby spray, solvent, silicone, expanding foam, paint, smoke, odour or building work.
- Whether the breaker has been switched off and for how long.
- Photos of the unit, installation area and any foam or adhesive used near pipe penetrations.
- Results of a proper refrigerant leak test by a licensed technician.
|
| | Escalate immediately where there is a confirmed refrigerant leak, repeated unexplained sensor activation, suspected sensor damage, burning smell, smoke, electrical damage or a customer safety concern. |
| | GENERAL AIRSTAGE | Refrigerant Leakage Sensor Technical Guide |
|
