Larger charge sizes of R290 in air conditioners and commercial refrigeration cabinets may soon be included in relevant international standards. The Green Cooling Initiative supports the process of revising relevant standards under the working groups 4 and 6 of the IEC.
The following standards are currently under revision with particular focus on flammable refrigerants and charge size limits:
- EN 60335-2-40: 2003+A2, 2009. Specification for safety of household and similar electrical appliances. Safety. Particular requirements for electrical heat pumps, air-conditioners, and dehumidifiers.
- IEC 60335-2-89:2010+A1: 2012+A2: 2015 Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2-89: Particular requirements for commercial refrigerating appliances with an incorporated or remote refrigerant unit or compressor
- ISO 5149-1:2014+A1:2015 Refrigerating systems and heat pumps — Safety and environmental requirements
Revisions and amendments to these standards rely on intensive testing on simulated leaks for air conditioners and commercial cabinets which help monitor the behaviour and development of concentrations of R290. Charge sizes of up to 1 kg of R290 may be feasible under the revised IEC 60335-3-89.