RIDGID SuperFreeze SF-2500 Manual Del Operario página 8

SuperFreeze™ Pipe Freezing Unit
• If the system will be soldered, brazed, welded, or
other heat adding processes, the freeze plug(s)
must be located as far away from the repair as
possible. Excess heat can prematurely thaw the ice
plug and allow water to flow while the system is
open. The freeze plugs should be a minimum of
one foot away from the heat for each inch of di-
ameter for steel pipe or tube. For all other materials,
the plug should be at least three feet away for
each inch of pipe or tube diameter.
• Ice plugs must be more than one foot away from
end caps, elbows and closed valves. Placing an ice
plug closer than one foot can cause splitting of
the pipe or tube.
• Do not place ice plugs closer than 5 feet from a cir-
culating hot water (water hotter than ambient air but
cooler than 125°F) main for pipe sizes 1" and
smaller or closer than 8 feet from a circulating hot
water main 1 1 / " or larger. Plugs placed closer to a
4
circulating hot water main can prevent plug for-
mation or can cause plug thawing.
4. Prepare the freeze plug locations. Remove all insu-
lation and coatings from the pipe down to bare metal.
If needed, remove any corrosion with a wire brush.
Coatings and corrosion insulate the pipe and can
slow or prevent the freezing process.
5. Place unit so freeze heads can reach desired plug
points. Locate SuperFreeze on a solid, level surface,
in an upright position. If the unit is not upright and level,
it can cause damage to the compressor. Make sure
the air inlet/outlet to condenser are not blocked.
Blocked condenser openings will slow or prevent the
freezing process. Be sure to locate the Pipe Freeze
Unit away from where the repair will occur and not
under the freeze heads. This will help prevent the
entry of water into the freeze unit and help prevent
electrical shock.
6. Uncoil the hoses to the freeze heads. Use care not to
twist or kink the hoses, this can damage the hose and
prevent proper operation.
7. Choose the appropriate freeze head cavity for the size
of pipe or tube to be froze. The capacities for copper
tube and steel pipe are listed in the chart that follows.
Adapter bushings are required in some applications.
6
Copper Tube
"
1 /
2
"
3 /
4
1"
"
1 1 /
4
"
1 /
1
2
—
2"
"
2 1 /
2
8. Apply freeze gel to the freeze head cavity. If using
adapter bushings, apply freeze gel between the
freeze head and the adapter and to the adapter sur-
face that contacts the pipe. The freeze gel improves
the thermal conductivity between the freeze head
and the pipe and decreases the time required to
freeze a plug. If freeze gel is not available, proceed to
the next step.
9. Attach the freeze heads to the pipe.
• Single freeze plug applications – In single freeze
plug applications, both freeze heads should be ap-
plied directly opposite each other to form the plug.
This will decrease the time required to freeze the
plug. If there is enough room, use the Quick Grip
clamp to secure the freeze heads to the pipe. By
using the clamp and applying pressure to the
freeze heads on the pipe, freezing time can be re-
duced. See Figure 3. If the Quick Grip Clamp
cannot be used, tightly strap the freeze heads
on the pipe with the Velcro strap. See Figure 4. If
using the Quick Grip clamp do not over tighten the
clamp and deform the pipe.
Figure 3 – Attaching Freeze Heads Using Quick Grip
Clamp
Ridge Tool Company
1
2 4
3
Steel Pipe Cavity
— 4
"
1 / 2
2
"
3 / 2
4
1" 3
— 3
"
1 1 / 1
4
"
1 1 / 1
2
2" 1
Adapter
—
3 / CTS
4
—
1 1 / CTS
4
—
2 CTS
2 CTS
—