Picture of Austin Caldwell

Austin Caldwell

Technical Services Manager North Georgia District

Freeze Protection mode

With outdoor air temps dropping below freezing around Georgia and the southeast, there is a chance you have walked by a 30 series chiller that was indicating (ALARMS) saying the phrase Freeze Protection Alarm has been activated.

Freeze Protection Alarm description, pulled directly form the manual:

“Coolers can be ordered with heaters installed in the factory. If equipped, the main base board based on the outdoor-air temperature and the entering and leaving water thermistors controls the cooler heaters. The Heater Set Point is the sum of the freeze point and Cooler Heater DT Setup (Configuration>SERV>HTR). If the entering or leaving water temperature is less than the Heater Set Point and the outdoor-air temperature is less than the Heater Set Point – 2°F (1.1°C), then the heater will be turned on. If the Entering or Leaving Water Temperature is less than the Brine Freeze Setpoint (Configuration>SERV>LOSP) + 1.0°F (0.5°C), then the heater will be turned on along with the pump.

If the cooler PUMP/PUMPS are not hard wired to the chiller control panel, this most important feature of the Carrier freeze protection routine is disabled.

In addition to the cooler PUMP freeze protection routine, the entire cooler is covered with closed-cell insulation applied over the heater.

Heater, plus pump control, plus insulation protect cooler against low ambient temperature freeze-up to –20°F (–28°C).

The Chiller control system will try to protect the barrel from freezing in very low ambient conditions. This is not the best way to combat Freeze issues if your machine is running fresh water.
The best 2 methods are either draining the chiller of all water when it’s not in use or adding an antifreeze to the chilled water loop, suitable to Protech against your outside air temps.

Disclaimer: The technical statements, information and recommendations contained herein are believed to be accurate as of the date hereof, but Mingledorff’s does not make representations or warranties, express or implied, as to its accuracy, its completeness, or the results to be obtained. The information is being provided for informational purposes only and is intended for use by persons having adequate skill and expertise regarding the proper selection, use and application of the products and recommendations and at their own risk and discretion. 

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