Freezer Alarm &Backup Freezer Alarm &Backup SystemsSystems

Preventing Sample LossesPreventing Sample Losses

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Joe DeFrancesco, Gina Koskela, Peter

Sturman

Oregon State UniversityOregon State UniversityNorth Willamette Research and North Willamette Research and

Extension CenterExtension CenterAurora, OregonAurora, Oregon

Different modes of freezer and alarm Different modes of freezer and alarm failurefailure Freezer malfunction experiences at NWRECFreezer malfunction experiences at NWREC

Description of backup natural gas Description of backup natural gas generatorgenerator

Description of alarm system and phone Description of alarm system and phone dialerdialer

Helpful hints to prevent loss of frozen Helpful hints to prevent loss of frozen samplessamples

Freezer Alarm &Backup Freezer Alarm &Backup SystemsSystems

Modes of Freezer and Alarm Modes of Freezer and Alarm FailureFailure

Interruption of electrical power to facilityInterruption of electrical power to facility Area-wide power outage; local power outage (power pole on Area-wide power outage; local power outage (power pole on

road)road) Freezers, Alarm and Dialer system, need to have separate Freezers, Alarm and Dialer system, need to have separate

power sourcepower source Failure of individual freezersFailure of individual freezers

Compressor failure (fan cover impediment; old age)Compressor failure (fan cover impediment; old age) Freezer plug accidently pulledFreezer plug accidently pulled

Alarm failure due to circuit breaker failure Alarm failure due to circuit breaker failure High ambient temperature → overload of circuit breaker to High ambient temperature → overload of circuit breaker to

freezersfreezers Have battery back-up on alarms and dialer just incase back-Have battery back-up on alarms and dialer just incase back-

up generator fails after a main power outageup generator fails after a main power outage Alarm batteries = 6 hr usage; 24 hr stand-byAlarm batteries = 6 hr usage; 24 hr stand-by UPS (dialer) battery = 2 hr usage; 24-30 hr stand-byUPS (dialer) battery = 2 hr usage; 24-30 hr stand-by

100 amp Normal service panel

TRTFreezer

UTCFreezer

Alarm Alarm

Prior to Alarm and Backup Prior to Alarm and Backup SystemSystem

100 amp Normal service panel

100 amp Automatic transfer switch

7 kw Natural Gas Generator

TRTFreezer

UTCFreezer

Alarm(w/ battery backup)

Alarmw/ battery backup

UPS(battery backup

for dialer)

Freezer Alarm and Backup Freezer Alarm and Backup SystemSystem

Dialer

Interruption of Electrical Power to Interruption of Electrical Power to FacilityFacility

Interruption of electrical power is sensed by a Interruption of electrical power is sensed by a Guardian 100 amp Automatic Transfer Switch Guardian 100 amp Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)(ATS)

ATS simultaneously disconnects normal power ATS simultaneously disconnects normal power supply to freezers and alarms supply to freezers and alarms

Once ATS disconnects electrical power, it Once ATS disconnects electrical power, it activates a 7 kw natural gas generator and activates a 7 kw natural gas generator and connects power to the freezers and alarmsconnects power to the freezers and alarms

Generator is programmed to turn on once a week Generator is programmed to turn on once a week to test systemto test system

100 amp Normal service panel

100 amp Automatic transfer switch

7 kw Natural Gas Generator

TRTFreezer

UTCFreezer

Alarm(w/ battery backup)

Alarmw/ battery backup

UPS(battery backup

for dialer)

Freezer Alarm and Backup Freezer Alarm and Backup SystemSystem

Dialer

ATS

Main Power Source

Power from Generator

Power to Alarms and Horn

UPS Battery

Phone Dialer

Power to Freezers (2 separate circuits)

Phone Line

Power to Phone Dialer

Main Power

Alarms, Horn, and Dialer

TRT Freezer

UTC Freezer

Important: Separate circuits1. UTC Freezer2. TRT Freezer3. Alarms, Horn, Dialer

Individual Freezer Individual Freezer FailureFailure

Each freezer is equipped with temperature Each freezer is equipped with temperature sensing alarmsensing alarm

When alarm set point When alarm set point (25°F)(25°F) is exceeded for is exceeded for one hour, alarm system is activatedone hour, alarm system is activated Audible alarm (horn at freezer site)Audible alarm (horn at freezer site)

Contact information posted on freezer doorsContact information posted on freezer doors Automatic phone dialer calls each of the pre-Automatic phone dialer calls each of the pre-

programmed numbers on the emergency contact programmed numbers on the emergency contact list with a recorded messagelist with a recorded message

Programmed to delay for answering, then to repeat Programmed to delay for answering, then to repeat message 3x each number, then 3 repsmessage 3x each number, then 3 reps

System tested at beginning of season when System tested at beginning of season when freezers are empty (about every other month)freezers are empty (about every other month)

Install individual circuit breakers to alarms; Install individual circuit breakers to alarms; include battery backupinclude battery backup

Freezer Alarm SchematicFreezer Alarm Schematic

Automatic transfer switch

UPS

Auto phone dialer

Freezer alarm Freezer alarm

Alarm horn

Temperature sensor for freezer to sound alarm

Dial on each freezer indicates status of operation (connected to temp gauge in freezer); high temp may be due to defrost ~ Working (refrigeration) ~ Defrost

Helpful Hints to Prevent Helpful Hints to Prevent Sample LossSample Loss

Secure the freezer area Secure the freezer area Locks on freezer doorsLocks on freezer doors Indoors, with cool ambient air, is best to Indoors, with cool ambient air, is best to

prevent failureprevent failure Frozen jugs of water to keep freezers coolFrozen jugs of water to keep freezers cool Backup temp recorders in freezers to Backup temp recorders in freezers to

verify sample integrityverify sample integrity Install alarm and backup systems; test Install alarm and backup systems; test

regularlyregularly