Jeju Fire Headquarters Urges Caution for Fire Risk at Air Conditioner Indoor and Outdoor Unit Power Connections

[Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Jeongpil] The Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters (Chief Park Geun-oh) has urged special caution as fires can occur due to poor contact, corrosion, and moisture intrusion at connection points when the power wiring connecting the indoor and outdoor units of air conditioners is cut and reconnected.

According to the Jeju Fire Safety Headquarters on the 6th, a total of 1,168 air conditioner fires occurred nationwide over the past five years (2017?2021), concentrated in the summer months (June?August_71.1%) when air conditioner use increases, with most caused by electrical factors (75.4%).

Following a recent fire at the power connection of an air conditioner's indoor and outdoor units in Jeju, the Regional Fire Investigation Team conducted a "Reproduction Experiment on the Ignition Risk of Air Conditioner Indoor and Outdoor Unit Power Connections" to scientifically identify the cause and risk of the fire.

The experiment showed that when the power wiring between the indoor and outdoor units of an air conditioner is connected (extended) in the middle, the connection point is vulnerable to fire.

In particular, when wires are simply twisted together, the connection point becomes loose, increasing contact resistance and generating heat, which can cause fires in the wire insulation and insulation materials.

Analysis of air conditioner fires in Jeju this year revealed that the power connection between indoor and outdoor units was not made using original wires but was cut, simply twisted together, and finished with insulating tape.

Additionally, moisture generated by condensation in the refrigerant supply piping can penetrate the connection area, or if wiring is extended with wires that do not meet standards, there is also a risk of fire.

Experiments measuring heating temperatures according to connection methods and wire thickness showed that using thinner wires than standard wires generated more heat, and simply twisting wires produced more heat than using crimp sleeves.

A Fire Safety Headquarters official stated, "When installing air conditioners, the power connection between indoor and outdoor units should use original wires whenever possible. If cutting and reconnecting wiring is unavoidable, connections should be made using crimp sleeves and finished with heat shrink tubing."

He added, "We urge that wires be firmly fixed to minimize resistance heat caused by movement or gaps during use and that wires meeting standards be used."

Jeju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Hwang Jeongpil baekok@asiae.co.kr

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.