September 29, 2010
To – MA17 Solenoid Valve Customer
Re – Safety Recall of certain Sporlan/Refrigeration Specialties MA17 solenoid valves
Standard Machine & Manufacturing Co. manufactures MA17 solenoid valves for Sporlan and Refrigeration Specialties, both divisions of Parker Hannifin Corporation.
Standard Machine and Parker have been made aware of a small number of fractures of the tube portion of the MA17 solenoid valve where ammonia refrigerant has escaped as a result of the fracture. Ammonia is a refrigerant in industrial refrigeration facilities. MA17 solenoid valves are utilized on ammonia refrigeration compressors to cool oil in the compressor.
Standard and Parker are hereby recalling MA17 solenoid valves that meet any of the following criteria:
- MA17 valves with a date code of January, 2008 and after;
- MA17 valves installed during that time period (January 1, 2008 to present); and
- Any unused MA17 valves or unused MA17 part kits.
A free replacement Refrigeration Specialties solenoid valve, strainer and coil will be provided. Please consult the material safety data sheet(s) at your facility which pertain to ammonia, as well as safety documents pertaining to the refrigeration system and/or the facility. Information regarding the hazards of ammonia is referenced in certain government documents, such as the following: http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/ammoniarefrigeration/index.html; www.epa.gov/oem/docs/chem/ammonia.pdf.
Identification of the recalled valves and kits can be determined as described on the attached sheet. In addition, the attached sheet details other information needed to make sure the appropriate, compressor manufacturer approved, replacement valve is provided. Please contact Karina Villarreal at Parker by calling 1-877-499-6217 or send an Email to [email protected] to obtain the appropriate replacement valve.
Sincerely,
Virgil Gulley
Marketing Manager
Click Here (pdf) for a Recall Worksheet
MA17 Valve Date Code Identification Procedure
Purpose: This document describes the procedure for identifying the date codes of MA17 series solenoid valves.
Scope: The scope of this document applies to all MA17 series solenoid valves.
1. Locate the flow arrow cast into the valve body approximately 1 ” below the tube lock nut. See photo 1-1.
2. Below the flow arrow is a cast, upraised boss where the valve date code is stamped. See photo 1-1, date code boss is highlighted with red circle. This boss may be located behind a flange through bolt. See photo 1-2 below.
3. Please note that the date code was designated by month (i.e., 1 through 12) prior to October 2008. Thereafter, the date code was designated by week (i.e., 1 through 52). The date code will appear as the following:
a. Manufacture Date Prior to October 2008: Month (One or Two digits) – Year (Two Digits). For example a 7 – 08 stamping indicates July 2008.
b. Manufacture Date of October 2008 to present: Week (One or Two digits) – Year (Two Digits). For example a 7 – 09 stamping indicates week 7 of January 2009.
4. If date code is illegible due to epoxy paint, the paint can be removed using 180-220 grit sandpaper. Light@sand date code boss to remove paint layer. Care must be given such that excess material is not removed. Date code may be rendered illegible if too much material is removed from casting. See photo 1-3 below.
