Currently, the marketing of all refrigerating devices for domestic use is only permitted if the equipment complies with Regulations for the Assessment of Refrigerators and Similar Products. These regulations stipulate the need to submit these devices to energy efficiency and electrical safety tests. Today LABELO is the only Brazilian laboratory accredited and designated by Cgcre to simultaneously conduct energy efficiency and electrical safety tests.
The efficiency of a refrigerator is determined by the relationship between its energy consumption and cooling capacity, reflecting the quality of thermal isolation and performance of components such as the device’s compressor. Products that are labeled “A” consume up to 50% less power than those of the same size in category “E”.
The electrical safety of refrigerators is evaluated according to the requirements described in the regulation. To conduct these assessments, the laboratory uses modern equipment with metrology traceability to national and international standards.
Since 2001, when a series of blackouts occurred in a number of Brazilian states, interest has grown in the industry to provide products that are increasingly energy efficient. The National Electrical Energy Conservation Program (PROCEL) provides consumers with information regarding the level of efficiency for equipment. This information is available on labels that indicate the consumption of devices, classifying them from A to E, with E being lest efficient.
In March 2003, LABELO began to cater to the demands of companies interested in using the labels on their products. In order to offer this service, LABELO and the School of Engineering developed two calorimeters using their own technology.
Due to the huge demand for these services, and agreement was signed between PUCRS and Eletrobras on November 09, 2005 and the Energy Efficiency testing Laboratory Complex was inaugurated. This new complex has four calorimeters capable of testing large-scale refrigeration products.
On February 01, 2006 Ordinance 20 came into effect, approving the Regulations for the Conformity Assessment of Refrigerators and Similar Products and stipulating the mandatory labeling of these products.
Since then, LABELO has put together a team of highly qualified technicians capable of exclusively conducting electrical safety and energy efficiency tests on refrigerators and consistently invests in training new personnel with a view to continuously improving the laboratories.
The laboratory is accredited for the following standards related to energy efficiency testing on refrigerators:
IEC 62552/2007;
ISO 8187/1991;
ISO 7371/1995;
ISO 5155/1995;
ISO 8561/1995;
ISO 15502/2005.
For electrical safety testing, LABELO’s scope includes the following standards:
NBR NM 60335-1 (1998 and 2006).
IEC 60335-2-24 (2000, 2005, 2007, 2010).
LABELO is qualified to test all types of refrigerators and freezers for domestic use, in accordance with the categories described below:
Refrigerator;
Combined Refrigerator;
Combined Frost-Free Refrigerator
Vertical Freezer
Vertical Frost-Free Freezer
Horizontal Freezer
The document that regulates the Brazilian Labeling Program applicable to Refrigerators can be obtained via the following link:
http://www.Inmetro.gov.br/legislacao/rtac/pdf/RTAC001000.pdf
How can I request a quote for a refrigerator test?
Quotes should be requested via email and contain the following information: company name, contact name and number, as well as the name, manufacturer and model of the equipment to be tested.
In order for the service to be valid, the quote must be approved by means of the term of approval on the last page of the quote. This should be filled out and sent by fax +55 (51) 3320-3883 or +55 (51) 3320-3901, or via email.
What documents must be sent to the laboratory for energy efficiency tests?
The following must be provided for energy efficiency tests: instruction manual; technical specifications spreadsheet, plan(s) of the load to be used in the tests in accordance with the applicable standards; drawings with at least two views determining the volume of the refrigerator and/or freezer compartments so as to establish the calculation method used for the declared volume of these compartments, in accordance with the applicable standards; instructions on adjustments for the thermostat, electronic temperature control, fast-freezing button and other information that may be necessary (when the client does not provide this information, the equipment will be adjusted for maximum refrigeration).
What documents must be sent to the laboratory for electrical safety tests?
The following must be provided for electrical safety tests: instruction and installation manual for the device in Portuguese, technical specifications spreadsheet, evidence of component compliance with the relevant IEC standards and instructions, when applicable, regarding the defrosting procedure (setting to carry out defrosting).
How many samples should be sent to the laboratory for energy efficiency and electrical safety tests?
Two samples must be sent: One for energy efficiency tests and another for electrical safety testing. Electrical safety tests also require additional components to be sent together with the samples. When the device uses a flammable coolant in the refrigeration system an additional sample is required.
Which products should undergo energy efficiency testing?
Energy efficiency tests should be performed on all models.
Which products should undergo electrical safety tests?
Electrical safety tests should be conducted on the most comprehensive model in each group.
Which devices are tested in accordance with the Brazilian Labeling Program (PBE) and which are tested under Ordinance 371?
Devices for domestic use such as refrigerators, combined fridge-freezers, frost-free devices, freezers and frost-free freezers are tested in line with the PBE. Commercial devices, wine cellars or appliances with glass lids are tested according to Ordinance 371.
