Controller Pre-Trip Test Codes
Reefer Container PTI (Pre-Trip Inspection) is a critical process in the shipping of temperature-sensitive goods. It ensures that the reefer container is in good condition to maintain the required temperature for the cargo during transportation.
What is a Reefer Container PTI?
A reefer container is a specialized container equipped with a refrigeration unit to maintain a specific temperature. A PTI is a thorough inspection conducted on an empty reefer container before it is used to load cargo. The inspection aims to verify that the container’s cooling system, temperature control devices, and overall condition are suitable for transporting temperature-sensitive cargoes.
Why is a Reefer Container PTI Important?
• Cargo Preservation: A PTI helps ensure that the cargo remains in good condition throughout the journey by maintaining the required temperature.
• Cost Reduction: By identifying and addressing potential issues before loading, a PTI can help prevent costly cargo damage or delays.
• Risk Mitigation: A PTI can help reduce the risk of cargo spoilage or contamination, which can have significant financial and reputational consequences.
PTI is a crucial step in ensuring the safe and efficient transportation of perishable goods. By conducting a thorough inspection, shippers can minimize the risk of cargo damage and maintain the quality of their products.
ThaiReefer performs PTI on our containers before delivery to customers, contact us for more information.
| Code No. | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| NOTE “Auto” or “Auto1” menu includes the: P, P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 and rSLts. “Auto2” menu includes P, P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8, P9, P10 and rSLts.“Auto3 menu includes P, P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8 and rSLts | ||
| P | Pre-Trip Initiated | All lights and display segments will be energized for five seconds at the start of the pre-trip. Since the unit cannot recognize lights and display failures, there are no test codes or results associated with this phase of pre-trip. |
| P1-0 | Heaters Turned On | Setup: Heater must start in the OFF condition, and then be turned on. A current draw test is done after 15 seconds. Pass/Fail Criteria: Passes if current draw change is within the range specified. |
| P1-1 | Heaters Turned Off | Setup: Heater must start in the ON condition, and then be turned off. A current draw test is done after 10 seconds. Pass/Fail Criteria: Passes if current draw change is within the range specified. |
| P2-0 | Condenser Fan On | Requirements: Water pressure switch (WP) input must be closed. Setup: Condenser fan is turned ON, a current draw test is done after 15 seconds. Pass/Fail Criteria: Passes if current draw change is within the range specified. |
| P2-1 | Condenser Fan Off | Setup: Condenser fan is turned OFF, a current draw test is done after 10 seconds. Pass/Fail Criteria: Passes if current draw change is within the range specified. |
| P3 | Low Speed Evaporator Fans | Requirements: The unit must be equipped with a low speed evaporator fan, as determined by the Evaporator Fan speed select configuration variable. NOTE If the unit is configured for single evaporator fan operation, Pre-Trip tests P3-0, P3-1, P4-0 and P4-1 will fail immediately if Controller alarm codes AL11 or AL12 are active at the start of testing. |
| P3-0 | Low Speed Evaporator Fan Motors On | Setup: The high speed evaporator fans will be turned on for 10 seconds, then off for two seconds, then the low speed evaporator fans are turned on. A current draw test is done after 60 seconds. Pass/Fail Criteria: Passes if change in current draw is within the range specified. Fails if AL11 or AL12 activates during test. |
| P3-1 | Low Speed Evaporator Fan Motors Off | Setup: The low speed Evaporator Fan is turned off, a current draw test is done after 10 seconds. Pass/Fail Criteria: Passes if change in current draw is within the range specified. Fails if AL11 or AL12 activates during test. |
| P4-0 | High Speed Evaporator Fan Motors On | Setup: The high speed Evaporator Fan is turned on, a current draw test is done after 60 seconds. Pass/Fail Criteria: Passes if change in current draw is within the range specified. Fails if AL11 or AL12 activates during test. |
| P4-1 | High Speed Evaporator Fan Motors Off | Setup: The high speed Evaporator Fan is turned off, a current draw test is done after 10 seconds. Pass/Fail Criteria: Passes if change in current draw is within the range specified. Fails if AL11 or AL12 activates during test. |
| P5-0 | Supply/Return Probe Test | Setup: The High Speed Evaporator Fan is turned on and run for eight minutes, with all other outputs de-energized. Pass/Fail Criteria: A temperature comparison is made between the return and supply probes. NOTE If this test fails, “P5-0” and “FAIL” will be displayed. If both Probe tests (this test and the PRIMARY/ SECONDARY) pass, the display will read “P5” “PASS.” |
| P5-1 | Supply Probe Test | Requirements: For units equipped with secondary supply probe only. Pass/Fail Criteria: The temperature difference between primary and secondary probe (supply) is compared. NOTE If this test fails, “P5-1” and FAIL will be displayed. If both Probe tests (this and the SUPPLY/ RETURN TEST) pass, because of themultiple tests, the display will read ’P 5’ ’PASS’. |
| P5-2 | Return Probe Test | Requirements: For units equipped with secondary return probe only. Pass/Fail Criteria: The temperature difference between primary and secondary probe (return) is compared. NOTES 1. If this test fails, “P5-2” and “FAIL” will be displayed. If both Probe tests (this test and the SUPPLY/ RETURN) pass, because of the multiple tests, the display will read “P 5,” “PASS.” 2. The results of Pre-Trip tests 5-0, 5-1 and 5-2 will be used to activate or clear control probe alarms. |
| P-6 | Not Applicable | |
| P6-0 | Compressor On | Setup: A current draw test is performed before the compressor is started. The compressor is started. SMV is opened and another current draw test is performed. Pass/Fail Criteria: Passes if the change in compressor current draw is within the specified range. |
| P6-H & P6L | Not Applicable | |
| P6-2 | Suction Modulation Valve (Open and Closed) | Setup: The compressor and fans continue to run from the previous test. The quench valve (if configured) will operate as in normal control mode. The SMV is closed to 0% open, current and condenser pressure readings are taken. The SMV is opened to 50% with continuous current and condenser pressure readings taken to establish maximum values. The SMV is returned to 0% open and final readings are taken. Pass/Fail Criteria: Passes if the calculated difference in current at the 50% open position are above a specified value before and after opening of the SMV, OR the calculated difference in condenser pressure at the 50% open position are above a specified value before and after opening of the SMV |
| P6-3 | Quench Valve Test | Setup: The compressor suction temperature is measured with the Quench valve closed. The Quench valve is energized and the suction temperature drop is checked. Pass/Fail Criteria: Passes if suction temperature is within the valid range. |
| P6-4 | Not Applicable | Not Used |
| P6-5 | Not Applicable | Not Used |
| NOTE P7-0 & P8 are included with the “Auto2 & Auto 3” only. P9-0 through P10 are included with “Auto2” only | ||
| P7-0 | High Pressure Switch Closed | Setup: When the unit is running, the condenser fan is de-energized, and a 15 minute timer is started. The right display shows discharge pressure if the unit is equipped with a discharge pressure transducer (DPT). If no DPT is installed, the condenser pressure transducer (CPT) reading will be displayed. Pass/Fail Criteria: The test fails if high pressure switch fails to open in 15 minutes. |
| Note, this test is skipped if the unit does NOT have: A compressor discharge sensor (CPDS). A discharge pressure transducer (DPT). Condenser pressure transducer (CPT). | ||
| In addition, this test is skipped if: The sensed ambient temperature is less than 7_C (45_F). The return air temperature is less than --17.8_C (0_F). The water pressure switch (WP) is open, indicating that the unit is operating with a water-cooled condenser. | ||
| Pass/Fail Criteria: Under conditions of the above NOTE; the test immediately fails if the following inputs are sensed to be invalid: Compressor discharge sensor (CPDS). Discharge pressure transducer (DPT). Condenser pressure transducer (CPT). OR, if any one of the following inputs are sensed to be invalid: Return temperature sensor (RTS). Ambient sensor (AMBS). | ||
| In addition, the test will fail if: The high pressure switch (HPS) fails to open within 15 minutes. The discharge temperature exceeds 138_C (280_F). The discharge temperature is less than or equal to ambient temperature plus 5_C (9_F). The condenser pressure transducer (CPT) or discharge pressure transducer (DPT) pressure exceeds 27.42 kg/cm2 (390 psig). | ||
| P7-1 | High Pressure Switch Open | Requirements: Test P7-0 must pass for this test to execute. Setup: The condenser fan is started and a 60 second timer is started. Pass/Fail Criteria: Passes the test if the high pressure switch (HPS) closes within the 60 second time limit, otherwise, it fails. |
| P8-0 | Perishable Mode Heat Test | Setup: If the container temperature is below 15.6°C (60_F), the set point is changed to 15.6°C, and a 60 minute timer is started. The left display will read “P8-0.” The control will then heat the container until 15.6°C is reached. If the container temperature is above 15.6°C at the start of the test, then the test proceeds immediately to test P8-1 and the left display will change to “P8-1.” Pass/Fail Criteria: The test fails if the 180 minute timer expires before the control temperature reaches set point. The display will read “P8-0,” “FAIL.” |
| P8-1 | Perishable Mode Pull Down Test | Requirements: Control temperature must be at least 15.6°C (60_F). Setup: The set point is changed to 0°C (32_F), and a 180 minute timer is started. The left display will read “P8-1,” the right display will show the supply air temperature. The unit will then start to pull down the temperature to the 0°C set point. Pass/Fail Criteria: The test passes if the container temperature reaches set point before the 180 minute timer expires. |
| P8-2 | Perishable Mode Maintain Temperature Test | Requirements: Test P8-1 must pass for this test to execute. Setup: The left display will read “P8-2,” and the right display will show the supply air temperature. A 60 minute timer is started. The unit will be required to maintain the 0°C temperature to within + or -- 0.5_C (0.9_F) of set point until a Data- CORDER recording is executed. The recorder supply probe temperature running total (and its associated readings counter) will be zeroed out for the remainder of the recording period at the start of this test, so that the actual value recorded in the DataCORDER will be an average of only this test’s results. Once a recording interval is complete, the average recorder supply temperature will be recorded in the DataCORDER, as well as stored in memory for use in applying the test pass/ fail criteria. Pass/Fail Criteria: If the recorded temperature is within +/-- 0.5_C. of set point from test start to DataCORDER recording, the test passes. If the average temperature is outside of the tolerance range at the recording, the test fails. |
| P9-0 | Defrost Test | Setup: The defrost temperature sensor (DTS) reading will be displayed on the left display. The right display will show the supply air temperature. The unit will run FULL COOL for 30 minutes maximum until the DTT is considered closed. Once the DTT is considered closed, the unit simulates defrost by running the heaters for up to two hours, or until the DTT is considered open. Pass/Fail Criteria: The test fails if: the DTT is not considered closed after the 30 minutes of full cooling, HTT opens when DTT is considered closed or if return air temperature rises above 248_C (120_F). |
| P10-0 | Frozen Mode Setup Test | Setup: After completion of the defrost test, the testing proceeds directly to test P10--1 if the container temperature is above 7_C (45_F). If the container temperature is below 7_C, a 180 minute timer will be started, the set point will be set to 7_C and the control will be placed in normal heat. The left display will read “P10--0” and the unit will continue in operation until the temperature is raised to set point. Pass/Fail Criteria: If the temperature does not reach set point(less --0.3_C or 6.7 F) before the timer times out display will read “P100,” “FAIL”. The test will not auto--repeat. |
| P10-1 | Frozen Mode (Pull Down) Test | Setup: When the container temperature is greater than or equal to the 7.2°C (45_F) set point which was set in the frozen mode heat test, the left display will read “P10--1” and the right display will show the return air temperature. The set point will then be changed to --17.7_C (0_F). The unit will then have a maximum of three hours to pull the container temperature down to the --17.7°C set point. Pass/Fail Criteria: If this occurs within the three hour time limit, the test passes. If pulldown is not completed within the three hour time, the test fails. |
| P10-2 | Frozen Mode Maintain Temperature Test | Setup: After the unit has successfully completed frozen pulldown test, the left display will read “P10--2” and the right display will show return air temperature. The unit will then be required to maintain --17.7°C (0_F) temperature within +/-- 0.5_C (0.9_F) of set point until a DataCORDER recording is executed. The recorder return probe temperature running total (and its associated counter) will be zeroed for the remainder of the recording period at the start of this test, so that the actual recorded value will be an average of only this test’s results. Once the recording interval is complete, the average return temperature will be recorded in the DataCORDER, and stored in memory for use in applying the test pass/fail criteria. Pass/Fail Criteria: If the recorded temperature is within +/-- 0.5_C of set point from test start to DataCORDER recording, the test passes. If temperature is outside of the tolerance range at the DataCORDER recording, the test fails. |