PANASONIC’S PRO ACADEMY CELEBRATES ITS CENTURIAN
8/24/2012 7:02 AM EST
Since its launch at the end of September 2011, thePanasonicPROAcademyhas seen more than 100 contractors, distributors, installers and specifiers pass through its doors. The successful Bracknell-based training facility, which was opened by Enrique Vilamitjana, PAPAEU’s Managing Director on 28 September 2011, continues to prove the ideal learning platform for trade employees.
Headed up by Panasonic’s Training and Technical Manager, David Livingstone, the Pro Academy provides course attendees with up-to-date specialist knowledge about Panasonic’s new products as well as design, installation and commissioning skills. Kitted out with Panasonic’s ECOi VRF, FS Multi and Aquarea systems, the attendees have the opportunity to see the units working, ensuring that they fully understand the products. The training room also demonstrates the latest innovations to the gas-driven GHP system and the company’s wide range of controllers.
Delegates on the course have included Panasonic distributors, Rexel and their suppliers, Plumbase companies, TFS solution employees and many more. Avnash Jhita, from Nexus Building Solutions Ltd, who attended Panasonic’s air-to-water heat pump full day course in April 2012, says
“I can’t stress enough how beneficial I, and subsequently, Nexus Building Solutions Ltd have found the course. As an installer directed to the training centre through Rexel, Panasonic’s straight forward and easy to digest air-to-water heat pump guidance has proved pivotal for professional progression. In fact, if it weren’t for their friendly theoretical and practical tuition, Nexus Building Solutions Ltd wouldn’t have known the benefits of exclusively supplying Panasonic’s Aquarea range within their Lemmington-Spa branch.”
The training academy offers a number of half-day, one day and longer courses options, which typically cover three levels: design and selection, installation, commissioning and troubleshooting. In-depth tuition on the Panasonic VRF ranges and the Aquarea air-to-water heat pump products is also available, and over the last six months, has proved particularly popular.
Commenting on the training centres’ success, David Livingstone says, “It’s certainly encouraging to see the amount of interest and course participation grow since its launch last year. The recent receipt of our one-hundredth attendee only exemplifies Panasonic’s hard work and professional ethos.”
The Panasonic PRO-Academy curriculum includes:
Split System Selection, Installation and Commissioning – 1/2 day
This course is aimed at employees of Panasonic’s industry partners involved in the installation/commissioning of split systems in the capacity range 2.5 Kw-25Kw. The course is run over 1 full day at the Bracknell training facilities. All attendees must be fully F-gas registered. On completion of the course the attendee will have a full knowledge of the following.
- Split system selection
- Refrigeration installation procedures
- Electrical installation procedures
- Commissioning procedures to include the following
a) Pressure testing requirements
b) Electrical testing
c) Operational testing
d) Drainage testing
e) Installing optional controls
f) Instructing the customer in the use of the system.
g) System maintenance
VRF Selection and Design – 1 day
This course is aimed at the Design Engineers and Contract Managers who either design or manage the installation of large VRF projects, it will entail:
- Basic VRF operating Principle both 2 and 3 pipe systems, including:
a) An explanation of the different components of a VRF system
b) Outdoor unit and their functions
c) An explanation of the operation of the VRF Refrigerant system
- An explanation of Panasonic’s electric VRF range of products
- Both 2 heat pump and 3 pipe heat recovery systems, including an explanation of:
a) The different types of indoor units available
b) The different types of outdoor units available
c) The Outdoor unit possible combinations and limitations
- System Design using Panasonic’s VRF design software.
- Focusing on:
a) Unit selection
b) System capacity adjustments for extended pipe work and
c) Elevations
d) Corrected capacity based on design conditions and ambient conditions
e) Piping limitations
f) How extra refrigerant charge affects room refrigerant limit density relating to EN378
VRF 1: The Installation of heat pump and heat recovery VRF systems – 1/2 day
This course is aimed at the employees of Panasonic’s industry partners who are responsible for the installation of large VRF projects. It will cover:
- VRF Product range overview
- An explanation of both 2 pipe and 3 pipe VRF operation
- VRF installation procedures, including:
a) Positioning the outdoor unit
b) Installing the refrigeration pipe work
c) The use of dry nitrogen during hot works
d) Installing the control cabling
e) Pressure testing the completed
f) Evacuating the complete system
g) Calculating the extra refrigerant charge
- Basic commissioning requirements
- Basic fault finding on VRF systems
VRF 2: In depth commissioning procedures for Panasonic VRF systems – 1 day
This course is aimed at the employees of Panasonic’s industry partners who have successfully completed VRF 1. It will cover in-depth commissioning procedures focusing on system operational control, as well as:
- A detailed explanation of VRF system operation
- VRF refrigerant system operation
- VRF capacity control
- Head pressure control
- Defrost control
- Oil return control
- SVK operation
- Advanced detailed setting menu explanation
- Using the Standard remote controller as a service tool
- Connection of system controllers basic and LCD touch screen models
- An explanation of other available controls for connection to BMS systems
GHP 1: GHP Operation and Installation procedures - 1/2 day
This course is aimed at the employees of Panasonic’s industry partners who are responsible for the installation of large GHP VRF projects, covering:
- GHP Product range overview
- A brief explanation of both 2 pipe and 3 pipe GHP operation
- GHP installation procedures to cover
a) Positioning the outdoor unit
b) Refrigeration pipe work installation
c) Control cable installation
d) Fuel gas pipe work installation
e) Condensate drainage from the outdoor unit
f) Requirements for the positioning of the exhaust gas pipe work if required
- Installing and connection of all indoor units
- Pressure testing the GHP system
- Evacuating the GHP refrigeration system
- Basic GHP commissioning procedures
- Basic fault finding on GHP systems focused on common faults
- Associated with the commissioning procedure
GHP 2: In-depth Commissioning Procedures - 1/2 day
This course is aimed at the employees of our industry partners who have completed GHP 1 and who are involved commissioning of GHP VRF systems. It will cover:
- Detailed explanation of the operation of the GHP engine system including the following
a) GHP refrigerant system operation
b) GHP compressor operation and capacity control
c) Head pressure control
d) Oil return control
e) Engine capacity control and operation
f) Detailed explanation of the engine coolant water system
- SVK operation
- Advanced detailed setting menu explanation
- Using the Standard remote controller as a service tool
- Connection of system controllers basic and LCD touch screen models
- An explanation of other available controls for connection to BMS Systems
- GHP outdoor PCB menu operation
- Introduction to GHP 10,000 hour service procedure
GHP 3: 10,000 hour service procedures - 1 day
This course is aimed at the employees of Panasonic’s industry partners who have completed GHP 2 and who are involved in the service and maintenance of GHP VRF systems. It includes:
- GHP 10,000 hour service requirements including
a) Changing the engine oil and oil filter
b) Changing the engine spark plugs
c) Changing the engine air filter
d) Changing the compressor drive belt
e) Setting the engine valve clearance
f) Cleaning and replenishing the engine exhaust oil filter and condensate drain
- Checking the engine operation
- Outdoor PCB setting and software upgrade
- GHP engine coolant water replacement and air purging procedure
- Ignition timing checking and adjustment
- Fault finding on GHP systems
- 30,000 hour refresh maintenance requirements
Air to Water Heat Pump Training 1 – 1 day
This course is aimed at the employees of Panasonic’s industry partners who are involved in the design and selection of A2W heat pump systems and will include:
- A2W Heat pump operating principle covering the following
a) Basic refrigeration system operating principle
b) An explanation of the function of heat pump components
c) Basic unit selection
d) An explanation of possible thermal losses due to ambient conditions and defrosts operation
- An explanation of Panasonic’s range of A2W heat pumps, including:
a) Mono Block systems
b) Bi Block systems
c) High Connectivity systems
d) Total Capacity systems
e) High Temperature systems
- Examples of different system applications EG. Radiator heating, Under-floor heating, mixed system cooling and heating
- Detailed instructions on the operation of the Aquarea design software
Air to Water Heat Pump Training 2 – 1 Day
This course is aimed at the employees of Panasonic’s industry partners who have completed A2W level 1 and who are involved in the commissioning, service and maintenance of Panasonic A2W heat pump systems. The course is designed to give the attendee a full understanding of the commissioning and maintenance procedures for Panasonic A2W heat pumps along with knowledge of fault finding procedures. The course will include information of the following.
- Commissioning procedures for A2W heat pump systems.
- Detailed explanation of heat pump internal refrigeration and water circuits.
- Detailed explanation of Heat pump operation focusing on possible error codes and fault finding.
- The use of the standard remote controller as a service tool.
If you’d like to secure your place at Panasonic’s PRO Academy, either book online at http://training.panasonicproclub.com or phone the Panasonic Heating & Cooling team direct on 01344 853182.
For more information on Panasonic and any of their heating and cooling products, please visit www.panasonic.co.uk/aircon or email .
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About Panasonic
Panasonic Corporation is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronic products in three business fields, consumer, components & devices, and solutions. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated net sales of about 72 billion Euros for the year ended March 31, 2012. Panasonic’s stock is listed on the Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and New York (NYSE:PC) Stock Exchanges. The company has the vision of becoming the No. 1 Green Innovation Company in the Electronics Industry by the 100th year of its founding in 2018. For more information on Panasonic, its brand and commitment to sustainability, visit the company's website at http://panasonic.net/.