ARES Cool 20 Cu. Ft. Explosion-Proof (Hazardous Location) Laboratory Refrigerator ARS-HC-ERP-20

Description

ARES Cool ARS-HC-ERP-20 – Product Highlights

• 20 cubic foot interior with four full and one half adjustable shelves — largest single-cabinet upright capacity in the ARES Scientific explosion-proof refrigerator tier, with adjustable shelving accommodating variable container heights from small reagent bottles to large solvent containers.
• Class 1, Division II, Groups A, B, C & D — meets NFPA 70 Article 500 and OSHA hazardous-location guidelines for rooms where flammable vapors, gases, or volatile dusts may be present in the surrounding atmosphere under abnormal conditions.
• ATEX and non-sparking architecture — vapor-proof compressor enclosure, exterior-mounted microprocessor controller, and conduit-only electrical termination remove ignition pathways inside and outside the cabinet across the 1°C to 10°C adjustable temperature range.
• Forced-draft air circulation and cycle defrost — fan-driven internal airflow supports uniform temperatures across the 20 cu. ft. cabinet volume, while cycle defrost eliminates manual intervention common to explosion-proof freezer designs in the broader hazardous materials freezers and refrigerators family.
• R600a natural hydrocarbon refrigerant — low global warming potential isobutane refrigerant paired with high-density urethane insulation supports facility sustainability reporting alongside the ENERGY STAR-aligned ARES Scientific cold storage refrigerator portfolio.
• Hardwired 115 V, 60 Hz conduit installation — no power cord shipped; final connection is hardwired at the install site to comply with Class 1, Division II practice and local AHJ requirements; rated amperage is 2.5 A.
• Microprocessor controller with °C/°F switchable digital display — verifiable digital setpoint, faster recovery after door openings, and bilingual unit display useful for multi-site standardization and global-program documentation.
• State switching remote alarm contacts plus audible and visual high/low alarms — integrates with facility BMS and centralized monitoring for 24/7 unattended operation and audit-grade documentation of high-value reagent and product storage.
• Keyed door lock and rear wall probe access — restricted access for controlled chemistries and a 3/4 in. probe port for external temperature monitoring and validation devices required in accredited environments.
• Two-year parts and labor warranty — ARES Cool is ARES Scientific’s proprietary cold storage line, distributed exclusively by ARES Scientific with full warranty support and U.S.-based customer service for sizing, installation guidance, and ongoing service after deployment.

Frequently Asked Questions – ARS-HC-ERP-20

Why choose a 20 cubic foot explosion-proof refrigerator over multiple smaller units?

The 20 cu. ft. capacity consolidates reagent, solvent, and intermediate storage into a single hardwired conduit installation rather than requiring multiple smaller cabinets and electrical terminations. For cannabis post-processing, mid-scale pharmaceutical pilot plants, multi-team analytical chemistry programs, or contract labs servicing several clients from one classified room, a single ERP-20 typically reduces installation cost, monitoring complexity, and floor footprint relative to two or three smaller-capacity hazloc refrigerators.

What is the difference between cycle defrost and manual defrost in explosion-proof units?

Cycle defrost runs automatically on a scheduled basis using the compressor off-cycle, requiring no operator action — this is standard for refrigerator-class units like the ERP-20 operating in the 1°C to 10°C range. Manual defrost is used on freezer-class units operating at -15°C to -25°C and requires periodic operator intervention to remove ice buildup. The architecture difference is driven by physics, not by the explosion-proof rating; both defrost types are compatible with Class 1, Division II compliance.

Can the ARS-HC-ERP-20 be paired with an explosion-proof freezer?

Yes. The ERP-20 is commonly specified alongside a 14, 17, or 20 cu. ft. explosion-proof freezer when a classified room needs both 1°C to 10°C refrigerated storage and -15°C to -25°C frozen storage. For tighter footprint requirements, an explosion-proof combination unit consolidates both temperature zones into a single cabinet. Side-by-side install of the ERP-20 with a matching upright freezer is the standard pattern in classified chemistry and cannabis facilities.

What does R600a refrigerant mean for facility safety and sustainability planning?

R600a is isobutane, a natural hydrocarbon refrigerant with a global warming potential of approximately three — orders of magnitude lower than legacy HFC and HCFC refrigerants used in older explosion-proof equipment. The ERP-20’s hydrocarbon refrigerant safety listing under UL 471 governs charge limits and venting requirements. From a facility planning perspective, R600a supports sustainability reporting goals without requiring any change to room HVAC or classified-area documentation.

Does the ERP-20 support data logging for accreditation audits?

The microprocessor controller provides digital display and alarm functionality, and the state-switching remote alarm contacts integrate with facility BMS for centralized event capture. For accredited environments — CAP, CLIA, USP-compliant pharmacy, ISBER biorepository, or AABB blood bank programs — facilities typically pair the ERP-20 with a dedicated chart recorder or external data logger connected through the rear-wall probe port to maintain continuous, audit-ready temperature records independent of the cabinet controller.

What are the install-site requirements beyond the conduit electrical?

Beyond hardwired 115 V, 60 Hz, 2.5 A conduit termination, the ERP-20 requires four inches of clearance around the back and sides for compressor airflow and an ambient room environment between +18°C and +26°C with relative humidity under 70 percent. Door swing requires 28.75 inches of clear front depth. Layout against the facility’s classified-area drawings should be reviewed prior to install, and adjacent placement with companion units in the ARES laboratory refrigerator catalog is standard practice.