Method for operating a cooling device in the event of a leakage and a corresponding cooling device

A method for operating a cooling device for the switchgear cabinet air conditioning or the air conditioning of an IT environment, for example a data centre, which comprises:

• A. operating a refrigerating machine of the cooling device, the refrigerating machine comprising a refrigerant circuit with a compressor, a condenser, an expansion member and an evaporator;
• B. detecting a leakage of the refrigerant circuit, in which refrigerant escapes from the refrigerant circuit;
• C. shutting off a feed of the evaporator between the evaporator and the condenser;
• and
• D. activating and/or maintaining the compressor activated, wherein a pipeline system of the evaporator, which is connected to the refrigerant circuit, is brought to a negative pressure with respect to an atmosphere in the interior of the switch cabinet housing or the IT environment.