Refrigerators

Topics

 Applications
 Principles of Operation
 Diagrams
 Safety
 Preventive Maintenance
 Common Failure Modes
 Basic Troubleshooting
Applications
 In laboratory or medical setting, used
to keep medicines and chemicals cool
Principle of Operation
Inputs Outputs

AC Voltage Heat Absorbing Refrigerant

Warm Substances Cooled Substances

Principles of Operation
 Refrigerant cycles through a sealed system of
high and low pressures, releasing and
absorbing heat
 Refrigeration: Absorption of heat during the
evaporation of a liquid refrigerant
 Four main components
 Compressor
 Condenser
 Expansion Valve/Metering Device
 Evaporator
Principles of Operation

High Temp High Temp

High Pressure High Pressure
Vapor Liquid

Low Temp Low Temp

Low Pressure Low Pressure
Vapor Liquid
Principles of Operation
 Compressor
 The refrigerant is compressed into a high
pressure, high temperature vapor
 Condenser
 As refrigerant passes through the condensing
coils heat moves from the refrigerant to the
surrounding air causing it to condense.
 The refrigerant leaves the condenser as a high
pressure, high temperature liquid.
Principles of Operation
 Metering Device
 Regulates how much liquid refrigerant
enters the evaporator
 Tries to maintain a preset temperature
difference on either side of the evaporator
opening
 Principles of Operation
 Evaporator
 Metering device allows small amount of refrigerant into evaporator
 Refrigerant rapidly expands, cools
 At beginning of the evaporator refrigerant is a low pressure, low temperature
liquid
 As refrigerant passes through evaporator, it pulls heat out of refrigerator causing
refrigerant to slowly evaporate back into a vapor
 The refrigerant returns to the compressor as low pressure, low temperature vapor
Principles of Operation
 Electrical Components
 Compressor
 Thermostat
 Overload protector
Principles of Operation
 Compressor
 Motor and compressor are in one unit
and is known as a sealed unit
 Single phase induction motor
 Contains two windings
 Starter (S)
 Main (M)
Principles of Operation
 Overload Protector
 A thermal device which opens the circuit of
the motor when overloaded
 Prevents damage to the motor when PTC
prevents starting, but current is sent to
motor’s main winding
 Diagrams
Hot line (outlet)
Electrical (compressor discharge
Expansion Wire line)
Compressor
Valve Housing

Drying
Assembly

Liquid Line Overload

Power Cold Line Grounding
Protector
Cord (inlet) (Suction Plate
line)
Safety
 Never puncture any line containing
refrigerant
 Never use a sharp object to chip ice off
of evaporator
 Allow ice to melt naturally or use a hair
dryer
 Use PPE if refrigerator is used to store
biological hazards
 Before using, read the owner's manual
Operation
 Never connect a unit to an overloaded electrical
outlet or one with voltage deficiencies
 Avoid the use of electrical extension cords
 The electrical outlet must not be more than
2 m from the unit
 Install the unit on a levelled surface
 Leave free space around unit to avoid over
heating
 Do not install under direct sun light
Preventive Maintenance
 If connected to good quality electrical circuits
and good ventilation flows around the unit,
refrigerators function for years without
specialized technical maintenance
 Clean inside of refrigerator box
 Avoid using steel wool or other abrasive materials
for cleaning the shelves and drawers
 Avoid using gasoline, naphtha or thinners, as
these damage the plastic, the packing or the paint
on the surfaces.
 Check door gasket fully seals door
Common Failures
 Blown fuse
 Bad power connection
 Evaporator covered in ice
 Condenser is blocked or dirty
 Door does not close properly
 Failed overload protector
 User Error: improper setup/placement
 Faulty thermostat
Basic Troubleshooting
PROBLEM PROBABLE CAUSE PROBLEM PROBABLE CAUSE

The unit is not • Blown fuse The unit shows a • The door is open
functioning • The equipment is high
temperature • Poor door seal
disconnected
• There is no or
• There is a defect
low electricity in
in the electrical
the feed circuit
feed

The freezer is • The thermostat • A warm load

functioning is adjusted too (liquids or solids)
continuously but high was placed inside
is not • The unit contains the unit.
cooling. excessive frost
• The compressor is
The unit is • The temperature not functioning
showing control is not
fluctuations in calibrated • The compressor is
temperature. • The condenser is functioning but
dirty there is no ice in
the evaporator
 Basic Troubleshooting
PROBLEM PROBABLE CAUSE PROBLEM PROBABLE CAUSE

The compressor • Not enough air

runs circulation around
Upon operating the •The compressor’s
continuously the unit
unit, noises similar to thermal protector
clicking has been
• Faulty thermostat
sounds can be heard disconnected
• Poor door seal
•Floor not stable or
• Room too warm
Noisy operation cabinet not levelled

•Drip tray vibrating

• The door is being
opened too often or
•The cooling fan is is not closed
hitting the cover or
• The light switch is
compressor is loose
defective