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While the technique is functioning properly, the user is not interested in how it works. Knowing how a refrigerator works will be needed when a breakdown occurs: it will help you avoid a serious malfunction or quickly determine the location. Proper operation also largely depends on the knowledge of the user. In the article, we will consider the device of a household refrigerator and its operation.
How does a compressor refrigerator work?
Atlant, Stinol, Indesit and other models are equipped with compressors that start the cooling process in the chamber.
Main components:
- Compressor (motor). It is inverter and linear. By starting the motor, freon moves through the tubes of the system, providing cooling in the chambers.
- The condenser is a tube on the rear wall of the case (in the latest models it can be placed on the side). The heat generated by the compressor during operation is released by the condenser to the environment. So the refrigerator does not overheat.
That is why manufacturers prohibit the installation of equipment near batteries, radiators and stoves. Then overheating cannot be avoided, and motor will fail quickly.
- Evaporator. Here freon boils and passes into a gaseous state. In this case, a large amount of heat is taken in, the tubes in the chamber are cooled together with the air in the compartment.
- Valve for thermoregulation. Maintains the set pressure for the movement of the refrigerant.
- The refrigerant is freon gas or isobutane. It circulates through the system, helping to cool the chambers.
It is important to understand correctly how the technique works: it does not produce cold. The air is cooled due to the selection of heat and its return to the surrounding space. Freon passes into the evaporator, absorbs heat and goes into a vapor state. The engine drives the motor piston. The latter compresses freon and creates pressure for its distillation through the system. Once in the condenser, the refrigerant cools (heat goes out), turning into a liquid.
To set the desired temperature in the chambers, a thermostat is installed. In models with electronic control (LG, Samsung, Bosch), it is enough to set the values on the panel.
Passing into the filter-drier, the refrigerant gets rid of moisture and passes through the capillary tubes. Then it goes back to the evaporator. The motor distills the freon and repeats the cycle until the optimum temperature is established in the compartment. As soon as this happens, the control board sends a signal to the start relay, which turns off the motor.
Single-chamber and double-chamber refrigerator
Despite the same structure, there are still differences in the principle of operation. Older two-chamber models are equipped with one evaporator for both chambers. Therefore, if during defrosting mechanically remove frost and touch the evaporator, the entire refrigerator will fail.
The new two-chamber wardrobe has two compartments, each of which is equipped with an evaporator. Both chambers are isolated from each other. Usually in such cases, the freezer is at the bottom, and the refrigerator compartment is at the top.
Since there are zones with zero temperature in the refrigerator (read what is the freshness zone in the refrigerator), freon is cooled in the freezer to a certain level, and then moves to the upper compartment. As soon as the indicators reach the norm, the thermostat is activated, and the starting relay turns off the motor.
Devices with one motor are most in demand, although with two compressors they are also gaining popularity. The latter function in the same way, just a separate compressor is responsible for each chamber.
But not only in two-chamber technology, you can separately set the temperature. There are such devices (“Minsk” 126, 128 and 130), where electromagnetic valves are installed. They block the supply of freon to the refrigerator compartment. Based on the readings of the temperature controller, cooling is performed.
A more complex design involves the placement of special sensors that measure the temperature outside and regulate it inside the chamber.
How long does the compressor run
Exact indications are not indicated in the instructions. The main thing is that the motor power is enough for normal freezing of products. There is a general coefficient of work: if the device operates for 15 minutes and rests for 25 minutes, then 15 / (15 + 25) u0,37d XNUMX.
If the calculated indicators turned out to be less than 0,2, then you need to adjust the readings of the thermostat. More than 0,6 indicates a violation of the tightness of the chamber.
Absorption refrigerator
In this design, the working fluid (ammonia) evaporates. The refrigerant circulates through the system due to the dissolution of ammonia in water. Then the liquid passes into the desorber, and then into the reflux condenser, where it is again separated into water and ammonia.
Refrigerators of this type are rarely used in everyday life, since they are based on toxic components.
Models with No Frost and “weeping” wall
Technology with the No Frost system is at the peak of popularity today. Because the technology allows you to defrost the refrigerator once a year, just to wash it. Functioning features ensure the removal of moisture from the system, so ice and snow do not form in the chamber.
The evaporator is located in the freezer compartment. The cold it generates is distributed through the refrigerator compartment with the help of a fan. There are holes in the chamber at the level of the shelves, where the cold stream comes out and is evenly distributed over the compartment.
After the run cycle, a defrost is started. The timer starts the evaporator heater. The frost melts, and the moisture is brought out, where it evaporates.
“Crying Evaporator”. The name is based on the principle that frost forms on the evaporator during compressor operation. As soon as the motor is turned off, the ice melts and the condensate flows into the drain hole. The defrost method is called drip.
Superfreeze
The function is also called “Quick Freeze”. It is implemented in many two-chamber models “Haer”, “Biryusa”, “Ariston”. In electromechanical models, the mode is started by pressing a button or turning a knob. The compressor begins to work non-stop until the products are completely frozen both inside and out. After that, the function must be disabled.
It is recommended to turn on the mode for up to 72 hours.
The electronic control automatically turns off super-freezing, according to the signals of thermoelectric sensors.
Electric circuit
To independently find the cause of the problem, you will need knowledge of the electrical circuit.
The current supplied to the circuit goes like this:
- goes through the contacts of the thermal relay (1);
- defrost buttons (2);
- thermal relay (3);
- start-protective relay (5);
- is applied to the working winding of the motor motor (4.1).
A non-working motor winding passes a voltage greater than the specified value. In this case, the starting relay is activated, closes the contacts and starts the winding. After reaching the desired temperature, the thermal relay contacts open and the engine stops the motor.
Now you understand the refrigerator and how it should work. This will help to properly operate the device and extend its life.