Have you ever felt like the refrigerator is electric? At the slightest touch to the metal case, a tingling sensation occurs. This means that a small charge passes through it. You should not let things take their course, since such a “behavior” of technology indicates a malfunction of the refrigerator components or that the insulation of the network cable is broken.
Precautions must be taken so that neither you nor your family are harmed.
Why is the refrigerator electric
The cause of the malfunction and breakdown of the current to the case could be the motor-compressor of the refrigerator. Unpleasant sensations occur when touching the body, especially in such cases:
- You touched the surface with wet hands.
- With one hand you touched the radiator, the other to the refrigerator.
The risk of electric shock is increased if the floor is cemented and there is no insulation. At the first sign of a breakdown on the refrigerator case, immediately disconnect it from the power supply.
The main causes of the malfunction:
- Breakdown of refrigeration equipment. Malfunction of components and parts.
- No grounding. Usually, in old Soviet-built houses, grounding was not installed on sockets.
To correct the situation, you need to find the cause of the breakdown. You can immediately call the master, who himself will deal with the problem. You can also independently check the presence of grounding.
Before diagnosing, follow the recommendations:
- Be sure to unplug the refrigerator to avoid electric shock.
- Examine the network cable. If the wire insulation is broken, do not make repairs. It is better to completely replace the cable.
- If you are an expert in refrigeration, you can clean the contacts on the compressor.
It is necessary to sequentially check all the components and parts of the refrigerator for serviceability.
What to do to restore the operation of equipment
Every electrical appliance plugs into an outlet, and for safety reasons, they must be grounded. But in reality this is not always the case. How to check the room:
- Perform a visual inspection. If an old-style socket with a simple panel, holes without protection, then there is no grounding there.
- You can remove the outer panel and check the wires. Grounded products have three wires, and ordinary products have two.
A multimeter will help you check more accurately and more reliably. This device allows you to measure voltage. The method is suitable for modern sockets that are equipped with a grounding contact. What to do:
- Attach one multimeter probe to this pin.
- Insert the other probe first into the first, then into the second hole of the socket. The readings should be 220 – 0 V. If nothing is displayed on the screen or the readings jump, then the grounding is broken and does not work.
Further, if the readings are positive, switch the multimeter to the resistance measurement mode. Important! Remember in which hole the multimeter showed 0 V, this will come in handy for the next check:
- Attach one multimeter probe to the ground contact, the other to the 0 V phase.
- Resistance between 4 and 10 ohms is considered normal.
If the outlet fails the test, it may be due to a lack of ground between the outlet and the plug.
To make grounding in a house or apartment, buy a special outlet. Then you need to run a three-wire wire to it. What is it for:
- to prevent electric shock when touching the refrigerator case;
- ensure stable operation;
- reduce interference in the mains, which can cause a short circuit.
In any case, if the equipment is shocked, you need to contact the master so that he can diagnose it and exclude the possibility of a breakdown. Otherwise, such a malfunction may lead to fire.