How a Fridge, Freezer or Fridge-Freezer Works

    Most domestic fridges works through the process of removing heat by compressing a gas into a liquid, then allowing this to evaporate back into a gas, resulting in a temperature reduction of well below freezing (typically -30°C).

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     fridge freezer

    Most refrigeration appliances use an electric motor to drive a piston, forcing the gas around a closed system.

    The gas is passed through a condenser until it reaches a fine-bore capillary tube, where the restriction of size causes the gas to compress into a liquid. This generates heat and the condenser allows this heat to disperse into the local area outside of the fridge.

    The condenser on early refrigerators was a black radiator on the back of the cabinet, but on some modern appliances it may be in the outer walls of the appliance or accompanied by a fan in the base of American style fridge-freezers.

    The compressed liquefied gas passes through the capillary into the refrigeration appliance cavity where it opens into the evaporator radiator. This allows the liquefied gas to expand and evaporate, reducing the temperature as the gas boils.

    In a simple fridge-freezer the liquefied gas enters the freezer evaporator first and then, whilst still partially liquid, passes to the fridge evaporator before leaving to return to the compressor. This boiling of the gas continues until all the liquefied gas has evaporated, and then the gas is piped back out of the evaporator and through the compressor again.

    Frost-free freezers have the evaporator fitted behind an insulated panel and blow air to take the cold generated around the cabinet. On some frost-free fridge-freezers the cold air from the freezer may be ducted into the fridge and controlled by a flap or shutter to regulate the fridge temperature.

    As the gas system is sealed no gas should be able to escape and it is not possible without a vacuum pump and charging station to replace any part of the gas system or compressor. If the gas does leak out over time the performance and regulation of the fridge will reduce until it can no longer attain the required temperatures.

    The appliance contains sensors or a thermostat to control the temperature by varying the gas flow through the system.

    Fridge and Freezer accessories

    Cure door seal gaps by warming with a hair dryer and stretching into shape before closing and letting set in its new position.

    * All information provided is a guide only. BuySpares accepts no liability for any problems occurred while attempting any advice shown. If in any doubt contact a qualified repair service.