Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

Aim: - Testing of air distribution system, defrost heater, evaporator fan etc of frost
free refrigeration system

Description: -

Almost all the faults that are occurred in the frost free refrigerator are same
as like direct cooled refrigerator. Some of the other faults are occurred in such
refrigerator due to the additional electrical devices like timer motor, bimetallic
thermostat. Defrost heater, fuse & evaporator fan etc.

Procedure:-

1. Run the refrigerator. Measure the running and starting current of compressor
motor. By using the anemometer check for the evaporator fan air flow
velocity, it should be near about 5 m/s.
2. After running the refrigerator for some time check the air flow though the air
distribution duct. Also check for the proper cooling at below compartment.

Fig 1 wiring diagram of frost free refrigerator

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3. Now check for the timer motor, bimetallic, defrost heater during the defrost
cycle. If some of them are not functioning properly then open the freezer
cabinet and check each of the one by one.

Fig 2 Air distribution system

4. After testing all the accessories refit it into the system and run the
refrigerator.

 Testing of fan motor-

a. Use the series supply test lamp. Connect the motor terminals to the test
lamp & check whether the motor is rotating or not. If faulty repair or
replace it.
b. If we observe any abnormal noise problem from the motor then check for
its bearing if require change it. Do proper lubrication for motor.

 Testing of defrost heater-

a. Place the heater on the heat insulating platform like concrete block.
b. Connect the supply test lamp terminals to the heater. The lamp should
blows for little amount.
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c. Now remove the supply and scene for the heat surface of the heater by
simply touching it. If found faulty replace it.

 Testing of Thermal fuse-

a. The operating temperature of the thermal fuse is 700 C.
b. Now connect the multi meter/ supply test lamp to the fuse terminals, if it
shows continuity or lamp blows then it is in ok condition. If not then
replace it.

 Testing of Bi-metal-
a. There are two operating temperatures of the bi- metal cut in (-50 C) &
Cut out (100 C).
b. At normal atmospheric condition as the temperature is more than 100 C,
hence the bi metal is at cut off state. If we connect the supply lamp to this
then it should not blows that means the bimetal is in properly working.
c. Now take a mixture of ice and salt in the pot and deep the bimetal in it.
Provide the supply to the bimetal using test lamp.
d. Wait for some time if the lamp blows coz of cut in state, then the bi metal
is ok. If such not happens the change it with one.

 Testing of timer motor-

a. In timer, there is a motor between terminal 3 & 1, terminal 1 & 4 is
normally close (NC) contact while terminal 1 & 2 is normally open (NO)
contact.
b. Now by using the test lamp check for the above conditions. If found not
ok then timer is faulty hence replace it.

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c. Now in order to check the defrost cycle, simply rotate the advancing
screw until we heard a tick sound. Now check the continuity at terminals
1 & 4 it should be NO and check between terminals 1 & 2 it should
shows NC contact. If such exists then the timer motor is ok, if not then
replace it.

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