How does a refrigerator work?

Refrigerator is a simple machine, despite its high cost. It’s good to understand how it works and how it keeps our food cold. Because this way you will know how to use it properly and you’ll be able to identify a problem with your fridge faster.

Let us look at 5 main fridge’s components:

1. 1. It’s the heart of a fridge. The compressor is responsible for the circulation of the refrigerant and it works as a pump for substances movement.
   2. Evaporator. The refrigerant is boiling inside the evaporator and when refrigerant transforms from a liquid into a gas due to evaporation process, it decreases the temperature inside the fridge.
   3. It’s a place where the refrigerant transforms from a gas back into a liquid, causing heat release during this process.
   4. Capillary tube. It’s an expansion device. Capillary tube is located in between a condenser and evaporator. It used to control pressure in the refrigerator.
   5. Refrigerant

So, how does the refrigerator work? Modern fridges with compressors function in the following way.

1. The compressor turns on.
2. Compressor sucks out the refrigerant in a gas form from the evaporator.
3. Inside a compressor the refrigerant is compressed to a higher pressure and its being injected into the condenser. During this condensation process the heat dissipates into the environment.
4. Due to high pressure the refrigerant goes to the evaporator through a capillary tube, in order to decrease high pressure.
5. Liquid refrigerant inside the evaporator absorbs the heat from the inside and transforms into a gas.
6. Compressor pumps out the refrigerant again and the cycle starts all over again.

Text prepared by appliancerepairinpittsburgh.com service center.