How a Freezer/Fridge works

Fridge & Freezer

Fridge

A fridge, also known as a refrigerator, is an electrical appliance used for storing and preserving food and beverages. It works by removing heat from the inside of the unit and releasing it outside, which lowers the temperature inside the fridge.

Most fridges have several compartments and shelves for organizing food, and some models also have additional features such as ice makers and water dispensers. The temperature inside a fridge can be adjusted to suit different types of food, and it is important to store food properly to prevent spoilage and contamination.

Common types of fridges include top-freezer, bottom-freezer, side-by-side, and French door models, and they come in a range of sizes to suit different households and spaces. Some newer models also feature smart technology, allowing users to monitor and control their fridge from a smartphone app.

How a fridge works

A fridge works by removing heat from inside the unit and releasing it outside, which lowers the temperature inside the fridge and helps to keep food and beverages cold and fresh. The main components of a fridge that allow it to function are the compressor, condenser, evaporator, and refrigerant.

The compressor is the part of the fridge that compresses the refrigerant, a fluid that is used to transfer heat. As the refrigerant is compressed, its temperature increases, and it becomes a high-pressure gas. This gas then moves to the condenser, which is located on the back or bottom of the fridge, where it releases the heat that was absorbed in the fridge and turns back into a liquid.

The liquid refrigerant then moves to the evaporator, which is located inside the fridge, and expands through a small valve. As it expands, it cools and absorbs heat from the food and beverages inside the fridge, which lowers their temperature. The refrigerant then becomes a low-pressure gas and moves back to the compressor to start the cycle over again.

To regulate the temperature inside the fridge, a thermostat is used to control how long the compressor runs and how much refrigerant is circulated. The temperature inside the fridge can be adjusted by changing the thermostat setting.

Overall, a fridge works by using the principles of thermodynamics to remove heat from inside the unit and release it outside, which helps to keep food and beverages cold and fresh.

Freezer 

A freezer is an electrical appliance used for freezing and storing food and beverages at a temperature below 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). Like a fridge, it works by removing heat from the inside of the unit and releasing it outside.

Freezers come in a range of sizes and styles, with some being standalone units and others being combined with a fridge. They typically have shelves or compartments for organizing food, and some models have additional features such as ice makers and automatic defrosting.

Common types of freezers include chest freezers, which have a large, open top and are ideal for storing large items like cuts of meat, and upright freezers, which have a vertical design and are easier to organize but have less storage space per square foot. Some newer models of freezers also feature smart technology, allowing users to monitor and control their freezer from a smartphone app.

Freezers are useful for preserving food for longer periods of time, and they are often used to store items like frozen fruits and vegetables, meat, fish, and ice cream. It is important to store food properly in the freezer to prevent freezer burn and ensure that it stays fresh.

How a freezer works

A freezer works using the same principles as a fridge, but it operates at a lower temperature to freeze food and beverages. The key components of a freezer are the compressor, condenser, evaporator, and refrigerant.

The compressor in a freezer works in the same way as in a fridge, by compressing the refrigerant, a fluid that is used to transfer heat. The refrigerant then moves to the condenser, which is located on the back or bottom of the freezer, where it releases heat and turns back into a liquid.

The liquid refrigerant then moves to the evaporator, which is located inside the freezer, and expands through a small valve. As it expands, it cools and absorbs heat from the food and beverages inside the freezer, which lowers their temperature and freezes them. The refrigerant then becomes a low-pressure gas and moves back to the compressor to start the cycle over again.

To regulate the temperature inside the freezer, a thermostat is used to control how long the compressor runs and how much refrigerant is circulated. The temperature inside the freezer can be adjusted by changing the thermostat setting, with typical settings ranging from around -18°C to -24°C (-0.4°F to -11.2°F).

Overall, a freezer works by using the principles of thermodynamics to remove heat from inside the unit and release it outside, which helps to freeze and preserve food and beverages.

How you can troubleshoot your submersible water pump

submersible water pump

When your submersible pump stops working, don’t just rush to call the technician for repairs. There are still some troubleshooting you can do yourself and save some costs.

Your submersible water pump should come fitted with a control box. Inside the control box is fitted a circuit breaker and capacitor.

control box of submersible water pump

The first thing you can do yourself if your pump doesn’t work is to open up its control box and check if the capacitor isn’t blown. In most cases this is usually the case. If it applies to you just replace the capacitor with  an original one of the same type.

Sometimes it might be the circuit breaker that is faulty, you can replace that yourself too as well. 

If it’s not possible to change only the faulty capacitor or circuit breaker, just change the whole control box.

If after changing the control box, the pump still doesn’t work or trips off after a while, then the  problem might be with the pump itself. Get a technician to service it. 

If the coil of the water pump has burnt, then it is advisable to buy a new one rather than repairing it.

How You Can Repair Your Faulty Electrical Appliance Yourself

Repair tools

I don’t advise that you fix your faulty electrical appliance yourself if you are not a professional at it. However if you still want to fix it yourself, follow the guidelines stated below.

  1. Consult your warranty if it still remains in force or valid. You will render your warranty void if you attempt repairs yourself unless you don’t mind.
  2. First try a simple solution to see if it would fix the problem before going complex.
  3. Take safety precautions before you begin working in the appliance. Cut off electricity or water or both to the appliance before working on it.
  4. Be systemic, understand how the system works and how the individual parts work. Identify those parts that are working well and those that don’t. Work on the parts that don’t work. Read all the repair instructions if any.Take a good look of how the individual parts are arranged and coupled together.
  5. Make sure you have the correct tools to open up and repair the appliance.
  6. Know your limitations. If you feel you cannot undertake the repair yourself then call the manufacturer or a qualified service personnel.