Refrigerators are used by everyone in all parts of the country. They are a machine made of many parts and components. The refrigeration system is typically strong, durable and long lasting. There are five prime elements of refrigeration. They include the compressor, condenser coils, evaporator coils, expansion device, and fluid refrigerant. They all work together to keep your items chilled at the perfect temperature. Following is a brief overview of how a refrigeration system works.
The Steps of a Refrigeration System
1. Located in the back of the refrigeration unit, the liquid coolant goes into an expansion device where there is a drop in pressure as it passes through. This drop causes the coolant to expand and drop in temperature.
2. The coolant travels around the chiller cabinet. This is where your food and items are kept. The coolant flows through pipes, taking in any heat or warmth that is given off by the items inside the cabinet.
3. The compressor, which controls the flow of the coolant, applies pressure causing a spike in temperature and turning it into a highly pressurized gas. The coolant then travels through the radiator pipes and releases heat, which causes it to go back to liquid form.
4. The liquid coolant travels back through the chilling cabinet and back to the expansion valve to repeat the process.
Commercial and industrial refrigeration in California and other areas work using this general process. The manner is on a larger scale than a smaller or residential refrigeration system.
Maintaining a constant temperature inside the cabinet is done by a thermocouple, it works like a thermometer and can detect the preferred coldness of the refrigerator. When that temperature is reached, the thermocouple shuts down the electricity that goes to the compressor. If the chiller cabinet is not air tight, the interior will gradually warm up and the thermocouple will turn the electricity back on to the compressor again.