How To Troubleshoot Your Commercial Refrigerator

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When a commercial refrigerator stops working or starts having problems, time is of the essence. You need to identify the problems and correct them as soon as possible to prevent food from spoiling. Here is how to troubleshoot commercial cooler repairs:

When the Refrigerator Seems Dead

  • Always double check the on/off switch.
  • If the unit is plugged into an outlet on the wall, confirm that the outlet is receiving power; the ground or neutral wire may not be grounded correctly, which could cause a short. 
  • You can also use a voltage detector (non-contact) to locate wires or open connections that are broken.

The Unit Is Freezing Up

  • Check that the evaporator fan is working and rotating properly. This may require that you melt any excess ice from the evaporator beforehand. Also clean the coil and clear the drain line. (If the first section of the evaporator pipe is frozen, you could have a low charge or a restricted metering component).
  • Check the pressure, subcooling, temperatures, and superheat.

The Unit Might Have a Compressor Problem

  • See if the compressor is hot
  • See if the compressor is pulling amperage
  • Listen for a "tink" sound, which could mean it is overloaded
  • Disconnect the compressor terminal wiring and gauge the resistance windings. If a winding is open, then you'll need to replace your compressor. If the compressor is superheated, the internal overload might be open.
  • If the compressor's running with low amp draw, low discharge pressure, and high suction pressure, then it needs to be replaced.
  • Check the condenser fan. Clean the coil if it is dirty and make sure the condenser coil isn't receiving hot air by accident from a nearby appliance. 

The Unit is Running, But it Isn't Keeping the Right Temperature

  • Make sure that the temperatures, superheat, subcooling, and operating pressures are in the correct range.
  • Check the condition of the gaskets. If they are not sealing properly, then they need to be replaced.
  • Check to see if safeties or controls were bypassed
  • Ensure that grills, panels, and enclosures surrounding the coils and fans are correctly positioned and allowing airflow.

When it comes to refrigerators, a number of causes could be responsible when it is broken. If you want to do the repairs or identify the problems yourself, then follow the tips above. However, it is often wise to consult refrigerator repair services if you the repair is out of your ability.

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10 March 2016

Talking About Electric Heating Systems

Hi there, my name is Shelley. Welcome to my site about electric heating systems. Electric heat has recently fallen out of favor due to the efficiency of natural gas systems. Electric heat is still suitable for small buildings that do not need the high temps provided by upgraded systems. I will use this site to explore all of the building types that can benefit from electric heating systems. I will also share information about system components, installations and repairs. I welcome you to come by often to learn more about this exciting topic. Thanks for coming by. See you soon.