Equipment owners Pozis often face a situation where the usual hum of the compressor is replaced or supplemented by extraneous sounds. The clicking sounds can be barely noticeable or distinctly loud and alarming in their regularity. For many users, this becomes a reason for panic, as there is a fear of sudden damage to products and expensive repairs.
However, knocking does not always mean a critical breakdown. Modern equipment, including models of the series World or Rion, is equipped with many components that can make sounds during normal operation. Understanding the physical nature of these processes helps to distinguish normal from malfunction and save time on calling a technician.
In this article we will analyze in detail the mechanics of work refrigeration equipment, analyze the causes of sound signals and determine in which cases immediate intervention is required. It is important to correctly diagnose the source of noise, since further tactics of action depend on this.
Physics of the process: standard sounds of a working unit
The first thing to start diagnosing is the exclusion of natural processes. Any compressor is a complex electromechanical mechanism that experiences loads at the moment of starting or stopping. At this moment, a sharp change in pressure and movement of the piston group occurs inside the motor housing.
Often users hear a single or double click immediately after the refrigerator has gone silent or, conversely, started to hum. This is triggered starting relaywhich supplies current to the motor windings. The sound can be quite loud, especially in the silence of the night, but it is standard for most models.
In addition electrical components, sounds can also be produced by physical materials. The plastic of the inner case and metal shelves expand or contract under the influence of temperature changes. This process is called temperature deformation and is typical for chambers where the temperature difference is significant.
- 🔊 A short click at the moment the motor starts indicates the operation of the start relay.
- ❄️ Cracking or crackling of the chamber walls is caused by the expansion of plastic during cooling.
- 💧 Gurgling or clicking in the tubes may be associated with the refrigerant flow through the system.
- ⚙️ Mechanical knocking is sometimes produced by the compressor itself when operating at high speeds.
It is worth considering that new models just delivered from the store can “grind in.” In the first weeks of operation refrigeration unit works in intensive mode, setting the temperature regime, so sounds may be more frequent.
Thermoregulator as a source of periodic clicks
If you hear a distinct click, after which the refrigerator either turns on or turns off, then with a high degree of probability the sound source is thermostat. This device is responsible for maintaining the set temperature inside the chambers by opening and closing the electrical circuit.
Inside the thermostat there is a sensitive membrane that reacts to changes in the temperature of the evaporator. When the temperature reaches the lower limit, the membrane contracts and mechanically opens the contacts, which is accompanied by a characteristic sound. A similar process occurs when heating.
⚠️ Attention: If the thermostat clicks begin to occur too often (every 2-3 minutes), and the food in the chamber does not have time to freeze or, on the contrary, freezes, this is a signal of a sensor malfunction or a freon leak.
In models with electronic control instead of mechanical The click may sound like a quiet click of an electronic relay, but the principle remains the same. The electronics reads the sensor readings and gives a command to start or stop the compressor.
How to check the thermostat without instruments?
Try to temporarily unplug the refrigerator, defrost it completely (24 hours), and then turn it on. If the frequency of clicks returns to normal, the sensor may be stuck due to moisture or ice.
Sometimes the problem lies not in the device itself, but in its capillary tube. If it is pinched or displaced, the temperature readings will be incorrect, which will lead to chaotic switching on and off, accompanied by constant clicks.
Problems with the start-up relay and compressor
The most alarming symptom is a series of frequent clicks, following each other, after which the motor hums for several seconds and again falls silent. This picture indicates that starting relay is trying to start the engine, but cannot do this, and the thermal protection is triggered.
The reasons for this behavior may be different. Most often, the starting relay itself fails, the contacts inside of which burn out or stick. In this case, the device requires replacement, since constant attempts to start can burn the compressor windings.
Another, more serious reason is an interturn short circuit in the motor windings or jamming of the piston group. In this case, the motor hums, but does not start, making loud protection clicks. It is strictly forbidden to operate the equipment in this mode.
| Sound type | Frequency | Probable cause | Need for repair |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single click | Rarely (cycle) | Normal operation of the thermostat | Not required |
| Series of clicks | Frequently (every 5 minutes) | Relay malfunction or motor | Diagnostics required |
| Plastic cracking | Periodically | Thermal expansion | Not required |
| Loud knocking | During operation | Wear of compressor parts | Replacement required |
To accurately diagnose the condition electric motor often requires measuring the resistance of the windings using multimeter. If the resistance values are outside the normal limits specified in the technical documentation, the compressor is considered faulty.
The influence of the No Frost and defrosting system
Owners of refrigerators Pozis with the system No Frost may encounter specific sounds associated with the automatic defrost cycle. In these models, clicks often accompany the operation of the defrost timer or the switching of dampers.
When the refrigerator enters defrost mode, a special valve or damper may block the flow of cold air, which is accompanied by a mechanical click. Also, a sound can be made by a heating element (heating element) when heating or cooling begins.
Sometimes clicks occur due to ice freezing on the fan. If the water drainage system is clogged, moisture freezes on the blades, and when rotating, the fan touches the ice crust, making a cracking or knocking noise. This requires defrosting and cleaning the drainage channel.
It is important to monitor the condition of the evaporator in models with No Frost. If clicking sounds are accompanied by a decrease in cooling efficiency, the defrost sensor may have failed and the system cannot correctly complete the defrosting cycle.
Mechanical reasons and incorrect installation
The source of the sound does not always lie inside the “filling” of the refrigerator. Often, extraneous noise occurs due to external factors, such as improper installation or contact of the case with foreign objects.
Check whether the back wall of the refrigerator is touching the heating pipe or wall. Vibration from a running compressor is transmitted to the housing, and upon contact with a hard surface, a rattling or rhythmic knocking occurs. It is also worth checking the stability of the equipment on the floor.
- 🔍 Inspect the space behind the refrigerator for foreign objects.
- 📏 Check the gap between the back wall and the wall of the room (minimum 5 cm).
- 🔩 Make sure all shipping bolts and fasteners have been removed.
- 🧱 Check the levelness of the floor using a building level.
If the refrigerator is not level, the compressor may operate with increased vibration. Adjustable feet help level the cabinet and reduce noise. Sometimes it is enough to tighten the front supports so that the equipment stands stable.
⚠️ Attention: Before checking the installation, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Working with electrical appliances requires compliance with safety rules.
It is also worth checking whether the shelves or bottles next to the refrigerator are vibrating. Sometimes the sound resonates through the floor and is transmitted to other objects in the kitchen, creating the illusion that the unit itself is clicking.
Algorithm for self-diagnosis of a fault
Before calling a technician, you can carry out a number of simple steps that will help localize the problem. This will allow you to more accurately describe the symptom to a specialist, or perhaps solve the problem yourself.
Start with a visual and auditory examination. Open the door and listen. If clicking sounds come from inside the camera, it is most likely the thermostat or plastic. If the sound comes from behind, the problem is in the compressor or relay.
☑️ Primary diagnosis
Try to lightly press the case in different places during operation. If the nature of the sound changes, it means that there is vibration of the panels somewhere. You can also gently (with caution) touch the rear grille - if it is hot and there are no clicks, the operating cycle may be normal.
If after defrosting and checking the installation the problem persists and the clicking becomes more frequent or louder, it is recommended to contact a service center. Long-term operation of a faulty compressor can lead to its complete failure.
Frequently asked questions and answers (FAQ)
Why does the refrigerator click but does not freeze?
Most likely, the compressor or start relay has failed. The engine tries to start (clicks) but does not rev up, so the coolant is not circulating. Replacement of faulty parts is required.
Is it normal for a new refrigerator to click in the first days?
Yes, this is normal. Grinding of parts, adjustment of temperature conditions and thermal expansion of materials takes place. If the clicks are not accompanied by a refusal to operate, there is no need to worry.
Is it possible to continue using the refrigerator if it clicks frequently?
If the clicks are frequent and the motor does not start or runs jerkily - no. This may cause the windings to burn out. If these are rare sounds of the thermostat, operation is possible.
How to distinguish a thermostat click from a relay click?
The thermostat click usually precedes the start or stop of the motor and is heard inside the chamber. The relay click is heard from behind, in the area of the compressor, and often sounds sharper and more electric.