Refrigerator nameplate: what is it, where is it located and how to photograph it correctly

Have you ever tried to find a spare part for a refrigerator or call a technician, but didn’t know exactly what to name the model? Or maybe they were selling household appliances, and the buyer asked to confirm the year of manufacture? In all these cases, a small metal or paper plate with technical data comes to the rescue. It is also called refrigerator nameplate - a small metal or paper plate with technical data. She is also called nameplate, information sticker or type nameplate.

Many users are not even aware of it existence until they are faced with the need for repair, warranty service or disposal. Meanwhile, the nameplate contains unique information, which cannot be found in the instructions or on the device body. This is a kind of “passport” of the refrigerator, where data about the manufacturer, power, climate class and even the refrigerant are encrypted. Without this information, it is almost impossible to select a compressor, thermostat or seal.

In this article we will look at where exactly to look for the nameplate on refrigerators of different brands, how to photograph it correctly (so that the data is readable), and what the mysterious letters and numbers mean. And you will also find out why Some service centers refuse to work without a photo of the nameplate —and how to avoid it.

What is a refrigerator nameplate and why is it needed

Nameplate (from German. Schild — “shield, plate”) is a factory marking that is attached to the refrigerator body at the production stage. It performs several key functions:

• 🔧 Model identification —the exact article by which spare parts and accessories are selected.
• ⚡ Technical characteristics —power, voltage, energy consumption class.
• 📅 Date of issue —needed for warranty repairs or wear assessment.
• ♻️ Environmental data —type of refrigerant and recycling requirements.

Without a nameplate, the master will not be able to:

• 🔍 Find an analogue of a broken compressor (even if externally they look the same, internal parameters may differ).
• ⚠️ Ensure compatibility of electronic boards (for example, for No Frost or Low Frost systems).
• 📑 Issue a warranty card (some service centers require a photo of the nameplate for confirmation originality of equipment).

By the way, nameplates are of two types:

1. Metal - more often found on older models (ZIL, Minsk, Snaige Soviet period). They are fastened with rivets or screws.
2. Self-adhesive - modern stickers on refrigerators Samsung, LG, Indesit. Over time, they may peel off or fade.

⚠️ Attention: If the nameplate is damaged or missing, you can restore the data using the serial number (it is sometimes duplicated on the inside of the door or in documents). But this does not work for all brands - for example, Bosch and Liebherr encrypt information more difficult.

Where the nameplate is located on the refrigerator: 5 typical places

Manufacturers do not adhere to a single standard for placement signs. The location depends on the brand, year of manufacture and even the design of the model. Here's where you should look first:

If you do not find the label in these places, check:

• 🔦 Under the plastic plugs (for example, on the legs of the refrigerator Whirlpool).
• 📦 Inside the packaging drawer - sometimes the sticker is duplicated on the box.
• 📄 In the documents —in the passport or warranty card there may be a photo of the nameplate.

On some models (for example, Samsung RB30J3000WW) the nameplate is hidden so cleverly that what you have to do remove the back cover. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to call a specialist - he will know where to look and will not damage the equipment.

⚠️ Attention: On refrigerators with the system No Frost the nameplate may be located behind the inner panel of the freezer. Do not try. remove it yourself - you risk damaging the heating elements!

How to properly photograph a nameplate for a technician or service

It would seem that it is difficult - point the camera and click. 80% of the photos of nameplates that clients send are unsuitable for work. errors:

• 📸 Blurriness —the text is not readable due to shaking hands or poor lighting.
• 🌑 Shadows or highlights —sunlight or flash “clogs” inscriptions.
• 📏 Incomplete frame —the outer digits of the serial number or model are cut off.
• 🔄 Inverted image —the master spends time rotating the photo.

To get the perfect shot, follow these instructions:

Make sure there is no dust or condensation on the sign

Use a flashlight for illumination (not a flash!)

Keep the camera parallel to the surface nameplate

Take several shots from different angles

Check that all symbols are clear and readable-->

If the nameplate is located in an inconvenient place (for example, under the refrigerator), use macro mode on a smartphone or special applications for scanning text, such as Google Lens or CamScanner. They will automatically improve the image quality.

Example correct photo:

Important: if the nameplate is damaged (scratched, partially erased), take a photo of it from different angles - sometimes the text is readable in oblique lighting.

Deciphering the nameplate: what the letters and numbers mean

At first glance, the inscriptions on the nameplate seem to be a chaotic set of symbols, but in reality here. encrypted full technical biography refrigerator. Let's look at the main designations using the example of a typical plate:

Example of a nameplate Indesit BIAA 13:

MODEL NO.: BIAA 13 P
SERIAL NO.: 9876543210
VOLTAGE: 220-240V ~ 50Hz
INPUT POWER: 130W
REFRIGERANT: R600a / 45g
CLIMATE CLASS: SN-T
MADE IN POLAND

• MODEL NO. - exact model refrigerator. The letters indicate the series (BIAA - line Indesit with bottom freezer), the numbers indicate volume and functionality.
• SERIAL NO. —serial number by which you can find out production date (the first digits often encode the year and week).
• VOLTAGE —mains voltage. If your refrigerator is designed for 220-240V, and in the outlet 110V (as in the USA), it will burn out.
• INPUT POWER - power consumption. Important for selecting a voltage stabilizer.
• REFRIGERANT - type of refrigerant. R600a (isobutane) - environmentally friendly, but flammable gas; R134a - older, but safe.
• CLIMATE CLASS - climate class:
  • SN — subnormal (from +10° to +32°).
  • N — normal (from +16° to +32°).
  • ST — subtropical (from +16° to +38°).
  • T — tropical (from +16° to +43°).

1. Samsung RB-30 J3200SA

• MODEL: RB-30 J3200SA/EW - model with the system No Frost.
• SERIAL: 8F5XCRXXF001234 - you can recognize the plant by the first characters (for example, 8F - Poland).
• REFRIGERANT: R-600a (45g) - isobutane, requires caution.

2. Atlant MXM 1705-100