Searching for identification data of household appliances often turns into a real quest, especially when you urgently need to call a technician or order a spare part. Article Number (or PNC - Product Number Code) is a unique a code that tells the manufacturer the exact configuration and modification of your unit, which is critical for the correct selection of parts.
Unlike the serial number, which simply registers a unit of production, it is the serial model number that determines which compressors, control boards and seals are installed inside your refrigerator. Without this code, the probability of an error when ordering spare parts reaches 80%, since externally identical models can have radically different internal structures.
In this article we will analyze in detail all the possible locations of marking plates for various brands, explain the difference between a commercial article number and a serial number, and also tell you what to do if the factory the sticker was lost or damaged by time.
The difference between the article, serial number and PNC
Before you go looking for the tag, you need to clearly understand what data you need. Many users confuse serial number (S/N) with the model number, which leads to delays in service. The serial number is a unique identifier of a specific instance, its “passport”, which is used to guarantee and track the date of issue.
At the same time, article number or PNC (Product Number Code) indicates the type of device. For example, two refrigerators may have the same serial number in order, but different PNCs, if one is white with a right-hand opening door and the other is silver with a left-hand opening. It is PNC that determines the compatibility of spare parts.
⚠️ Attention: Never give sellers only the serial number unless they specify what exactly they need. To order spare parts, you need exactly the model number or PNC.
The commercial part number that you saw on the price tag in a store (for example, in an online electronics store) may differ from the factory code. The store SKU is the retailer's internal code for inventory control, while service departments need the manufacturer's factory code.
Main locations of marking plates
Manufacturers of household appliances are guided by general ergonomic standards, but each brand chooses its own preferred areas for placing a nameplate with technical information. Most often, the plate is a white or white sticker with black text, less often a stamp stamped on metal.
The most common place is the inner wall of the refrigerator compartment. It is usually located on the left or right side wall, approximately at eye level or slightly below. If you don’t see it right away, try shining a flashlight, as over the years of operation, the sticker may have been worn out by food or condensation.
- 📍 The inner left or right wall of the refrigerator compartment (the most common place).
- 📍 The lower part of the inner wall, closer to the vegetable storage area.
- 📍 At the end of the refrigerator door (less common, mainly in built-in appliances).
- 📍 The back wall of the refrigerator (outer side), next to the compressor.
If there is no sign inside the chamber, the next step is to inspect the back wall of the unit. To do this, you often have to move the refrigerator away from the wall. There, in the area of the motor-compressor, a metal plate or sticker is usually attached, containing all the necessary technical data.
Specifics of searching by brand: where to look for popular models
Different manufacturers have their own “favorite” places to place markings. Knowing these nuances will help you avoid wasting time inspecting the entire refrigerator. Below is a table systematizing data on the main brands on the market.
| Brand | Typical location | Marking features |
|---|---|---|
| LG | Left inner wall | Often designated as Model / PNC |
| Samsung | Left wall inside or back wall | Use MODEL CODE and P/N |
| Bosch / Siemens | Right side wall inside | Look for the "E-Nr" field (this is the article number) |
| Indesit / Ariston | Inside, on the side wall or on the die | Designated as "Mod." or "Model" |
| Electrolux | Inside, on the side wall | Key field - PNC (Product Number Code) |
In equipment Bosch and Siemens it is critically important to find the code E-Nr. It looks like a combination of letters and numbers, for example KGV39VW23R/01. The last numbers after the slash indicate the modification index, which is extremely important when ordering electronics.
Refrigerators Samsung often have two stickers: one inside, the other on the back. There is usually some brief information inside and a full specification on the back. If the internal sticker has worn off, do not be lazy to look behind the unit.
What to do if the sticker inside the chamber is rubbed off by food?
Gently wipe the sticker area with a soft damp cloth with a small amount of dishwashing detergent. Do not use abrasives or sharp objects to avoid damaging the plastic and the sticker itself. If the information has been completely erased, look for a duplicate sticker on the back wall.
How to decipher data on a factory sticker
After you have found the nameplate, you will be presented with a set of alphanumeric codes. It is important to be able to distinguish between them. The sticker always contains the following fields: Model (model), S/N (serial number), PNC (product number), as well as voltage and refrigerant data.
Field Model is a commercial one a name often used in advertising brochures. However, for service engineers, the field PNC or Product Numberis more important. It is this code that contains information about the color of the handles, the type of plastic, the presence of a display, and even the country of assembly of a particular batch.
The serial number (S/N) is usually longer than the rest. It often (but not always) encrypts the production date. For example, for some brands, the first two digits indicate the year, and the next two indicate the week of release. This helps determine the age of the equipment without a receipt.
- 🔍 Model: General name of the series (important for general spare parts like shelves).
- 🔍 PNC / Product No: Full specification (critical for circuit boards, compressors).
- 🔍 S/N: Unique copy number (for warranty).
- 🔍 Ref. Gas: Refrigerant type (important when repairing the cooling system).
⚠️ Attention: When ordering spare parts through an online store, always enter the data in the search field exactly as it is written on the sticker, including spaces and dashes, if the system requires a complete match.
☑️ Check the data before ordering the spare part
What to do if the sticker is lost or unreadable
Situation, when the factory markings are missing or have become completely unusable, this often occurs, especially in rented apartments or when purchasing equipment second-hand. In this case, searching for an article becomes more complicated, but remains possible.
The first step is to search documentation. The instruction manual, warranty card, or store receipt often contains the full serial model number. If the box from the refrigerator has been preserved, then the barcode and model are indicated on the side ends of the package.
If there are no documents, you can try to find information on the unit itself. Sometimes, in addition to the main sticker, the manufacturer puts small stamps or engravings on metal structural elements, for example, on the frame of a freezer. It is also worth examining the technical passport if it was kept separately.
As a last resort, if nothing can be found visually, you will have to resort to more complex methods. For some brands (for example, Electrolux or Zanussi) it is possible to read part of the data from the electronic control board, but this requires disassembling the refrigerator and the presence of special equipment.
Search by appearance and spare parts catalogs
If all methods have been exhausted, the visual identification method remains. You will need to carefully measure the dimensions of the refrigerator, determine the location of the handles, the type of control (mechanical or electronic), the presence of a display and even the shape of the internal plastic elements.
Having this data in hand, you can use spare parts catalogs, which often have a search function by photo or parameters. You select the brand, then the type of refrigerator (single-chamber, double-chamber, Side-by-Side), height, color and location of the freezer.
The system will display a list of possible models. All you have to do is compare images of the internal structure (location of shelves, shape of drawers) with your refrigerator. This method is labor-intensive, but is often the only way out in a situation of complete loss of markings.
Frequent errors when searching and ordering
Many users make typical mistakes that lead to the purchase of incompatible parts. The most common one is confusion between the model of the refrigerator and the model of a specific part. For example, a door handle from Bosch series KGV may not fit the series KGN, although they are almost identical in appearance.
Another mistake is ignoring regional versions. Equipment supplied to Europe may have differences in electrical components and refrigerants from equipment intended for Asian or CIS markets, even if the model has the same name. Therefore, the presence of a letter R or E at the end of the model code can be decisive.
- ❌ Ordering spare parts only by photo without checking the codes.
- ❌ Ignoring the modification index (numbers after the slash or dots).
- ❌ Trying to select an analogue from another brand without checking the dimensions of the fasteners.
Always double-check the codes for matching. If you order a complex electronic board, an error in one digit PNC can lead to the device simply not working or, worse, the compressor failing.
Can I use universal spare parts?
Some parts, such as thermostats, starters or lamps, may be universal. However, fasteners, control boards and seals are almost always unique to a specific model or series.
Where exactly is the article number on Indesit refrigerators?
For most models Indesit the data sticker is located inside the refrigerator compartment on the right or left side wall. Less commonly, it may be located on the inside of the door or on a plate at the top of the chamber. Look for the "Mod." field.
What does the PNC code on an Electrolux refrigerator mean?
PNC (Product Number Code) is a 9-digit code that is the most accurate identifier of your refrigerator. Electrolux. It consists of three groups of numbers (for example, 912 345 678). It is by this code that all spare parts are selected.
Is it possible to restore the article if the sticker has been erased?
Officially, it is impossible to restore a lost serial number. However, knowing the exact name of the model (for example, from the receipt) and the year of manufacture, the master can try to identify the device by design features, but this does not provide a 100% guarantee of compatibility of electronic components.
Why do you need a modification index (numbers after the dot)?
The modification index (for example, /01, /02, /03) indicates the version of the assembly. In newer versions, the manufacturer may have changed the compressor supplier or changed the evaporator design. For mechanical parts this is less critical, but for electronics it is a decisive factor.
Where to look for the article number for built-in refrigerators?
For built-in appliances, access to the back wall is often limited to the kitchen box. Therefore, manufacturers almost always duplicate the sticker with the article number and PNC on the end of the door or on the inner side wall so that the user can read the data without dismantling the furniture.