Designing kitchen units, commercial refrigeration equipment or ventilation systems requires an accurate understanding of technical documentation. Engineers, architects and furniture assemblers are often faced with the need to correctly interpret schematic representations of household appliances. Errors in reading the drawings can lead to the fact that the cabinet for the built-in model will be too narrow, and the communications supply will be made in an inaccessible place. Therefore, the question of how a refrigerator is indicated on the drawings is fundamental for competent work with design documentation.
In Russian and post-Soviet practice, the main regulatory document regulating the execution of drawings is ESKD (Unified System of Design Documentation). It is within the framework of this system that the rules for the graphic representation of objects, their sizes, tolerances and designations are prescribed. For refrigeration equipment, which is a complex unit consisting of a compressor, evaporator and housing, there are specific simplification rules. On general floor plans or furniture arrangement diagrams, detailing of internal components is usually not required, so the method of conventional graphic images is used.
It is important to understand that there is no single symbol, similar to an icon on a smartphone, for a refrigerator. Instead, a combination of geometric shapes, extension lines and alphanumeric codes is used. Engineering graphics requires maximum conciseness, so complex shapes of household appliances are reduced to their dimensional rectangles indicating their functional purpose. Depending on the type of drawing - be it an arrangement plan, an electrical diagram or a schematic diagram of the refrigeration cycle - the designation method will be radically different.
Conventional graphic images on floor plans
When developing architectural plans or furniture arrangement diagrams in residential and commercial premises, refrigerators are depicted as simplified as possible. The main element here is a rectangle, the proportions of which correspond to the top view (plan). If the refrigerator is free-standing, its outline is usually drawn as a solid main line. In the case of built-in appliances, the outline can be made with a thin line or hatching to show that the device is hidden inside the furniture box.
Arc-shaped lines are used to indicate the opening of doors, which is critical for the ergonomics of the kitchen. They show the trajectory of the door leaf. The drawings often indicate which way the door opens - left or right, as this affects the possibility of installing the device in a niche. Overall dimensions they must be placed on extension lines or indicated directly on the plan to eliminate errors when ordering furniture.
⚠️ Attention: When reading plans, pay attention to the scale. The designation of handles or hinges on a scale of 1:100 may not be visible, so you only need to focus on the arc lines of door opening and general dimensions.
Often next to the graphic image there is a serial number of the position, which is deciphered in the equipment specification. The exact model is already indicated there, for example Liebherr or Indesit, and its technical characteristics. This allows you not to clutter the drawing itself with unnecessary text, maintaining its readability.
Alphanumeric codes and specifications according to GOST
In technical documentation, in addition to graphics, alphabetic codes are widely used, which allow you to quickly identify the type of equipment in tables and explanations. According to standards, refrigeration equipment is often coded with abbreviations that are understandable to specialists. In the explications of the premises you can find designations starting with the letter “X” or “SHH”, which stands for “Refrigerator” or “Refrigeration Cabinet”.
For electrical circuits that are part of the documentation for the refrigerator, a letter code is used MK (compressor machine) or separate designations for circuit elements. However, on layout plans, most often a simple text signature or callout with a catalog number is used. It is important to distinguish between the designations for domestic and industrial refrigeration chambers, since their codes in the specifications may differ.
Below is a table with common designations that can be found in the accompanying documentation and on diagrams:
| Designation on the diagram | Decoding | Equipment type |
|---|---|---|
| X | Refrigerator | Household |
| SH | Refrigeration cabinet | Commercial/Industrial |
| HK | Refrigerator | Industrial |
| M | Freezer | Household/Industrial |
The use of such codes allows you to unify the documentation and makes it understandable for specialists of different profiles, from electricians to interior designers. When working with imported equipment, international designations may be encountered, but within the CIS countries, priority is given to GOST.
Designation of elements on circuit diagrams
If you are interested in how a refrigerator is indicated on the drawings from the point of view of its internal structure, then the rules for the design of circuit diagrams come into force here. The refrigeration unit is a closed cycle, and each of its elements has its own unique graphic image. The compressor, which is the heart of the system, is usually depicted as a circle with internal elements symbolizing the piston group or rotor.
Condenser and evaporator on diagrams often appear as zigzag lines or sets of parallel lines, which symbolize the heat exchanger tubes. A temperature expansion valve (TEV) or capillary tube is identified by specific flow restriction symbols. Understanding these symbols is necessary for troubleshooting and repair.
The electrical part is also described in detail. Start relays, thermostats, defrost sensors and lighting lamps have their own standard designations. For example, thermostat contacts may be depicted as an open or closed line with a temperature mark. This allows the technician to understand the logic of the automation without opening the case.
When reading such diagrams, it is important to follow the direction of refrigerant flows, which are often indicated by arrows. An erroneous understanding of the direction of movement of freon can lead to incorrect diagnosis of the system. For accurate reading, it is recommended to use complete albums of ESKD symbols.
Specifics of built-in appliances in the drawings
Built-in refrigerators in the drawings have their own specifics, since they are part of a furniture ensemble. On kitchen plans they are often indicated within the outline of the kitchen cabinet. The boundaries of the refrigerator itself may be shown as a thin dashed line, while the outer walls of the furniture are shown as a bold solid line. This visually separates the equipment from the structure.
A critical element in the drawing of built-in equipment is the indication of ventilation zones. The refrigerator generates heat, and if the drawing does not include ventilation grilles in the base or upper part of the cabinet, the device will quickly fail. Designers be sure to mark these areas with shading or special air flow icons.
☑️ Checking the drawing installations
Also in the drawings of built-in models, attention is paid to the method of fastening the front door. There are systems sliding guides and doors on the doors. On the diagrams, this can be indicated by special callouts or notes, since the depth of the niche and the required overhang of the facade relative to the body depend on this.
⚠️ Attention: Never ignore the dimensions of the ventilation ducts in the drawing built-in refrigerator. Their absence in the project will lead to overheating of the compressor and refusal of warranty service.
Nuances of designating industrial refrigeration chambers
In the commercial sector, where large-volume refrigeration and freezer chambers are used, designations become more complex. Here you can no longer get by with a simple rectangle. The plans of warehouses and stores show the sandwich panels from which the chambers are assembled, indicating their thickness and type of insulation.
Special attention is paid to doorways and vestibules. The drawings must indicate the presence of fenders, thresholds and the type of doors (hinged, sliding). Refrigeration units for such chambers they can be placed outside the premises, on the roof or technical site, which is also reflected in the pipeline connections diagrams.
Industrial systems are typically used pictograms indicating temperature conditions. For example, a colored fill or a letter index (H - low temperature, C - medium temperature). This helps staff quickly navigate the purpose of different areas of the warehouse.
Common mistakes when reading refrigerator drawings
One of the most common mistakes is ignoring the scale. On paper, a refrigerator may look compact, but in reality it takes up significant space, blocking passages. Always double-check the linear dimensions indicated by numbers, rather than visually assessing the dimensions from the drawing.
The second mistake is confusion between the top view and the front view. Inexperienced specialists may mistake the depth of the refrigerator for its width if they do not carefully study the legend of the symbols. This leads to ordering the wrong sizes of furniture niches. Attention to the details and knowledge of projection standards help to avoid such misunderstandings.
Also often forgotten about communications. The drawing may indicate the refrigerator itself, but does not indicate the location for the outlet or water supply (for models with an ice maker). As a result, after installing the furniture, access to the electrical network is blocked.
Questions and answers (FAQ)
Can you use your own designations for the refrigerator on the sketch?
For internal working documentation or preliminary sketches, any designations that you understand are acceptable. However, for official design documentation transferred to the customer or construction team, it is strictly recommended to adhere to the GOST 2.768-88 and ESKD standards in order to avoid misinterpretation.
Where can I find complete tables of conventional graphic images?
Full sets of symbols are contained in state standards, in particular GOST 21.205-93 “Conventional designations of elements of sanitary systems” and GOST 2.724-68 “Conventional graphic designations in diagrams. Refrigeration and ventilation devices."
Is the energy efficiency class of the refrigerator indicated on the drawing?
The energy efficiency class is usually not indicated on the graphic part of the drawing (plans and diagrams). This information is contained in the text part of the project, in the equipment specification or in the product passport, which is referenced in the documentation.
How can you show on the diagram that the refrigerator is a two-chamber one?
This is often not detailed on layout plans. On schematic diagrams or sections, a two-chamber refrigerator can be shown with a dividing partition inside the circuit or two separate heat exchange zones (evaporators), marked with corresponding temperature conditions.