Understanding what the parts of the refrigerator are called is the foundation for competent operation and independent troubleshooting of minor malfunctions of household appliances. When terms like “condenser”, “receiver” or “drying filter” are mentioned in instructions or on repair forums, the average user is often lost, not knowing exactly where these elements are located and what they are responsible for. Knowing the anatomy of your unit allows you to quickly diagnose the problem: understand why the motor is humming, where water accumulates, or why the top shelf is not freezing.
A modern refrigerator is a complex thermodynamic system, consisting of many interconnected components, each of which performs a strictly defined function. Working bodycirculating in a closed circuit, changes its state of aggregation, absorbing heat from the inner chamber and releasing it to the environment. Without a clear idea of how the main components are arranged, it is impossible to properly care for the equipment, carry out defrosting, or explain to the technician the essence of the breakdown over the phone.
In this article we will analyze in detail what the external and internal parts of the refrigeration cabinet are called, and also look “under the hood” of the technical part. We will look at the path of the refrigerant, the functions of electrical elements and the design features of various types of cooling. This information It will be useful for owners of any models, from classic two-chamber devices to modern Side-by-Side systems.
External structural elements of the case
Let's start getting acquainted with what is visible to the naked eye. The refrigerator body is not just a beautiful shell, but a multilayer structure that provides thermal insulation and protection of internal mechanisms. The base is metal casingwhich is often coated with enamel or special polymer compounds that are resistant to scratches and grease stains. Between the outer wall and the inner plastic box there is a layer of thermal insulation, usually made of polyurethane foam, which prevents the penetration of heat from the outside.
The most important element of the external structure is the doors. They are equipped with sealing cuffs (rubber bands) that ensure a tight fit.
⚠️ Attention: Regularly check the condition of the seal on the doors. If the rubber is cracked or has lost its elasticity, the seal is broken, which leads to ice freezing and increased load on the compressor.The doors also have balcony shelves, opening limiters and, in many models, control displays or indicators.
- 🏠 Case part: External metal frame, painted or coated with stainless steel, protecting the insulation.
- 🚪 Door block: Complex design with a multilayer structure, including an internal plastic panel and external metal casing.
- 🧊 Freezer compartment: A compartment where the temperature is maintained at about -18°C and below, often equipped with a separate evaporator.
At the bottom of the refrigerator cabinet there is usually a base or decorative panel, behind which the adjustment supports are hidden. These supports allow you to set the unit strictly at level, which is critical for the proper operation of the self-closing door system. Some models also have decorative overlays on the handles or hidden hinges, which are part of the external design, but require special attention when disassembling.
Internal filling of the refrigerator compartment
Looking inside the main compartment, we see the space where food is stored at temperatures from 0 to +5°C. Here it is important to distinguish between static elements and cooling system components. The main space is occupied by shelves made of tempered glass or grids. However, from a technical point of view, we are interested in hidden details. In refrigerators with a system No Frost the evaporator is hidden in the back wall, and the air is pumped by a special fan through the ducts.
In classic models with a drip system, you can see a ribbed surface on the back wall - this is Plate evaporatorcovered by a decorative panel. At the bottom of the chamber, often under the vegetable boxes, there is a gutter for draining melt water, which is connected to a drainage hole. Drainage system is a critical element that prevents the formation of puddles inside the chamber. If it becomes clogged with crumbs or ice, water begins to drain onto the kitchen floor.
Drawers for vegetables and fruits, often called “freshness zones,” deserve special attention. They can be equipped with special humidity regulators.
⚠️ Attention: Do not store vegetables and fruits in open bags near the drainage hole. Small debris can get into the drain and cause a blockage that will have to be cleared manually.Temperature sensors can also be located inside, which transmit data to the electronic control module.
- 🥦 Fresh zone: Special compartment with independent temperature and humidity control for long-term storage of products.
- 💧 Drainage chute: Groove at the bottom of the chamber for collecting condensate and discharging it into the system evaporation.
- 🌡️ Sensors and sensors: Electronic components that control temperature conditions and transmit signals to the control unit.
Anatomy of the freezer compartment
The freezer, whether it is located at the top, bottom or side (in Side-by-Side models), has its own design features. This is where intensive ice formation occurs if the system is not equipped with automatic defrosting. In systems No Frost the freezer does not have a visible evaporator - it is hidden behind a plastic panel on the back wall. The air here is forced to circulate, so the products can air out faster, which requires the use of sealed containers.
The key elements of the freezer are freezer shelves or drawers. Some models have a Super Freeze function, which activates the compressor at maximum power. A separate button and a corresponding algorithm in the electronic module are responsible for this function. In mechanical refrigerators, a thermostat may be responsible for this, which forcibly turns on the motor, ignoring standard shutdown cycles.
It is important to understand the difference between static cooling and dynamic. In static conditions, cold air falls down, creating a temperature gradient, while in dynamics (No Frost) the fan mixes the air masses, equalizing the temperature throughout the entire volume. This affects how the internal parts are called and operate: in one case, natural convection is important, in the other, the cleanliness of the air channels and the operation of the fan.
Why does an ice coat freeze in the freezer?
An ice coat is formed due to a violation chamber tightness. Warm, moist air from the kitchen enters, and the moisture it contains instantly freezes on cold surfaces. The second reason is a malfunction of the defrost system, when the melted water does not have time to evaporate and freezes again.
Technical compartment: compressor and condenser
Now let's move on to the “heart” of the refrigerator. Usually these parts are hidden in a niche on the rear wall at the bottom of the unit. The main character here is compressor (often mistakenly called the motor). It is a sealed electric motor that compresses the refrigerant, turning it from gas to liquid under high pressure and temperature. It is the compressor that produces a characteristic hum when operating. Modern inverter compressors are quieter and more economical than their old linear counterparts.
Immediately behind the compressor there is a lattice structure - this condenser. In older models this was a black grille at the back, in modern models there are often hidden tubes foamed into the side walls of the case, or a thin grille attached to the rear panel. The function of a condenser is to cool the compressed refrigerant and its transition from a gaseous state to a liquid state, releasing heat. Therefore, the sides and back wall of a working refrigerator may be hot - this is a normal physical process.
Next to the compressor you can see a small metal tank - this receiver (or filter drier). It is necessary to clean the refrigerant from moisture and mechanical impurities, as well as to create a supply of liquid freon. The filter drier is a disposable element: whenever the circuit is opened for repair, it must be replaced, since it instantly absorbs moisture from the air, which can lead to the formation of an ice plug in the system.
| Component | Main function | Temperature during operation | Material of execution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compressor | Compression and pumping of refrigerant | High (up to 90°C) | Steel, copper, aluminum |
| Condenser | Gas cooling and condensation | Warm/Hot | Coated steel, aluminum |
| Evaporator | Refrigerant boiling and heat extraction | Very low (up to -30°C) | Aluminium, copper |
| Capillary tube | Throttling (pressure reduction) | Low | Copper |
Hidden elements of the No Frost system
In refrigerators with the “No Frost” system, important components are added that are not present in classic models. The first of them is fan (plywood), located in the freezer. It drives cold air from a hidden evaporator through channels into the refrigerator compartment and back. If you hear extraneous noise or crackling, most likely the problem is in the fan bearings or ice freezing on its blades.
The second critical element is Defrost heating element (heating element). Since the evaporator in the No Frost system is hidden in a plastic box and is intensively overgrown with frost due to constant air circulation, it must be defrosted periodically. The heating element turns on on a timer several times a day, melting the ice. The water flows into the pan located above the compressor, where it evaporates from the heat of the running motor.
☑️ Diagnostics of the No Frost system
Also present in this system defrost sensors (defrosters). They monitor the temperature of the evaporator and instruct the electronics to turn off the heating element when all the ice has melted, so as not to overheat the system. The malfunction of these sensors is a common reason that the refrigerator stops freezing or, conversely, the freezer turns into an ice monolith that blocks the fan.
Electrical circuit and controls
All processes described above are controlled by electronic control module (board). In modern models, this is a complex device with a microprocessor that reads the readings of many sensors and controls the compressor, fans, heating elements and lighting lamps. In old refrigerators, the role of the “brain” was played by a mechanical thermostat - a simple device that opens the electrical circuit when the set temperature is reached.
In the compressor power circuit it is often installed starting relay i thermal relay (protection). The starting relay helps the engine gain speed at start, and the thermal relay turns off the power if the motor overheats or the current consumption exceeds the norm (for example, when jammed).
⚠️ Attention: If you hear a sound when you try to start the refrigerator a clicking, buzzing sound lasts a few seconds, followed by silence - the start relay or the compressor itself is probably faulty. Operation in this mode can finish off the motor.
The lighting lamp, although it seems like a small thing, is also part of the electrical circuit. In some models it is turned on by a magnetic reed switch (door opening sensor), in others - by a mechanical switch on which the door presses. Reed switch is a more reliable element, since it does not have rubbing parts that could oxidize or stick.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the name of the tube through which freon flows?
This tube system is called coolant pipe or refrigeration circuit. It consists of a discharge tube (compressor outlet), a condenser coil, a capillary tube (where the sudden pressure drop occurs) and the evaporator tubes. All of them are connected into a sealed system.
Why is the back wall of the refrigerator inside wet?
This is a normal phenomenon for refrigerators with drip system defrosting. Moisture condenses on the cold rear wall (where the evaporator is hidden), collects in drops and flows into the drainage hole. If the water does not drain, it means that the drainage channel is clogged.
What is an inverter compressor?
This is a type of compressor that can smoothly change the power of its operation, and not just turn on and off at full power, like a regular one. This allows you to more accurately maintain the temperature, operate more quietly and save energy. Such motors are often called linear or digital.
Where is the filter in the refrigerator?
In the context of the cooling system we are talking about filter-drierwhich is located in the technical compartment (bottom rear) next to the compressor. This is a metal cylinder inserted into a copper tube. In water purification systems (if there is a dispenser), the filters are located inside the refrigeration chamber or in the base.