The situation when Atlant refrigerator stops cooling, and the motor hums for several seconds and suddenly stops, is familiar to many owners of this equipment. Most often, the reason for this behavior is the failure of the start-up relay, which is responsible for starting the engine and protecting it from overloads. Replacing this unit on your own is a procedure accessible even to a person with minimal skills in working with electrical equipment, if you strictly follow safety precautions and procedures.
Before starting any manipulations, it is necessary to completely de-energize the unit. Unplug the power cord from the outlet, since working with high-voltage components inside the compressor housing is deadly when presence of voltage. The relay is located in a black casing on the back of the device, usually at the bottom, and is covered with a plastic cover. Removing this cover is the first step to restoring the functionality of your equipment.
In this article we will analyze in detail the process of dismantling the old element, checking its condition and installing a new one. starter mechanism. You will learn how to correctly navigate the contact markings, why it is important to take into account the position of the compressor, and what nuances are typical for different models Atlant. Carefully following the instructions will avoid repeated breakdowns and ensure long service life of the refrigeration equipment.
Fault diagnosis and signs of breakdown
Before disassembling the back panel, you should make sure that the problem lies in the relay, and not in the compressor or thermostat itself. A characteristic sign of a malfunction is the cyclic turning on of the motor: it starts, hums for 3-5 seconds, then a click is heard and the engine stops. After some time, the cycle repeats. If you touch the compressor housing at this point, it may be cold or slightly warm, but not hot, indicating that the operating cycle has not started.
Visual inspection often provides more information than long-term measurements. After removing the protective casing and removing the relay, pay attention to its appearance. If traces of burning, melting of plastic are visible on the body, or a persistent smell of burnt insulation is felt, then start-protective device definitely requires replacement. It is also worth checking the condition of the contacts: oxidation or blackening indicates a poor connection and constant sparking.
⚠️ Attention: If after removing the relay and visual inspection you see that the windings inside the compressor itself are blackened or smell of burnt varnish, you cannot start the unit. This is a sign of an interturn short circuit in the engine, and replacing the relay will not help here - expensive repairs or replacement of the compressor will be required.
Sometimes the problem lies not in the relay itself, but in a jammed compressor piston. To carry out initial diagnostics, you can carefully (with caution!) try to start the motor without a relay by applying voltage directly, but this method is dangerous and requires special knowledge. A safer option is to check the winding resistance with a multimeter. If the resistance between the contacts breaks or is zero, then the problem is deeper than just replacing relay RKT.
Preparation of tools and safety measures
To successfully replace the relay on the refrigerator Atlant you do not need complex professional equipment. A minimum DIY kit is enough. The main requirement is that the tool must be in good working order and have insulated handles to eliminate the risk of electric shock when accidentally touching live parts.
You will need the following tools and materials:
- 🛠️ A screwdriver with a flat or Phillips blade (depending on the type of screws on casing).
- 🔧 Pliers or pliers for fixing wires and removing clamps.
- 🔍 Multimeter (tester) for checking circuit continuity and resistance.
- 🧤 Dielectric gloves (recommended for additional protection).
- 🧹 Rags and alcohol for cleaning contacts from oxides.
Pay special attention to organizing the workplace. The refrigerator must be moved away from the wall, allowing access to the rear panel from all sides. If the floor is concrete or cold, place cardboard or a rug under the unit to make it comfortable to work in the lower tier. Before starting work, make sure that the plug is unplugged from the socket - this is iron rulea violation of which is unacceptable.
It is also important to choose the right relay to replace. There is always a marking on the body of the old element, for example, RTK-1-3, R-412 or 17M2421K1. You need to buy an analogue with identical characteristics, since different compressor models require different thermal protection response currents. Using an unsuitable relay can lead to burnout of the motor windings.
Removing the old starting relay
The process of removing a faulty element begins with removing the protective cover that covers the compressor and relay. It is usually secured with latches or screws. Be careful not to damage the plastic clips, which may become brittle over time. After removing the cover, you will see a view of the compressor with a relay attached to its contact group.
The relay is attached directly to the three terminals of the compressor. To remove it, you need to firmly grasp the relay body and, shaking it from side to side, pull it down. Do not use excessive force to avoid damaging the copper tubes or leads. If the relay has become stuck due to time and temperature, you can slightly warm it with a hairdryer or carefully pry it off with a flat screwdriver, but very carefully.
The next step is to disconnect the wires. Depending on the model Atlant refrigerator, the wires can be attached in different ways:
- 🔌 Detachable terminals (chips) - simply tightened with pliers or by hand.
- 🔩 Screw terminals - necessary loosen the screws with a screwdriver.
- ⚡ Direct soldering - you need to carefully cut the wires, leaving a reserve for connection.
Remember or sketch which wire was connected where. Usually the red or brown wire goes to one contact, and the white or black wire to the other, but it is better to rely on the diagram printed on the compressor cover or the relay itself. After disconnecting the wires, remove the metal retaining clip, if any, and completely remove the relay.
⚠️ Attention: When removing the relay, make sure that dust, moisture or small parts do not get inside the compressor. The holes in the compressor terminals must remain clean, otherwise a short circuit or insulation breakdown may occur.
Connection diagram and installation of a new relay
Installation of a new start-up relay requires precise orientation. On the body of each relay there is an arrow or inscription TOP, UPwhich should look straight up. This is critical because inside the relay there is a moving core that operates under the influence of gravity. If you install the relay upside down or on its side, the mechanism will not work, and the compressor will either not start or will burn out.
The installation process is as follows:
- Push the relay onto the compressor terminals until it stops. It should fit tightly, without backlash.
- Install the metal fixing frame (if provided by the design).
- Connect the power wires according to the previously made diagram or markings on the terminals.
- Check the reliability of the connections: the wires should not dangle or touch hot pipes compressor.
For models Atlant with two compressors, the procedure is repeated similarly for the second motor, if it is the one that is faulty. Please note that the right and left compressor relays may differ in power, so do not confuse them when installing. Marking starter must correspond to the passport data of the motor.
☑️ Check before turning on
If you change the type of relay (for example, install a universal one instead of the original one), carefully study instructions for the new element. Universal models often have a longer ground wire or additional terminals that must be properly insulated. Do not allow parts of the wires to come into contact with the body of the refrigerator.
Compatibility table of relays and compressors
When selecting spare parts, it is important to take into account not only the brand of the refrigerator, but also the series of the installed compressor. Below is a table of correspondence between popular relay models for equipment Atlant and analogues.
| Relay model | Compressor type | Power (W) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTK-1-3 | Single-phase | up to 250 | Standard for old models |
| R-412 | Single-phase | up to 300 | Danifoss analogue, reliable |
| 17M2421K1 | Inverter/Linear | varies | Requires precise selection |
| 35R-205 | Single-phase | up to 200 | Often found in series XM-400 |
Using a relay with an inappropriate current characteristic will lead to unstable operation. If the cutoff current is too low, the relay will trip every time it starts. If it is too high, the thermal protection will not work during overload, which will lead to overheating and melting of the windings. Therefore the markings on the relay must completely match the markings on the compressor nameplate or be its direct analogue according to the interchangeability table.
Is it possible to use a relay from another brand?
Yes, you can use a relay from Danfoss, Indesit or Ariston, if the mounting dimensions, number of contacts and current characteristics match. The main thing is to match the compressor power.
Checking performance and starting
After installing a new element, do not rush to immediately close the back cover. It is necessary to conduct a test run of the system. Plug in the refrigerator and listen carefully. After a few seconds, a characteristic start-up click should be heard, and the compressor will begin to hum evenly. The vibration should be moderate, without knocking or rattling.
Check the heating of the relay housing during operation. It may warm up slightly in the first 10-15 minutes, but should not be so hot that it is impossible to touch. If the relay gets hot, it means that current passes through the thermal protection constantly, which indicates a malfunction of the relay itself or problems with the compressor.
⚠️ Attention: If after replacing the relay the motor hums, but does not start, and after 5-10 seconds it clicks again, immediately turn off the refrigerator from the network. This means that the compressor is jammed or faulty, and further attempts to start will completely kill the engine.
After making sure that it is operating normally, turn off the unit again, let it stand for 5 minutes and put the protective cover back in place. Secure it with screws or latches. The refrigerator is now ready for full use. Complete cooling of the chambers will occur after 1.5-2 hours of operation.
Common mistakes during self-repair
Despite the apparent simplicity, beginners often make mistakes that nullify all efforts. One of the most common is ignoring the relay orientation. Installing the part upside down is guaranteed to result in a startup failure. Always look for the marking TOP or arrow.
Another error is poor contact in the terminals. If you simply inserted the wires, but did not crimp them or did not tighten the screws all the way, the connection area will begin to heat up. Over time, the plastic will melt and the contact will disappear, leading to repeated failure. Use pliers to ensure a tight fit of the terminals.
Also, do not neglect cleaning. Dust or hairs trapped inside the mechanism can impair the mobility of the contacts. Before installing a new relay, blow out the seat on the compressor with compressed air or gently wipe with a dry cloth. Cleanliness of electrical contacts is the key to long service life refrigeration equipment.
Sometimes owners try to repair an old relay by opening it and cleaning the contacts with sandpaper. It is strictly not recommended to do this. The start relay is a disposable item, its calibration is disrupted when opened, and it will not provide proper engine protection. The savings in this case are not justified by the risk of burning out an expensive compressor.
Why does it hum, but does not start after replacement?
You may have mixed up the wires of the starting and operating windings, or the new relay itself is defective. It is also possible that the starting winding inside the engine may break.
Is it possible to start an Atlant refrigerator without a relay?
Technically, you can start the engine by applying voltage directly to the working winding, but this is strictly forbidden in domestic conditions. Without a starting winding and starting torque, the rotor will not turn, and without thermal protection, the compressor will burn out in a matter of minutes. This is an emergency method for diagnostics, and not for operation.
How much does it cost to replace a relay in a service?
The cost consists of the price of the spare part (from 500 to 1500 rubles) and the work of the technician (from 1000 to 2500 rubles). Replacing it yourself saves money since you only pay for the part. However, if you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to call a specialist.
Where can you find the relay markings on the Atlant refrigerator?
The markings are applied to the plastic or ebonite body of the relay itself. To see it, you need to remove the back cover at the bottom of the refrigerator. Also, information about the type of relay required is often duplicated on a sticker with technical information on the refrigerator body or in the instructions.
Why does the new relay click and turn off?
This may indicate three problems: the relay is incorrectly selected (wrong current), the compressor itself is faulty (jamming, breakdown of the windings) or low voltage in the network. If the voltage is normal, most likely the problem is in the motor.
How long does the starting relay last?
The average service life of a high-quality relay is 5-10 years. However, frequent power surges, temperature changes and dust on the rear panel can shorten this period. Regular cleaning of dust from the back of the refrigerator prolongs the life of the electrics.