Owners of brand household appliances Atlant often face the need to reinstall internal elements after general cleaning or washing the chambers. The situation when you need to replace broken glass or simply return a shelf that was removed for cleaning to its place requires accuracy and understanding of the design. Incorrect installation can lead to the element not fitting into the grooves or, worse, cracking under the weight of the food.
The design of refrigerators of this Belarusian brand has its own characteristics that distinguish it from European or Chinese analogues. Guides can be made in the form of protruding ribs on the inner wall of the chamber or be separate plastic holders. Understanding what type of fastening is used in your model is the first step to successful installation.
In this article we will analyze in detail the process of installing various types of shelves, paying attention to the nuances of working with tempered glass and metal gratings. You will learn how to avoid common mistakes that often lead to hardware failure, and you will be able to safely restore the functionality of your refrigeration unit.
Determining the type of construction and preparation
Before proceeding with physical actions, you must carefully inspect the interior of the refrigeration chamber. Models Atlant can be equipped with shelves of two main types: solid glass surfaces on a plastic frame and lattice metal structures. The method of its installation directly depends on the type of shelf.
Pay attention to the side walls of the chamber. Most modern models use stamped guides, which are part of a metal body. In older or budget series, there may be removable plastic brackets that are inserted into a series of holes. If you are replacing a broken shelf, make sure that the new part fully matches the dimensions of the old one, since even a millimeter difference can interfere with installation.
⚠️ Attention: Before starting work, be sure to disconnect the refrigerator from the power supply. Although installing the shelf does not require direct contact with electrical components, accidental damage to lighting or thermostat wiring by the metal frame may result in a short circuit.
Prepare your work area. If you are installing new glass, unpack it immediately before installation to minimize the risk of accidental impact. Make sure that the chamber is dry and clean - moisture or detergent residue on the rubber shelf seals may cause slipping during installation.
Installing a glass shelf on a plastic frame
Glass shelves in refrigerators Atlant are the most common option. They are a sheet of tempered glass inserted into a durable plastic frame. It is the frame that has special retaining protrusionsthat hold the structure in the grooves of the body.
The installation process begins with the correct orientation of the part. Grasp the shelf by the short sides of the frame with both hands. Plastic framing often has an asymmetry: on one side there may be decorative elements or a logo that should look up and forward. Make sure the shelf is not upside down.
Bring the shelf to the installation level. First, insert the back of the frame into the appropriate slots or onto the back tabs of the guides. Make sure the back edge is flat and snug. Then slowly lower the front part. You should hear a slight click or feel a stop when the front clamps snap into place.
It is important to check the stability of the structure. Press lightly on the center of the shelf - it should not wobble or sag. If you notice a gap between the frame and the wall of the refrigerator, carefully correct the position by slightly lifting the part and lowering it again, making sure it gets into guide rails.
Installation of the lattice shelf and limiters
Metal lattice shelves, often called “shelf-lattices” are installed differently. They do not have a solid plastic frame around the perimeter, but rest on the body with their outer rods or special plastic tips. In refrigerators Atlant such shelves are often used for storing bottles or food in containers that do not require a flat surface.
When installing the grille, it is important to follow the sequence. First, make sure that the side guides in the chamber are free of ice or frost. Insert one end of the grille into the rear slot, then lift the opposite end and slide it into the front latches. Sometimes it may take a little force to get the plastic stopper to “sit” in the recess.
- 🔍 Check the integrity of the plastic tips on the bars of the grille - if they are broken, the metal can scratch the inner surface of the camera.
- 🧊 Make sure that the grille does not block the openings for cold air circulation on the back wall.
- ⚖️ Distribute products evenly to avoid distortion of the structure under load.
Removable limiters, which often come complete with grilles, deserve special attention. They prevent bottles from falling out when opening the door. If your model has such elements, install them in the special holes in the front of the grille frame after the main structure is fixed.
Working with guides and plastic holders
Some models Atlant, especially in freezers or older series of refrigerators, use separate plastic holders (brackets) that are inserted into rows of holes on the side walls. This is the most flexible system that allows you to change the installation height of the shelves.
To install such a system, you will first need to mount the holders themselves. Take the plastic bracket and insert its protruding part into the selected hole on the chamber wall. Apply force until you hear a characteristic click. Fixation It should be rigid: the holder should not wobble or fall out when touched lightly.
After installing all four holders (two on each side at the same level), you can install the shelf. It is critical to maintain horizontality here. If the holders are installed at different heights, the shelf will be skewed, which will create dangerous stress in the material.
| Type of fastening | Shelf material | Installation features | Risk of error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stamping | Glass in a frame | Insertion into ready-made grooves | Distortion and broken glass |
| Removable brackets | Metal grille | Requires precise installation of holders | Instability of the structure |
| Rails | Glass/Plastic | Pull-in along guides | Stuck in slots |
If you find that your old plastic holders are cracked or have lost their elasticity, do not try to reuse them. Brittle plastic becomes even more brittle at low temperatures, and sudden destruction of the holder can lead to food falling and damage to the interior of the chamber.
Nuances of installation in the freezer
The freezer compartment of a refrigerator Atlant has its own characteristics. Here, metal mesh shelves or plastic baskets are more often used, which can also serve as shelves if installed at a certain level. The temperature in this compartment is significantly lower, which affects the properties of the materials.
Plastic becomes less elastic at extremely low temperatures. Therefore, when installing a shelf or basket in the freezer, do not make sudden movements. If you have just taken a part out of a warm room, let it sit for 10-15 minutes so that the temperature is equal to room temperature, but do not take the cold part straight into a warm chamber - condensation may appear, which will instantly freeze and “stick” the shelf.
⚠️ Attention: Never use hot water or a hair dryer to “soften” frozen fasteners in the freezer. A sharp temperature change is guaranteed to lead to cracks in the plastic or even damage to the internal coating of the chamber.
What to do if the shelf does not fit into the freezer due to ice?
If you notice that the shelf does not fit into place due to ice formed on the freezer guides, do not use force. Wait until the refrigerator is completely defrosted. An attempt to “push” a shelf through the ice can lead to chips of the enamel and a violation of the tightness of the contour.
Glass shelves divided into sections are also often found in freezers. When installing them, make sure that the dividing partitions do not rest against the walls of the chamber. Gaps in the freezer should be minimal, but contact of metal or glass with the wall is unacceptable.
Typical errors and checking the quality of installation
After the shelf is installed, it is necessary to carry out visual and tactile quality control of the work performed. The most common mistake is that the shelf does not fit completely into the grooves. Visually this may not be noticeable, but under load such a shelf may slide off.
Check the gaps around the entire perimeter. They should be uniform. If the shelf fits tightly on one side, but a wide gap is visible on the other, it means it is installed crookedly. In this case, it is necessary to remove the part and repeat the installation procedure, paying more attention to alignment.
- 🛑 Do not place heavy products on the shelf immediately if glue or sealant was used (although the standard instructions Atlant glue is not required, some users are guilty of this).
- 🧼 Make sure that there is no protective film on the ends of the glass shelf, which is often forgotten to be removed. It may melt or turn yellow over time.
- 🔊 Listen: when closing the door, the refrigerator should not make new creaks or knocks, which may occur due to the vibration of an incorrectly inserted shelf.
☑️ Checking the installation
Another mistake is ignoring the instructions for the maximum load. Even if the shelf fits perfectly, you should not overload it. For a standard glass shelf in refrigerators Atlant the recommended load is usually about 10-15 kg, distributed evenly over the entire area.
Care of shelves and prevention of damage
In order for installed shelves to serve for a long time, they need to be properly maintained look after Clean glass surfaces with warm water and a mild detergent. Do not use abrasive sponges, which can leave micro-scratches on plastic or glass, making them more vulnerable to stress.
Check the condition of plastic elements regularly. Over time, plastic can “get tired” and lose its properties, especially under the influence of constant cold and periodic defrosting. If you notice that the shelf frame has cracked, it is better to replace it without waiting.