When choosing or repairing In household appliances, one of the key issues is the reliability of the main unit of the cooling system. Owners are often interested what compressors are in the Atlant refrigerator, because the stability of the temperature regime and the durability of the unit depend on their work. The Belarusian brand traditionally uses time-tested solutions, combining them with modern energy-saving technologies.
The range of components used is quite wide and depends on the specific model, year of manufacture and energy efficiency class. In early versions, standard piston units predominated, while quieter and more economical options are increasingly found in modern lines. Understanding the markings and technical characteristics will help you avoid mistakes when diagnosing or replacing equipment.
In this article we will analyze in detail the types of motors, their features and identification methods. You will learn how the Atlantovsk developments differ from analogues from other manufacturers, and what nuances should be taken into account during operation. This knowledge will become the foundation for competent maintenance of your equipment.
Overview of manufacturers and main types of compressors
Historically, the Atlant plant has been equipping its products with engines of its own production for a long time. This made it possible to control quality and reduce the cost of the final product. However, in recent years there has been a trend towards diversification of suppliers, which gives the consumer more choice.
The main type of engine that you will find in most models is piston compressor. It is characterized by the reciprocating movement of a piston that compresses the refrigerant. Such units are known for their maintainability and resistance to voltage surges, which is important for domestic operating conditions.
With the development of technology, inverter compressorsappeared in the range. They work on the principle of smoothly changing the engine speed, rather than constantly switching on and off. This allows you to reduce noise levels and significantly save energy, although it makes the design more complex and demanding on the quality of the electrical network.
- 🏭 Own production: Atlant Plant (Minsk) - classic piston models, proven for decades.
- 🇩🇪 Secop (formerly Danfoss): German quality, often found in mid- and premium-class models.
- 🇨🇳 GMCC (Midea) and others: Chinese brands that are actively replacing European analogues in new lines.
- ⚡ Inverter systems: Installed in top models marked “No Frost” and energy consumption class A+ and higher.
⚠️ Attention: When ordering spare parts for repair, be sure to check the compatibility of the starting relay. Even if the geometric dimensions of the compressor are the same, the characteristics of the starting device may differ, which will lead to rapid failure of the new unit.
The choice of a specific manufacturer for replacement often depends on the availability of spare parts and the repair budget. Original Belarusian engines are usually cheaper, but can be a little louder than their imported counterparts. Imported options often require more precise adjustment of the system and high-quality soldering of tubes.
Marking system and decoding of codes
Understanding how units are marked is the first step to competent maintenance. On the housing of each compressor there is a nameplate with technical information. Refrigerators Atlant are characterized by alphanumeric coding, which indicates the type of refrigerant, power and climate class.
The most common designations begin with the letter “C”, which indicates the tightness of the structure. This is followed by a number indicating the type of refrigerant: “1” means R12 (freon, practically no longer used in new models), “2” - R600a (isobutane), and "3" - R134a. Modern Atlant refrigerators most often operate on R600a or R134a.
The following numbers in the code indicate the cooling capacity. The higher the value, the more powerful the engine and the larger the chamber volume it can cool. Also important is the letter at the end of the marking, indicating the climate class: N (normal) or SN (subnormal), which means the ability to work at lower ambient temperatures.
Decoding of popular Atlant codes
KO-20-X (where KO - compressor, 20 - refrigeration capacity, X - type of refrigerant). Models with the "H" index at the end often have increased power for operation in tropical conditions, but are rare in Russia.
When looking for an analogue for replacement, it is important to pay attention not only to the code, but also to the overall dimensions of the seats. Sometimes, to install a more modern or powerful unit, a slight modification of the fastening elements or a change in the length of the copper tubes is required.
Technical characteristics and performance
The efficiency of the refrigerator directly depends on the correspondence of the compressor power to the volume of the chambers. Refrigerators Atlant use motors with different cooling capacities, which are measured in watts or kcal/hour. For standard two-chamber models with a volume of up to 300 liters, units with a power of 90–110 W are usually sufficient.
An important parameter is the coefficient of performance (COP). In modern models it is higher, which means less electricity consumption while producing the same amount of cold. Piston compressors Atlant have an optimized cylinder geometry, which reduces mechanical losses.
Below is a table showing the dependence of the compressor model on the volume of the refrigeration chamber and the type of refrigerant. This data will help you navigate the variety of technical solutions.
| Compressor model | Refrigerant type | Cooling capacity (W) | Recommended chamber volume (l) |
|---|---|---|---|
| KO-10 (KO-10-N) | R134a / R600a | 95 - 105 | up to 200 |
| KO-12 (KO-12-N) | R134a | 115 - 125 | 200 - 280 |
| KO-14 (KO-14-N) | R600a | 130 - 145 | 280 - 350 |
| Inverter (Generic) | R600a | 90 - 160 (var.) | 300 - 450 |
It is worth noting that using a compressor with reduced power for a large volume will lead to its continuous operation and rapid wear. Conversely, installing an overly powerful engine on a small chamber can cause problems with cycling and the correct oil.
Noisiness and energy consumption
Noise level is one of the main criteria for comfort when operating household appliances in the kitchen. Traditional piston compressorss, which have been installed for decades, emit a characteristic hum and vibration. This is due to the mechanics of piston movement and valve operation. Atlant, emit a characteristic hum and vibration. This is due to the mechanics of the piston movement and the operation of the valves.
In new models, the manufacturer introduces noise reduction systems: rubber shock absorbers, improved sound insulation of the casing and more accurate balancing of the engine rotor. However, it is impossible to completely get rid of the sound of the piston mechanism. The noise level is usually 36–42 dB, which is considered the norm for this class of equipment.
The situation changes dramatically with the advent of inverter motors. They operate smoothly, without sudden starts, so they are practically inaudible (about 25–30 dB). The energy consumption of such models can be 20–30% lower than their classic counterparts, which has a significant impact on electricity bills in the long term.
- 🔊 Start-stop: A characteristic click when starting and a fading hum when stopping.
- 🤫 Inverter: Uniform low-frequency hum, which often merges with the background noise of the room.
- 📉 Savings: Inverter models reach class A++ and higher, while classic ones rarely exceed A+.
- 🛠 Maintainability: Classic motors are simpler and cheaper to maintain, inverter ones require complex electronics.
If silence is a priority for you, it is worth considering models with inverter technology. However, you need to be prepared for the fact that the cost of such a refrigerator and its repair in the event of a breakdown will be higher.
Features of replacement and compatibility of analogues
When a standard compressor fails, the owner is faced with the question: look for the original or install an analogue. Original Belarusian units Atlant ideally match the seats and length of the tubes. Their installation often does not require welding; simple crimping is sufficient.
If the original cannot be found, you can use analogues from Secop, Embraco or LG. The main selection rule is matching the refrigeration capacity and the type of refrigerant. The power of an analogue may differ from the original by no more than 10% up or down.
The replacement process requires professional equipment: a vacuum pump, a pressure gauge station and a burner. Important remember that simply “re-soldering” the tubes is not enough. The system must be vacuumed to remove moisture and air, otherwise the compressor will not last long.
☑️ Check before installing a new compressor
⚠️ Attention: Never turn on the compressor if the system is not charged with refrigerant or is not connected to a vacuum pump. Working “dry” or with an open circuit is guaranteed to lead to burnout of the winding in a few minutes.
Fault diagnosis and service life
The average service life of compressors in refrigerators Atlant is 10–15 years, provided the network voltage is stable. However, the real figure greatly depends on the operating conditions: dustiness of the condenser, frequency of door openings and temperature conditions in the room.
The first signs of a malfunction may be: constant operation of the motor without shutting down, lack of cold when the engine is running, the appearance of extraneous knocking or metallic clanging. Also an alarming signal is black carbon deposits on the pipes or strong heating of the housing.
A frequent problem is the failure of the start relay, which is often confused with a breakdown of the compressor itself. If the motor hums, but does not start, or starts for a few seconds and clicks, the problem may be in the relay or a broken winding.
For accurate diagnosis, you need to call windings with a multimeter. The resistance between the working and starting terminals must be in a certain range (usually 15–40 Ohms), and the resistance between the case and any terminals must be infinite (no breakdown).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it possible to put a compressor from another brand in the Atlant refrigerator?
Yes, this is possible if the type of refrigerant, cooling capacity and overall dimensions match. However, it may be necessary to replace the start relay and modify the copper tubes.
Why is the new Atlant compressor louder than the old one?
Modern models may have a different design of valves or piston group, which changes the acoustic profile. Also, the cause may be improper installation, vibration of the case or a poor-quality starting relay.
How to determine that the compressor has burned out without disassembling?
If, when turned on, the refrigerator makes one click and goes silent (or hums for a couple of seconds and clicks), and the tubes remain cold, there is a high probability of a breakdown of the compressor or the starting relay. Checking with a multimeter will give an accurate answer.
Is it worth changing a conventional compressor to an inverter one in old Atlanta?
Technically, this is extremely difficult and economically impractical. The inverter requires replacement of the control unit (board), re-soldering of the entire control system and configuration. It’s easier and cheaper to replace with a similar piston one.