The situation when the refrigerator Atlant stops cooling, and its motor is silent, catches take any home cook by surprise. Food begins to deteriorate and the temperature inside the chamber quickly rises, requiring immediate action. Most often, owners are faced with the fact that compressor does not start at all or makes only a short click and goes silent.
There can be many reasons for this behavior of the equipment: from a banal power surge to complex mechanical damage to internal components. Motor-compressor is the heart of the system, and if it does not work, the entire cooling cycle stops. It is important not to panic, but to consistently check the main components to understand whether you need to call a technician or whether the problem can be solved yourself.
In this article we will look in detail at why engine malfunctions occur, how to diagnose a faulty start relay and what to do if the winding burns out. Understanding the principles of operation single-phase motor will help you avoid unnecessary expenses on repairs or, conversely, prevent critical breakdown of the entire system.
Main symptoms of a compressor malfunction
The first sign that motor-compressor functions incorrectly, is the absence of the characteristic hum of a working unit. However, silence is not the only indicator. Sometimes the engine tries to start and makes a humming noise, but after a few seconds there is a click and there is silence. This is a classic sign that the thermal protection has tripped or the starting device is faulty.
It is also worth paying attention to the temperature of the compressor housing itself. If it's completely cold after sitting for a few hours, the electrical current may simply not be reaching the windings. At the same time, if the body is heated to the point where it is impossible to touch it, this indicates interturn short circuit or jamming of the piston group.
Sometimes the refrigerator Atlant works in enhanced mode, without turning off, but not reaches the desired temperature. This may indicate a loss of compressor performance when it pumps freon, but does not create the necessary pressure in the system. Visual inspection and listening to the sounds of operation help to narrow down the troubleshooting circle.
- 🔊 The compressor hums, but does not start, a metallic click is heard.
- ❄️ The unit is completely silent, the indicators are on, there is no cold.
- 🔥 The motor housing overheats, you can smell burning or scorched insulation.
- 🔄 The motor runs non-stop, without turning off for rest.
Problems with the starting relay and thermal protection
One of the most common reasons why it does not work compressor in the refrigerator Atlant, is the failure of the start relay. This small block is responsible for supplying an impulse to the starting winding of the engine at the moment of start. If the relay contacts burn or stick, the engine does not receive the necessary push to start rotating the rotor.
It often works in tandem with the relay thermal protection relay. It opens the power circuit if the current in the windings exceeds the norm or if the motor overheats. Sometimes it happens that the protection itself fails and opens the circuit even with normal performance, blocking the start of a working motor. Replacing these elements is a relatively inexpensive and quick procedure.
⚠️ Attention: Before replacing the start relay, make sure that the new device is marked according to your compressor model. Installing an unsuitable relay can lead to re-burning of the motor windings.
To diagnose the relay, it must be removed and shaken. If a ringing sound is heard inside, it means that the core is loose and the mechanism is destroyed. You can also check the contacts with a multimeter conductivity. Visually, deposits are often visible on the contacts, which prevents the normal passage of current.
How to check the relay with a multimeter?
Remove the relay and set the multimeter to continuity mode. Check continuity between contacts. If the relay is normally closed, it should ring. To check operation, you can apply power to the coil (carefully!), you should hear a click and a change in the state of the contacts.
Faults in the electrical windings of the motor
If everything is in order with the starting equipment, the problem may lie deeper - in the electric motor itself. Refrigerator compressors Atlant equipped with two main windings: working and starting. During voltage surges or natural wear of the insulation, a winding break or short circuit may occur.
Diagnostics are carried out using an ohmmeter. The normal resistance of the working winding is usually about 30 ohms, and the starting winding is about 15 ohms (values may vary). If the device shows infinity (open) or zero (short), the engine requires replacement. Repairing windings at home is practically impossible and economically unfeasible.
A particular danger is a breakdown of the winding to the housing. In this case, if you touch metal parts of the refrigerator, you may receive an electric shock. You can check this by measuring the resistance between any contact of the connector and the copper tube of the compressor or its housing. The device should show infinity.
| Type of fault | Ohmmeter readings | External signs | Solution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winding break | Infinity (1) | Silence, no buzzing | Replacement of the compressor |
| Interturn short circuit | Resistance below normal | Humming, overheating, knocks out machines | Replacing the compressor |
| Breakdown to the housing | Resistance between the contact and the housing | Electric shock, RCD is triggered | Urgent replacement |
| Normal | Operating ~30 Ohm, Starting ~15 Ohm | Stable operation | No repair required |
Compressor jamming: mechanical failure
The most unpleasant scenario is compressor wedge. Inside the sealed casing is a complex crank system. Due to exhaustion, lack of lubrication, or ingress of solid particles (wear products), the piston may get stuck in the cylinder. In this case, the motor rotor is physically unable to turn.
When you try to start a jammed motor, the current in the windings increases sharply, which causes a hum and subsequent shutdown by the thermal protection. There is a “wedging” method by applying increased voltage, but it only helps in 50% of cases and often leads to final failure. For refrigerators Atlant with a long service life, this method is risky.
If the compressor is jammed, the only reliable solution is to replace it. Attempts to revive a unit with mechanical damage are temporary and may be unsafe.
⚠️ Attention: The compressor wedging method requires special knowledge and equipment. Inexperienced intervention can lead to an explosion of the compressor housing or a fire due to the ignition of oil and freon.
The influence of the thermostat and control module
A silent compressor does not always mean it is broken. Often the problem lies in the control circuits. Thermoregulator (thermostat) is a device that gives a command to turn on the motor when the temperature in the chamber rises. If its contacts have oxidized or the capillary tube has lost sensitivity, the signal simply does not reach the engine.
In modern models Atlant with electronic control, it is responsible for turning on the compressor control module (board). Failure of a triac or relay on the board leads to the fact that voltage is not supplied to the motor, even if it itself is fully operational. Diagnostics of electronics requires special skills.
You can check the mechanical thermostat by closing its contacts directly. If after this procedure the refrigerator starts working, then the reason has been found. However, remember that operating a refrigerator without a thermostat is dangerous - it will operate continuously, which will lead to freezing and spoilage of food.
☑️ Diagnostics of control circuits
What to do: step-by-step algorithm of actions
If you find that the compressor is not working, do not rush to disassemble complete unit. Start with simple steps. Make sure there is power to the outlet and the power cord is working properly. Check to see if the machine in the control panel has tripped. Then listen to see if the motor makes any sounds.
If the motor hums but does not start, most likely the problem is the starting relay or wedge. If there is silence, check the thermostat and the integrity of the windings. For an accurate diagnosis, you will need a multimeter. Without this device, it is impossible to determine a break in the winding or a breakdown in the housing.
If complex faults are detected, such as breakdown of the windings or the need to replace the compressor itself with refilling with freon, it is better to contact professionals. Replacing the motor yourself requires a vacuum pump, scales and refrigerant.
Is it possible to start an Atlant refrigerator without a starting relay?
Theoretically, you can start the engine by applying voltage directly to the working and starting windings, but doing this manually is extremely dangerous and ineffective. The engine will not be able to switch to operating mode on its own and will quickly burn out. There are special starting devices (for example, UZP-1), but they are a temporary solution.
How much does it cost to replace a compressor on an Atlant refrigerator?
The cost consists of the price of a new motor (from 4,000 to 8,000 rubles depending on the model) and the cost of the technician’s work, taking into account refilling with freon. On average, repairs cost 6,000–10,000 rubles. Prices may vary depending on the region.
Why does the compressor turn on for 5 seconds and turn off?
This is thermal protection triggered. Reasons: the starting relay is faulty (does not start the engine), the compressor is jammed (mechanical obstacle) or low voltage in the network, due to which the engine cannot gain speed.
How to extend the life of the refrigerator compressor?
Do not place the refrigerator close to the wall (a gap is needed to ventilate the condenser), defrost the chamber regularly, do not load it into the refrigerator hot foods and keep the condenser grill at the back of the unit clean.