How long can a refrigerator work in the cold?

The question of whether the refrigerator can work in the cold is far from idle. Often purchased a new unit, when his older brother is still fully functional and able to serve more than one year. The fate of the former "symbol of family affluence", as a rule, is determined. He moves to the cottage or is on the balcony. And since the dimensions of the refrigerator are not the smallest, then the thought involuntarily creeps into my head, and doesn’t he continue to work for the benefit of preserving food?

And the idea is quite sensible, but only if you follow certain rules of operation! Otherwise, the freezer will very quickly turn into a bulky cupboard that will just take up space. And the rules unequivocally state that the ambient temperature at which the refrigerator should be operated is + 6 ... + 35 ° C. From this it follows that it is impossible to turn on the mechanism on the balcony, which is not glazed or heated. The same is true for giving in the winter.This is due to the technical features of the device refrigeration unit.

The most characteristic damage

The first who is not adapted to work at low temperatures is the thermostat. Its function is to control the on and off of the compressor. The device is configured to operate in the temperature range specified in the passport of the refrigerator. When reducing those below + 5 ° C, the thermostat will cut down the compressor and will not turn it on until the air warms up again. But since the surrounding atmosphere will not become warmer until the arrival of spring, the refrigerator motor will not work accordingly.

Another scenario is less harmless. From time to time the refrigerator will still turn on. But at low temperatures, the oil lubricating the friction parts of the unit becomes thick. When the engine is started, the load on the windings increases significantly, as a result of which a protective relay can operate. Work in this mode quickly leads to serious damage.

But if the engine still started and runs at sub-zero temperatures, you should not rejoice. Here the unit lurks the most dangerous type of damage.Due to the fact that freon (refrigerant) does not gather heat in sufficient volume, it does not boil all. The compressor operates on an evaporator saturated with drops.

This mode leads to rapid wear of equipment. But in cold conditions, a so-called “hydraulic shock” may occur, completely destroying the engine-compressor mechanism.

Modern refrigerators of the No Frost system, when operating in the winter on a cold balcony, lose their ability to defrost. On the evaporator there are growths from the ice. This should be an alarm bell that the unit is malfunctioning.

Quickly fails the system of sealing the refrigerator. First of all, sealing rubber around the door perimeter suffers. They harden, lose their elasticity and eventually crack and crumble. At the same time, air is freely drawn from outside the cabinet and the engine cannot cool it.

In addition, when operating in cold conditions, evaporation always forms and quickly turns into condensate. Sailing on wires, it can lead to oxidation of contacts and short circuits. The electronic process control system in the refrigerator is especially sensitive to moisture.If moisture gets on the board, the entire automation unit can fail, the replacement of which is a costly pleasure.

Recommendations of the masters

If you still have to operate the refrigerator in an extreme version, experts recommend some practical advice.

The best option when placing the refrigerator on the balcony or loggia is their glazing and insulation. This, of course, requires certain costs, but natural working conditions will be created for the unit. It should be remembered that, despite the glazing, the air temperature on the balcony should not be below + 5 ° C. If this is not the case, it is required to install additional heating devices or use local heating. Usually behind the back wall of the refrigerator have a "warm mat" or fan heater.

In addition, it is necessary to conduct an audit of power cables. If the insulation on them is old or cracked, it is better to replace such elements. It is not recommended to cut out unsuitable sections of wires, they should be removed as a whole.

Store the unit in the cold season, subject to the following rules.

Before storing the refrigerator until the next season, it is necessary to completely defrost the chambers. Then thoroughly clean them from ice and wipe dry. It is better to leave the cabinet door ajar for free ventilation. Unplug the power from the outlet.

If the refrigerator is on the balcony, it should be covered with plastic wrap. This will protect the device from dust and rain from the street.