How a Refrigerator Works — Simple, Visual, and Animated
How a Refrigerator Works — Simple, Visual, and Animated
A refrigerator keeps food cold by removing heat from the interior and expelling it outside. This happens continuously through a closed loop called the refrigeration cycle, which uses a refrigerant (a fluid that evaporates and condenses easily) and four main components: compressor, condenser, expansion device, and evaporator. Below is an easy step-by-step explanation plus an animated diagram you can watch to understand the flow.
Quick Animation Recap: Compressor raises pressure & temperature → Condenser rejects heat and condenses the refrigerant → Expansion device drops pressure (liquid gets very cold) → Evaporator absorbs interior heat and evaporates the refrigerant → cycle repeats.
Step-by-step: What exactly happens inside a refrigerator?
- Evaporator (Inside the fridge): Cold liquid refrigerant passes through the evaporator coils inside the fridge compartment. Because it is at low pressure, the liquid quickly evaporates—absorbing heat from the food compartment. This cooling of air inside the fridge is the primary job of the evaporator.
- Compressor: The refrigerant, now a low-pressure cold vapour, is drawn into the compressor located at the back. The compressor compresses this vapour, increasing its pressure and temperature — turning it into a hot, high-pressure vapour.
- Condenser (Back or underneath the fridge): The hot vapour flows to the condenser coils. Here the refrigerant releases its heat to the surrounding room air (often assisted by condenser fins and a fan). As it cools down at high pressure, the vapour condenses into a high-pressure liquid.
- Expansion Device (Capillary tube or thermostatic expansion valve): The high-pressure liquid passes through the expansion device which suddenly lowers its pressure. This pressure drop cools the liquid drastically — creating a very cold low-pressure liquid/gas mix.
- Back to Evaporator: The very cold mixture goes back into the evaporator coils and the process repeats. The thermostat and control electronics cycle the compressor on/off to keep interior temperature stable.
Extra notes — Components & their roles
- Refrigerant: The working fluid that changes phase (liquid ⇄ vapour) to move heat. Modern refrigerators use R600a, R134a, or similar refrigerants depending on model and region.
- Thermostat / Sensors: Measure temperature and tell the compressor when to switch on or off.
- Fans: Move air across the condenser fins (outside) and evaporator (inside) to improve heat exchange.
- Insulation & Gasket: Prevent outside heat entering the cooled compartment, improving efficiency.
Recommended Refrigerator (Example) & Accessories
Energy-efficient Frost-free Refrigerator
A modern frost-free fridge with inverter compressor ensures consistent cooling and lower electricity bills.
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Compatible Water Filter / Accessory
Keep your fridge water & ice tasting fresh—filters and antimicrobial gasket kits available.
Buy on AmazonFAQ
Why does my fridge make a humming or clicking noise?
Humming usually comes from the compressor running. Clicking may be the thermostat or start relay trying to start the compressor. Persistent loud noises should be checked by a technician.
How often should I defrost a non-frost-free refrigerator?
Defrost when ice buildup exceeds ~6mm. Frost reduces efficiency and increases power use.
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