Refrigeration Systems and Components
Refrigeration cycle, compressors, evaporators, condensers, capillary tubes, filter-driers, accumulators, and refrigerant types used in household appliances.
- Describe the four stages of the refrigeration cycle
- Explain the function of the capillary tube as a metering device
- Identify the purpose of condenser coils and evaporator coils
- Describe the role of the filter-drier and accumulator
- Identify the typical refrigerant used in modern household refrigerators
Lesson 1
The Refrigeration Cycle
How Refrigeration Works
Refrigeration does not create cold - it removes heat. Every refrigerator, freezer, and air conditioner works by moving heat from where it is not wanted to a location where it can be dissipated. Understanding this cycle is essential for diagnosing any sealed-system problem.
The Four Main Components
The refrigeration cycle relies on four major components:
- Compressor - the heart of the system that pumps refrigerant and raises its pressure and temperature
- Condenser coils - where the high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant releases heat to the surrounding environment
- Capillary tube - the metering device that reduces pressure before the evaporator
- Evaporator coils - where the low-pressure refrigerant absorbs heat from inside the refrigerator
Remember the Pressure Change
The high side runs from the compressor discharge through the condenser to the capillary tube inlet. The low side runs from the capillary tube outlet through the evaporator back to the compressor suction. The capillary tube is the dividing point.
The refrigeration cycle has four stages - compression, condensation, metering, and evaporation. The compressor raises pressure, the condenser releases heat, the capillary tube reduces pressure, and the evaporator absorbs heat.