21
Technical Terminology
Refrigerant
Liquids that can be used to a generate a cooling effect are known as
refrigerants. They have a relatively low boiling-point, indeed so low, that
the warmth from the food stored in the fridge or freezer can cause the
refrigerant to boil and vaporise.
Refrigerant Circuit
Closed circulation system that contains the refrigerant. The refrigerant
circuit comprises primarily of an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser
and pipe work.
Evaporator
The refrigerant is evaporated in the evaporator. Similar to all other liquids,
refrigerant requires heat to evaporate. This heat is removed from the
interior of the appliance, as a result the interior is cooled. The evaporator
is therefore located inside the appliance or placed in foam immediately
behind the inner wall and thus not visible.
Compressor
The compressor looks like a small drum. It is driven by a built-in electric
motor and is mounted on the base of the appliance at the rear. The task
of the compressor is to draw in vaporised refrigerant from the evaporator,
to compress it, and to pass it on to the condenser.
Condenser
The condenser normally has the form of a grid. The refrigerant com-
pressed in the compressor is liquefied in the condenser. During this
process, heat is released to the surrounding air at the surface of the
condenser. The condenser is mounted on the base of the appliance.