The defrost heater is an important component of the refrigerator’s defrosting cycle. The refrigerator defrost heater helps to melt the ice that accumulates on the evaporator coils in the freezer compartment. Without a defrost heater, the build-up of ice can affect the normal operation of the refrigerator, leading to food spoilage and costly repairs.
The working principle of the refrigerator defrost heater is to generate heat through resistance elements to melt ice. It is usually located directly beneath the evaporator coil, so that the applied heat can directly melt the ice and allow the water to flow into the drain pan.
There are two common types of defrost heater tubes in refrigerators: radiant heaters and coil heaters. Radiant heaters are flat metal strips placed in the freezer compartment, usually at the bottom. On the other hand, coil heaters consist of coils wound around the evaporator coils and are directly connected to the defrost thermostat.
The defrost thermostat works in conjunction with the defrost heater element to regulate the temperature inside the freezer. When the temperature inside the freezer drops below a certain level, the defrost thermostat triggers the defrost cycle and activates the defrost heater to heat up. Then, the ice formed on the evaporator coils begins to melt and the water flows into the drain pan.
It is important to note that not all refrigerators have defrost heaters. For instance, small refrigerators do not always have this feature. Additionally, some newer models use alternative defrosting methods, such as adaptive defrost systems, which work by monitoring the frost accumulation on the evaporator coils and defrosting accordingly.
In conclusion, defrost heaters are an important component for the effective operation of a refrigerator. The fridge defrost heater‘s function is to melt the ice accumulated on the evaporator coils, prevent food from spoiling, and avoid costly repairs. Although not all refrigerators have them, most do. Without them, the normal operation of the refrigerator is at risk. Therefore, if you notice any issues with the defrost cycle, it is important to have a professional check it to ensure that your defrost heater is working properly.
Common Faults
— Damaged heating tube: Due to long-term use or quality issues, the defrost heating tube may break or burn out, resulting in the inability to defrost.
— Wiring issue: If the connection wire of the defrost heating tube is loose or broken, it will cause the heating tube to fail to work properly.
— Defrost sensor failure: If the defrost sensor is damaged, it may cause the heating tube to fail to start or work for a long time, affecting the normal operation of the refrigerator.
Maintenance and Inspection
— Regular Inspection: Check the appearance of the defrost heater tubes for any damage or corrosion.
— Test the resistance: Use a multimeter to measure the resistance of the heating tube to determine if it is working properly (the resistance value is usually between tens of ohms and hundreds of ohms).
— Clear the drain pipe: Ensure that the defrost water can be discharged smoothly to prevent blockage.
Regular maintenance and timely replacement of damaged defrost heating tubes can ensure the refrigeration effect and energy efficiency of the refrigerator and extend its service life. If defrosting problems occur, it is recommended to contact professional maintenance personnel for inspection and repair.
Post time: Apr-19-2025