HOW IT WORKS
Refrigeration systems are closed loop operations, and maintain the colder temperatures since they are within a closed, insulated box. Low temp refrigerants are used for freezers and medium temp refrigerants are used for coolers. They contain at least (and usually many more) components: a compressor, a metering device, a hot (condenser) coil, a cold (evaporator) coil, fans (for the condenser and evaporator coils) and a control unit (thermostat). The cycle is as follows:
- The compressor receives refrigerant from the evaporator. It compresses the refrigerant, which cause it to become a hot, high pressure (a couple hundred pounds per square inch) gas.
- The liquid refrigerant then passes through a metering device where it evaporates, resulting in a low pressure, cold gas.
- This low pressure gas circulates through the evaporator coils, absorbing the heat and cooling the box.
- The gas returns to the compressor, starting the cycle again.