Compressor Problems
Of course most homeowners wouldn't be replacing their own compressor, but it helps to know about them and how they work. If you have a compressor problem its not always serious. It could be just the starter, perhaps its just overheated, or perhaps there is something going on with the power source. Here are some answers to commonly asked questions about compressors:
Here is an example of the kind of information you can find about compressors in The Fridge Doctor Book:
Inside the black welded outer steel tank of the compressor there are actually two devices. An electric motor, and the compressor itself which is usually placed on the bottom of the electric motor on the same single shaft. From the 1930's until just recently the electric motor that drove the compressor was always a 120 volt split phase motor. These motors needed to have two windings, a start and a run. The start winding was taken out of the circuit by a relay as soon as the motor was up to the speed in which a smaller winding, called the run winding was enough to keep it rotating. Currently a new type of electric motor to drive the household refrigerators compressor is being developed, it's called a Variable Capacitor Compressor.
Figure 3.7 various shapes of compressors
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