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Frequently Asked Questions About Domestic Refrigerator Repair:

Is an old refrigerator a fire hazard?

I have a refrigerator that is about 40 years old. Should I get rid of it? Is it dangerous to have in the house (could it catch the house on fire) I'd appreciate your advice. Thank you.

All refrigerators, even the very old ones, have thermal protection on their motors. If these motors become too hot they merely shut down. So refrigerators hardly ever start fires but things can happen even to new ones. Fires can also be caused by bad wiring though. You could check this yourself or you could hire a technician. Try this test-- bend the wires feeding the compressor or the line cord right over, if the insulation breaks you should have it rewired.

There may be a different hazard though. Another thing about very old appliances is that they are not grounded. You may be in danger of electric shock. If the wiring shorts to the frame of the appliance somewhere on the cabinet, no breaker will blow and the whole frame becomes live. This could be resolved by installing a new grounded cord. In my book that is reviewed back at the web site, you can learn how to install a grounded supply cord. If you're interested in getting a copy let me know.