Which voltage regulator should I choose for a refrigerator?

Among the electrical appliances that we use every day, the refrigerator, as they say, is beyond competition. However, for the stable operation of the equipment, it is necessary to supply electricity that meets certain standards. On the territory of the countries of the former USSR, the standard voltage value is 220 V( plus or minus 10 percent).Unfortunately, this indicator is not always maintained. There are many reasons for this: old networks, accidents at the substation, weather conditions, etc. The purpose of the device for stabilizing the voltage is to protect the household appliance from fluctuations in the voltage in the network. Let's try to figure out which voltage regulator to choose for the refrigerator.

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How much stabilizer is needed?

Many components of the refrigerator depend on the quality of the supplied electrical energy. Especially it concerns modern models, literally stuffed with electronics. Especially vulnerable to voltage fluctuations in the network compressor. Voltage drops can quickly disable it.

Here is the list of the most common breakdowns of the refrigerator due to jumps in the network and prolonged voltage drops:

• Breakdown of electronic compressor control systems and temperature mode.
• Burning of compressor motor windings. The reason may be a prolonged voltage drop, which led to a breakdown of insulation and overheating of the winding wire.
• Winding of the motor windings due to the impossibility of starting at low voltage( prolonged action of the inrush current leads to overheating).
• Breakdown of the crankshaft pair of the compressor. This breakdown is typical for devices that are not equipped with protection against premature starting.

Important! Knowing which voltage regulator to choose for a refrigerator is necessary for the reason that this device makes it possible to reduce the output voltage values, as well as stop feeding it at unacceptable values ​​(less than 110 and more than 280 V).Also the device allows creating the necessary time delay before restarting the compressor.

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How to choose a stabilizer for a refrigerator: classification

All voltage stabilization devices differ in their device, output power and principle of operation. There are such types of devices:

• Relay.
• Electromechanical.
• Triac.

Electromechanical

The device is equipped with an electronic board for controlling the voltage parameters and controlling the servomotor, which drives the current collector. It moves through coil turns, adjusting the output voltage.

Features:

• The advantages of electromechanical devices include high accuracy( error from 2 to 4%).
• The downside is a small speed of operation due to inertia( 10-20 V).

Important! This device is designed for operation where the voltage value is constantly overestimated or underestimated, or the voltage value is changed slowly enough.

Relay

When using relay devices, the transformer windings are switched by means of a power relay. The relay operation time is taken into account and the discontinuities in the circuit are minimized to allowable values.

The main advantage of the relay device is its quick response to switching. At the same time there is no delay.

The disadvantages are:

• Noise during operation( relay clicks).
• Contact firing.
• Multistage work before reaching the necessary parameters.

Important! In which situation is it better to choose such a voltage regulator for a refrigerator? Relay-type devices are used at a high probability of sudden changes in network parameters. It should be remembered that with frequent power surges, the operating life of the device is greatly reduced.

Triacs stabilizers

Transformer windings are switched by means of triacs( power switches).In this case, there is no traditional relay, which makes it possible for silent multiple switching.

The advantages of the stabilizing devices of the triac type are:

• Speed.
• The ability to permanently switch transformer windings with frequent changes in mains voltage.

The minuses of the triac device are:

• The comparatively high price.
• High quality requirements for components.

Important! With strong voltage drops in the network, triac devices are the best option.

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Power calculation

Power is the most important parameter of the device. The unit of measurement of the indicator is volt-amperes( VA).This is the total output power of the refrigerator, corresponding to a voltage of 220 V. The amount of power consumption is indicated in the technical passport devices( usually in Watts).

Consider how to choose the voltage regulator for the refrigerator in terms of power:

• To obtain the desired full power value, divide the nominal nominal value in watts by a factor of 0.65.
• When the device starts up, there are significant starting currents, therefore the total power must be increased threefold.

Important! For example, the power consumption of the refrigerator, indicated in the technical passport, is 300 W.The power in volt-amperes taking into account the starting currents will be: 300 / 0.65 x 3 = 1154 VA.This means that you need a stabilizer in 1200 VA.

If the current value is unknown, then the calculation of the minimum voltage can be made. For example:

• The current for the stabilizer in 2000 VA at 220 V is 2000/220 = 9.1 A.
• At a voltage of 160 V, the device gives an output of 160 x 9.1 = 1450 VA, which meets the requirements.

A separate socket is required to accommodate the controller. Instruments are placed away from heat sources and periodically cleaned from dust.

Important! Power regulator should be higher than the power of the refrigerator by about 15-20%.If you plan to connect several devices, then to obtain the required power, you need to increase by 15-20% the total power of the serviced equipment.

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Single or three-phase controller?

So, what are the voltage stabilizers better for a refrigerator?

• The use of a single-phase stabilizer is appropriate in the case when no other device, except the refrigerator, is connected to it.
• With a three-phase meter, it is possible to power several instruments at once. In addition, they are ideally combined with refrigerators of the newest models.
• Three-phase devices are used for industrial freezers and refrigerators, the power of which is tens of times greater than that of household appliances.
• In addition, three-phase stabilizers are better in contact with three-phase power networks. Of course, the cost of such stabilizers is an order of magnitude higher than for single-phase devices.

Important! According to experts, with a single-phase network, if there is a need to service not only the refrigerator, but also other devices, the best option will be to install not one three-phase, but three single-phase devices.

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Additional selection criteria for

In addition to the factors listed, the following factors influence the choice of the controller:

• Dimensions and weight.
• Method of connection to mains.
• Dimensions.
• Trademark.
• Auxiliary functionality, in particular, automatic shutdown in the event of a breakdown.

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Features of the stabilizer selection for an apartment, villa and private house

Each of the above options has its own characteristics:

• In the holiday home there is a large number of vehicles with asynchronous motors, quite peculiar in terms of launch. For example, to start the pump at 1.5 kW, you need a power of 3.5 kW.Therefore, when choosing a summer stabilizer, the total capacity of electrical appliances is increased not by 15-20, but by 45 percent. Such a stock is quite enough to avoid burning out the equipment.
• The regulators used in apartments are calculated as follows: the total capacity of electrical appliances plus 10-15%.This is quite enough.
• The choice of the stabilizer for a private house, where there are mini transformers, has its own peculiarity. Preliminary it is necessary to make measurements of a pressure in a network, and then to choose the stabilizer.

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Overview of the best models of

Let's consider three models of regulators of different brands and characteristics that have become most widespread. This will help resolve the question: what kind of voltage regulator should I choose for a refrigerator.

LG-2500

Costly model, irreplaceable for use in everyday life. The power of 2.5 kW makes it possible to service both a refrigerator and other appliances: a hot water boiler, iron, a washing machine.

Atlant( SNVT-1500)

This variant is ideal for different brands of refrigerators. The input voltage is 100-280 V. The warranty period is 2 years.

Woltron PCH-1500

The device is used for single-phase networks. The voltage regulator is important for both the refrigerator and other appliances. When installing the stabilizer, the refrigerator will run smoothly, and you will be able to avoid expensive repairs. A large number of offers on the market allows you to choose an electrical appliance with optimal characteristics.