Understanding Refrigerator Sensors: What Are They and Their Importance

Refrigerator malfunctions often involve sensors (refrigerator temperature sensors). So what exactly are refrigerator sensors? How can you tell if a sensor is faulty? And what are common refrigerator sensor resistance values? Let's find out in the following article by Mytour!

1. What Are Refrigerator Sensors?

Refrigerator sensors, also known as refrigerator temperature sensors, are crucial components of refrigerators. They are responsible for detecting cold levels and relaying this information to the processing system. This ensures optimal temperature control within the refrigerator, preventing it from becoming too cold or too warm for food preservation.

2. Functionality and Classification of Sensors

The primary function of refrigerator sensors is to sense temperature to maintain optimal thermal levels. Refrigerator sensors are comprised of thermal resistors. As the temperature decreases or increases, the resistance of the thermal resistor changes, affecting the electric current passing through it. Based on the received current values, the control system calculates the current temperature level. Subsequently, it collaborates with the evaporator to maintain the appropriate temperature for preserving food inside.

Refrigerator sensors typically consist of 2 probes, one for controlling airflow temperature before it reaches the evaporator coil. The other is for monitoring refrigerant temperature inside the coil tubing.

So how many sensors does a refrigerator have? The answer is two. Typically, a refrigerator has one sensor to sense the coldness at the evaporator coil and another temperature sensor to measure the air going to the coil. For some larger refrigerator models, the number of sensors may be more, each performing different tasks.

3. Current Sensor Rating Table for Refrigerators from Various Brands

Each refrigerator brand has different sensor resistance values. Therefore, you need to accurately understand these resistance values before intending to replace the refrigerator sensor.

4. Signs of Malfunctioning Refrigerator Sensors and Proper Diagnostic Techniques

4.1. Identifying Signs of Faulty Refrigerator Sensors

• Refrigerator Constantly Shutting Off

A malfunctioning refrigerator sensor will lose its ability to control temperature, causing the compressor to shut off repeatedly for 5 - 10 minutes.

• Refrigerator Unable to Make Ice

When the sensor is not functioning, the compressor cannot perform the programmed cycle correctly. As a result, the refrigerator enters a state where it cannot make ice. This leads to increased power consumption and decreased food preservation efficiency.

• Refrigerator Accumulating Frost and Making Loud Noises

If the sensor is damaged or broken, the refrigerator is prone to frost buildup as the defrost program is halted. This also causes ice to accumulate heavily in the ice compartment, resulting in louder noises due to friction with the fan blades.

4.2. How to Test Refrigerator Sensors

There are currently 2 methods to test refrigerator sensors as follows:

• Method 1: Unplug the Refrigerator

If you encounter any of the above signs, immediately unplug the refrigerator and wait for about 3 - 5 hours. Then plug it back in. If you no longer hear the sound from the fan, it means the sensor is faulty.

• Method 2: Using an Ammeter

First, you should remove the sensor from the refrigerator and switch the ammeter to VOM mode. Then, use 2 probe needles to touch the contact point of the wire on the refrigerator sensor. Next, immerse the sensor in ice water and check the reading on the ammeter. If it remains unchanged, the sensor is likely defective.

5. Important Considerations When Replacing Sensors

In case you need to replace the refrigerator sensor, you should be aware of the sensor values according to the manufacturer's standards. Then, choose and replace the appropriate temperature sensor to ensure the stable operation of the refrigerator. 

If you replace the sensor with incorrect values, it may lead to the refrigerator becoming too cold, causing freezing in the cooling compartment or weak refrigeration, rendering it unable to properly preserve food. This can significantly affect the durability and lifespan of the appliance. 

Additionally, it's advisable to contact authorized service centers or reputable repair facilities to inspect and assist in replacing this component!

This article by Mytour has shared useful information about refrigerator sensors. We hope that through this article, you have gained a better understanding of this component. Thank you for reading!