Proper Operation
Learn how your appliance is supposed to operate so you can determine if it is malfunctioning.


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Evaporator Fan

When the saturated refrigerant gas leaves the condensor coils, it has given up most of its heat and it moves up a thin copper pipe called a capillary tube to the evaporator coils. The gas is still under pressure in the capillary tube but when it enters the evaporator coils it expands rapidly because the pressure in the evaporator coils is very low. When the refrigerant gas expands, it absorbs heat from the surrounding coils. The surface temperature of the evaporator coils are normally below 0 degrees F. After the gas has absorbed the heat of expansion, it is sucked out of the evaporator coils by the compressor and the refrigeration cycle is complete. The evaporator fan is essential for moving the cold air. The evaporator fan carries the cold air away from the coils and distributes it to the freezer and refrigerator sections. The following diagram shows the evaporator coils and the evaporator fan.

Evaporator Coils

The evaporator fan motor bearings frequently sieze up. If the bearings stick, the motor should be replaced.