Performance testing of Refrigerator and Freezer

Standard Performance Test conducts on the refrigerator

 

Following are the test which perform on the refrigerator to check reliability and performance of the freezer as per design.

Pulldown Test (Empty or No load)

This test is performed to check the pulldown time from ambient temperature to design temperature without any load in the cabinet in design time period

 Pulldown Test (Load Test or Storage Load Test)

This test is performed to check thermal performance of the freezer under various ambient condition, temperature at various location in the cabinet, and operating time of compressor. Special testing chamber is used for such test, Ambient temperature and relative humidity can be manipulated in this chamber. Freezer compartment is loaded with foods, packages for heavy usage testing. Frequent door opening test is conducted in high temperature and in high humidity. It ensures defrosting on the evaporator coil, evaporation of water and the recovery of desire temperature.

Energy Consumption Tests

Energy consumption test is necessary in several countries. The set standard is checked periodically. This test is conducted at food compartment internal temperature of 4 to 70 C, at freezer compartment temperature of -18 to -150 C and ambient temperature.

Ice-Making Test

Test is performed in ambient temperature to check the rate of ice making in the ice tray or any other ice making device which comes with refrigerator.

Handling and Storage Test

Handling test is the important test as other tests. Refrigerators are exposed to impact, vibration during the transportation or shipping. The packaging of refrigerator should withstand without any damage. Some simple testing machines are used for such test. Packed freezer is kept on those machines for testing. These machines creates the impact like shipping and road transport vibrations. Some drop tests also conduct to check freezer plastic parts like ice tray, vegetable basket. In drop test these parts are drop on one corner from the height of approx. 150mm from the ground level. Same test repeat for each corner to check reliability of the parts.

External Surface Condensation Test

This test also called as sweating test. Special test labs are created where temperature and humidity are maintained. This test checks the moisture condensation on the outer surface of the cabinet.

Internal Moisture Accumulation Test

This test is performed to check moisture sealing of cabinet to prevent moisture getting into the freezer cabinet insulation and reduce the performance and life. This also check the rate of frost building on cabinet and expected defrost frequency. This test is also performed in high humidity and ambient temperature. In test frequent door opening are done for 3 to 4 weeks and 100 opening a day.

Current Leakage Test

Test is important to eliminate the possibility of shock hazard. Entire electrical current through entire electrical insulation is checked under intense operating conditions.

Low-Ambient-Temperature Operation

The test is performed to determine load and ice making test under low ambient test.

High and Low Voltage Tests

It tests the ability of compressor to perform at high and low voltage.

Food Preservation Tests

This test is performed to check and evaluate the utility of compartment like vegetable tray, meet keeper, butter keepers. All these compartments are filled with food during testing. Food is observed periodically.

Noise Tests.

To keep the sound level withing acceptable level is important. A special constructed chamber is used to perform this test. dB meter is used for this test. Its manufacturer responsibility to keep sound level within acceptable limit.

Special-Functions Tests

Some freezers have some special features which required special test to be conducted as per the informal procedure.

Component Life Testing

Few refrigerator components like door latch, door hinges, door gasket, door shelves, light and fan switch are subjected to wear and tear due to continuous use by customer throughout the product’s life cycle. These components are checked by automatic mechanism or machines. Door opening cycle is checked for 200000 to 300000 cycles. Load testing is done on door shelves. Salt spray testing is done on metal components. Life test is also done for electrical, electronic components like fan motor, compressor, temperature controller.

Field Testing

To get some realistic tests field test is performed. Due to some limitation at laboratory test field test is performed in some selected home for observation. Field test also provide some additional information.