How To Test And Replace A Bad Thermostat In A Commercial Refrigerator
A warm commercial refrigerator in a restaurant can become a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria that can cause your customers to become sick. Getting customers sick can destroy your restaurant's reputation and lead to multiple lawsuits that could drain all your finances and put you out of business. If you only have one commercial refrigerator to rely on to keep foods cold, you'll need to determine what the problem is as fast as possible so you can keep your doors open. The problem could be the thermostat, start capacitor, or a bad compressor. Here is a guide on how you can determine if it's the thermostat that is the problem and how you can change it quickly.
Test for Power
You should make sure the refrigerator is getting power. The easiest way to test this is to open the refrigerator door and see if the light comes on. If the light comes on, the refrigerator is getting power.
Thermostat Location
The thermostat is located inside the refrigerator. It is the device that has a dial that allows you to set the temperature you want in the refrigerator.
Remove Thermostat
The thermostat has a metal cover that is connected to a bracket. Remove the thermostat knob and lift up on the cover to take it off the bracket. Remove the screws holding the thermostat to the cover and disconnect the two sets of wire connected to terminals on the thermostat.
Test Thermostat
You will need a voltmeter or a multimeter device to test the resistance in the thermostat. The meters will have two prongs on them. Set the meter to the "ohms" setting. The "ohms" symbol on a meter looks like an upside down horseshoe. Turn the thermostat dial to the "On" position and press one probe on one terminal and the other probe on the other terminal. If the thermostat is bad, you will get an "OL" reading (meaning an open loop) on the meter.
Buying a New Thermostat
The old thermostat will have a label on it listing all the specifications of the thermostat. You must make sure you get a new meter that replicates what is on the label of the old one.
Install New Thermostat
Reconnect the wires to the terminals on the new thermostat and screw it back onto the cover. Slip the cover back onto the bracket in the refrigerator and put the knob back on. The refrigerator should kick on once you turn the dial setting to the "On" position.
If you have trouble replacing the thermostat or think you may have a bigger issue with your refrigerator, contact a repair company like A1 American Commercial Refrigeration, LLC.