Linear compressor LG
Most likely, the designers of modern LG refrigerators understand that their fiasco with a linear compressor will affect the sales of all refrigerators with a linear compressor, but for some reason LG continues to supply these compressors on their refrigerators.
Why is a linear compressor so bad?
In fact, the linear compressor is a very cool development, but very often all ideas are attempts to improve an existing option. For example, in a classic compressor with a crank mechanism it is impossible to change the speed, but on the other hand, if you adjust the frequency of the voltage supplied to the compressor, the speed will change, since they are proportional to the frequency.
A classic compressor has at least three friction points in the engine and one in the connecting rod mechanism, while a linear compressor has only one friction point, but the main failure of a classic compressor is not related to friction and wear, the main failure is an interturn short circuit due to a voltage surge at the moment of starting, the starting relay does not have time to cool down and starting occurs only on the working winding, without the starting winding, which leads to burnout. The second failure is overheating; if there is a partial leak, the compressor runs without stopping and simply overheats
It turns out that LG designers complicated the design where there should not have been any complication, made the cost of the part many times more expensive, without solving the problem of its reliability, and even adding complexity to repair.
A classic compressor has at least three friction points in the engine and one in the connecting rod mechanism, while a linear compressor has only one friction point, but the main failure of a classic compressor is not related to friction and wear, the main failure is an interturn short circuit due to a voltage surge at the moment of starting, the starting relay does not have time to cool down and starting occurs only on the working winding, without the starting winding, which leads to burnout. The second failure is overheating; if there is a partial leak, the compressor runs without stopping and simply overheats
It turns out that LG designers complicated the design where there should not have been any complication, made the cost of the part many times more expensive, without solving the problem of its reliability, and even adding complexity to repair.
What is the difference between an inverter compressor and a linear one?
The concept of inverting means turning over; in relation to electrical circuits, this most often means converting single-phase voltage into three-phase, which allows you to start the compressor more efficiently, because three-phase motors do not have starting devices and do not require capacitors to shift the phase for the starting winding.
Inventory compressors are installed, for example, on Samsung or Haier refrigerators, they are structurally exactly the same as the classic ones, they have a crank mechanism, but a slightly different winding arrangement, the power supply is three-phase voltage, which is generated by the inverter unit
A linear compressor is also an inverter compressor, but its operating principle is similar to that of a shearing machine, the piston moves inside the coil at the power frequency
Inventory compressors are installed, for example, on Samsung or Haier refrigerators, they are structurally exactly the same as the classic ones, they have a crank mechanism, but a slightly different winding arrangement, the power supply is three-phase voltage, which is generated by the inverter unit
A linear compressor is also an inverter compressor, but its operating principle is similar to that of a shearing machine, the piston moves inside the coil at the power frequency
How to test a linear compressor?
To check a linear compressor, special testers are used, which can be bought in online stores. The main difference between these testers is what functions they have, for example, to test an LG fan with three or 4 power contacts, it is no longer enough to apply 220 volts to them as in a classic fan, you also need to provide a PWM signal. Also, many testers are equipped with devices for checking stepper and solenoid valves of capillary tubes, which also cannot be checked with direct power, but need to be supplied either with a pulse or a series of specific pulses
The tester is connected to the compressor and shows the current consumption; many models are also equipped with “speed control”, but in our case this is not speed control, but a change in the “reduction” frequency
The easiest way to determine which compressor is in front of you is to look at the nameplate (paper sticker), if the nameplate says power supply 220 volts (maybe 240) and a frequency of 50 hertz - this is a classic compressor
Inverter or 3-phase is marked 240 volts and 66-250 hertz, i.e. There are two frequency parameters, therefore it changes using an inverter
The linear compressor has on the nameplate the inscription 0-240 volts and 50 (60) Hertz, that is, from the marking we understand that our voltage changes, while the frequency remains unchanged
The tester is connected to the compressor and shows the current consumption; many models are also equipped with “speed control”, but in our case this is not speed control, but a change in the “reduction” frequency
The easiest way to determine which compressor is in front of you is to look at the nameplate (paper sticker), if the nameplate says power supply 220 volts (maybe 240) and a frequency of 50 hertz - this is a classic compressor
Inverter or 3-phase is marked 240 volts and 66-250 hertz, i.e. There are two frequency parameters, therefore it changes using an inverter
The linear compressor has on the nameplate the inscription 0-240 volts and 50 (60) Hertz, that is, from the marking we understand that our voltage changes, while the frequency remains unchanged