What is a PTC on a refrigerator?

PTC relay is a specific starting device, which works for the compressor of the refrigerators. The principle function of the PTC relay is to provide power to the start winding for a brief period to help to trigger the motor of the cooling compressor.

What does a refrigerator relay switch do?

The thermostat inside the refrigerator tells the compressor when to turn on and turn off to maintain safe cooling levels. When the temperature inside the refrigerator rises above the current thermostat settings, the thermostat sends an electrical signal to the relay switch to start the compressor.

How does a PTC compressor start relay work?

A PTC relay uses a positive temperature coefficient thermistor to remove the start winding and/or start capacitor from the circuit. These compressors are designed to operate with a run capacitor in the motor circuit to give them better running efficiency.

How does a PTC work?

PTC thermistors are temperature-dependent resistors based on special semiconductor ceramics with a high positive temperature coefficient (PTC). They exhibit relatively low resistance values at room temperature. When a current flows through a PTC the heat generated raises the temperature of the PTC.

How does a PTC starter work?

How do you test a PTC relay?

Flip the relay upside-down to see if the resistance changes to 0-1 ohms. Keep the probes inside of the same ports while you turn the relay over to the opposite side. Check the multimeter to see if the reading changes from “OL.” If the meter has a reading between 0-1 Ω, then the relay is still working.

Can fridge work without relay?

A compressor can’t run continuously, so the relay is used. This is an electrical switch that tells the compressor when to turn on or off depending on the need for cool air inside the unit. If the relay fails, however, the compressor might not ever kick on, so you may have to bypass the refrigerator’s relay system.