Over 95 percent of Samsung’s refrigerators have a digital inverter compressor that automatically perceives environmental changes caused by the surrounding temperature, opening and closing of the door as well as the operating mode, and adjusts its operating speed accordingly. Yet, approximately 90 percent of refrigerators in the world are equipped with conventional, fixed speed compressors. This compressor operates at a fixed maximum speed of 3,600RPM (or 3,000RPM according to electric power) even when only a little amount of cold air is required, ultimately consuming a lot of unnecessary energy and making noises.

Samsung refrigerators are smart and have a ‘strong heart’ that maintains performance evenly for as long as 21 years. This is the reason why Samsung Electronics leads world’s refrigerator market and ranks No.1 with over 50 percent in market share for digital compressors. Let’s look into the details of Samsung digital inverter compressors and the source of their unparalleled competitiveness.

1. Advanced Temperature Control with Unrestricted Speed from 0 to 4,500RPM

The Samsung digital inverter compressor operates by automatically detecting changes in the surrounding environment. It instantly responds to temperature change like people hunching their bodies in cold weather. The temperature inside the refrigerator rises when the door is opened and closed frequently, or when the surrounding temperature increases in the summer. In such cases, the compressor operates intensely at the maximum speed of 4,500RPM as cool air must be injected quickly. Samsung compressors do not require complex handling because they automatically detect these changes and operate at an optimal speed. In comparison, other conventional compressors operate at a fixed speed of maximum 3,600RPM based on a simple on/off system.

The Samsung Chef Collection Refrigerator has a unique, fixed temperature refrigeration technology that stores fresh food within the range of ±0.5 degrees Celsius. This special feature is possible due to Samsung’s digital inverter compressors that detect the slightest temperature change inside the refrigerator and control cool air. Fridges equipped with conventional compressors that always create the same amount of cool air have a significant variation in inner temperature and thus lack the capacity to preserve fresh food.

Samsung digital inverter compressor

‚2. Power Consumption Reduced by 30%

As a Samsung digital inverter compressor stops or slows its operation when the cool air is not required as much, such as at night or in the winter, it significantly increases power efficiency. The variable-speed refrigerating technology unique to the digital inverter can save power consumption by an average of 30 percent compared to other compressors that operate at a fixed speed of generally 3,600RPM.

3. Less Noise: a Fridge that Becomes Silent at Night

There may have been times when you’re in bed at night with your eyes closed, and suddenly the refrigerator starts making a buzzing sound. Samsung digital inverter compressors stop operation or operate silently at low speed at night, dawn, or even daytime if the refrigerator door is not frequently opened and closed. Such flexibility is one of the strengths of Samsung compressors that can control speed without restrictions.

„4. Performance Maintained Evenly for 21 Years

Samsung’s digital inverter compressor under performance testings

After more than 300,000 tests for 120 days, the German certificate authority VDE (Verband Deutscher Elektrotechnicker) issued a life-span certificate of 21 years to Samsung digital inverter compressors, which is the longest in the industry.

There is a motor inside Samsung compressors (refer to the video), and the compressor changes the rotational motion of the motor into linear piston motion, compressing and circulating refrigerants. This can be compared to a car’s engine, which requires a high level of reliability. Samsung achieved strong durability by incorporating the digital inverter control system with its unrivaled nano-processing technology, which has been developed on based on Samsung’s accumulated experience of manufacturing over two hundred million compressors in the last over 40 years.

Helmut Boehn, Head of Section (Cooling, Freezing Safety / Energy) at VDE.

*What is nano-processing technology?

The technology that precisely processes the metal surface at the scale of a few nanometers. If there is even a slight, minute unevenness on the surface of the compressor’s moving parts, such as piston, cylinder and bearing, it could increase friction that could gravely impact performance and reliability. Samsung has developed industry’s leading technology which processes at the scale at 100 nanometers or below (around one four-hundredth width of a single strand of hair) for manufacturing its compressors.

World’s No.1 Manufacturing Competitiveness, with One Compressor Manufactured Every Second

In addition to the strengths of a Samsung’s digital compressor, it is worthwhile to note Samsung’s strong manufacturing competitiveness. Samsung manufactures one compressor every second. It produces 54,200 compressors daily by operating the manufacturing line for 16 hours a day. These compressors are used in various products including Samsung refrigerators, and Samsung is planning to apply digital inverter compressors to all of its refrigerators by next year to enhance competitiveness.

The smart and strong Samsung compressors are used by not only Samsung but also other refrigerator manufacturers. In addition to household appliances such as refrigerators, air conditioners and dryers, the compressors are also used for automobiles, ships, and even for communication base stations. By conversely applying the principle of the refrigeration cycle of the compressor and changing the circulation structure of refrigerants, it can be used for heaters, dryers or heating sheets in cars that release heat.

One of the competitiveness of a Samsung digital inverter compressor, composed mostly of motors and super precision nano-processed parts, is that it can be made as small as a beverage can. It also has a competitive edge in manufacturing cost which allows it to be used in various household appliances and machinery.

Manufacturing process of Samsung’s digital inverter compressor

Established in 1893, VDE has carried out countless tests on the functions, performance and standard compliance of electronic devices. As one of the largest technical and scientific associations in Europe, it is well known for its strict quality assessment standards.

VDE conducted 310,000 on-off tests on Samsung’s digital inverter compressors, while simultaneously evaluating vibration, noise and safety. Following the tests, the institution certified that Samsung’s digital inverter compressors will remain operational for 21 years.

Samsung Digital inverter compressors for the refrigerator

A digital inverter compressor continuously regulates the air temperature in a refrigerator without stopping. It affects power consumption, noise and vibration. In this regard, the reliability and durability of a compressor are core determinants of the operational lifespan of a refrigerator. VDE’s official certification proves the top-notch performance and durability of Samsung’s inverter compressors.

Constituting more than 50 percent of the digital inverter compressor market, Samsung has the largest digital inverter compressor production capacity in the world. In May, Samsung’s accumulated production of compressors exceeded 200 million units since the company first started manufacturing the component in 1976. This means that Samsung has produced one compressor every three seconds!

Samsung’s compressors reduce power consumption via temperature sensing technologies and by minimizing noise and vibration. Digital inverter compressors are applied to Samsung’s major refrigerators, including the Samsung Chef Collection Refrigerator.

“The VDE certification is the result of Samsung’s development of new manufacturing processes and assembly lines which enhance the degree of precision of core components by two times,” said Young tae Kim, Vice President and Compressor & Motor Team Leader of the Digital Appliances Business at Samsung Electronics. “Going forward, we will remain committed to strengthening our core competencies and developing new innovative component technologies as a global leader in the refrigerator market.”

Test room for the digital inverter compressors at Samsung Electronics

For decades, refrigerators had single-speed compressors that were always either off or on. A compressor is the engine that powers the refrigeration cycle, moving refrigerant through the inner and outer heat exchange pipes. With a single-speed compressor, when the temperature inside the fridge reaches above a certain temperature, the compressor suddenly switches on – a noise almost everyone is familiar with. The single-speed compressor operates at full power, producing enough cool air until the temperature has sufficiently decreased before abruptly shutting off.

Enter the digital inverter compressor (a compressor that can operate at variable speeds because it is operated with a digital inverter). Unlike the standard single-speed compressor, which is either off or operating at full speed (typically about 3,600rpm), the digital inverter compressor is almost always on, but can operate at different speeds – from 1,100 to 4,300rpm. This ensures high efficiency and consistent temperature inside the refrigerator. It also results in significant cost savings, a reduced carbon footprint, less noise and a longer lifespan for the compressor. The digital inverter compressor is one of the most important innovations in the history of refrigerators and food preservation and Samsung has led the way.

Today, digital inverter compressors are the main technology used in Samsung’s signature refrigerators, including those that are part of the Chef Collection, the T9000, as well as food showcases and large-capacity premium refrigerators. This has played no small role in Samsung’s ascent to become the world’s top refrigerator manufacturer.

In addition, Samsung has become a technical leader, as one of the world’s top manufacturers of this game-changing technology. Samsung produced more than 40% of the world’s digital inverter compressors in 2014 as other major manufacturers now use Samsung’s superior compressors in their refrigerators.

Samsung really began its rise in this area in 1999 when the company pushed investment in BLDC (brushless direct current) inverter compressors. Since then, Samsung has continued to expand its investment in research and development, hiring a highly skilled team of researchers, which has enabled the company to remain on the cutting edge of technology. From 2000 to 2014, Samsung sold a total of 27.5 million BLDC inverter compressors, which are highly efficient and less noisy compared to a single-speed induction motor compressor. BLDC motors are also better in terms of reliability and longevity. The current Chef Collection refrigerator employs a fifth generation technology of BLDC inverter compressor.

The benefits are obvious. A refrigerator with a Samsung digital inverter compressor consumes up to 46.9% less energy than a single-speed induction motor compressor, and thus contributes far less in the way of greenhouse gases. Because the digital inverter compressor gradually speeds up and slows down, it does not have to work as hard to manage the temperature. This means that refrigerators with digital inverter compressors suffer less wear and tear on components and are therefore far more durable than fridges with conventional compressors. This has allowed Samsung to offer a 10-year warranty on its digital inverter compressors.

The lack of abrupt starts and stops means no sudden, potentially startling disruptive noises interrupting you dinner. Digital inverter compressors are also far less noisy overall: up to 3 decibels quieter. And the consistent, uniform cooling that maintains the desired temperature means food lasts longer because changes in temperature can lead produce, meat, fish and dairy to spoil more quickly. It all means that consumers will save money on both their electric bills and food costs.

When Samsung sought input from its highly influential group of culinary experts, also known as the Club des Chefs, they emphasized that temperature uniformity is a crucial component of any fridge that may be used in a Michelin-starred kitchen. Chef Collection refrigerators boast “Chef Mode,” which ensures that the temperature fluctuates no more than plus or minus 0.5 degrees celsius. The Chef Collection refrigerator is equipped with three evaporators and two compressors to control humidity. It is also made of stainless steel panels, which help to keep the temperature consistent.