Electricity-efficient Compressor Can Deliver Over 20 Years Of Service

Cooling technology is taken to the next level

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 20 March 2018 – Just what does a compressor have to go through before it’s deemed satisfactory? In 2017, Verband Deutscher Elektrotechniker (VDE) conducted 310,000 tests on Samsung refrigerators over 120 days to assess the performance and durability of its inverter compressors. The German-based testing and certification association says that Samsung’s inverter compressors, which are often considered the heart of the refrigerator, can last up to more than two decades.

A compressor is the core part of a refrigerator that circulates cool air. If compared to the human body, it would be the heart and to automobiles, the engine. Unfortunately, nine out of 10 refrigerators used by consumers worldwide have a compressor that isn’t that very smart.

Over 95 percent of Samsung’s refrigerators have a digital inverter compressor that automatically perceives environmental changes caused by the surrounding temperature, the opening and closing of the door, as well as the operating mode and adjusts its speed accordingly. Yet, about 90 percent of refrigerators in the world are equipped with conventional, fixed-speed compressors, which operate at a fixed speed of 3,600RPM when only a little amount of cold air is required; ultimately consuming a lot of unnecessary energy and creating noise.

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, much like people hunching their bodies in cold weather. When the refrigerator door is opened and closed frequently, or when the surrounding temperature increases in the summer, the interior temperature rises. 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 .

Mike van Lier, Director of Consumer Electronics Samsung South Africa, says, “Our innovative digital inverter compressors detect the slightest temperature change inside the refrigerator and control cool air – ensuring that our products can fit seamlessly into our customers unique use patterns.”

Power Consumption Reduced by 30 Percent

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.

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.

Samsung’s digital inverter compressor under performance testing

Much like a car’s engine that requires a high level of reliability, the motor within Samsung compressors adjusts its rotational motion into a linear piston action, compressing and circulating refrigerants. Samsung achieved strong durability by incorporating the digital inverter control system with its unrivalled nano-processing technology.

Samsung manufactures one compressor every second, producing 54,200 compressors daily . These compressors are used in various products, including refrigerators, air conditioners, large capacity premium refrigerators and food showcases. Samsung is planning to apply digital inverter compressors to all refrigerators by next year to enhance competitiveness. In fact, the compressors are so good, they’re also used by other major appliance manufacturers and can be found in air conditioners and dryers, cars, ships and even 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.

“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. It results in significant cost savings, a reduced carbon footprint, less noise and a longer lifespan for the compressor,” concludes van Lier.