After a storm or power surge: how to check your fridge and freezer

Durban's summer storms bring lightning, sudden power cuts and a surge when the supply returns. Fridges and freezers are among the appliances most often damaged, because they run all day and are rarely switched off. Sometimes the damage is obvious, like a dead display, but often it is not. A compressor can be weakened, a control board can be damaged and the fridge keeps running for a while before it fails.

Check the power first

• Look at the plug, the socket and the lead for scorch marks, melted plastic or a burning smell. If you find any, do not use the socket and have an electrician check it.
• Check the trip switches and the main board. A fridge on a tripped circuit looks dead but is not damaged.
• Check the fridge display or lights. A blank display, flashing lights or an error code may mean a damaged control board.
• Check that the settings have not reset. After an outage, some fridges reset to default temperatures or turn on an alarm.

Give the compressor a rest

When the power returns, a fridge compressor can be asked to restart while the pressure in the system is still high, which makes it struggle or trip. Many modern fridges have a built-in delay, but older ones do not. If the fridge has been off, give it five to ten minutes after the power is stable before it restarts. If you hear it clicking without starting, switch it off and wait before trying again. Repeated starts stress the motor.

Check the temperatures

Put a thermometer in the fridge and the freezer and check them over the next few hours. A fridge should be around 3 to 5 degrees Celsius, and a freezer minus 18. If the temperature is rising, or the compressor runs constantly without cooling, there may be damage.

Signs of surge damage

• The fridge does not start at all, or the display is blank.
• The compressor runs but the fridge does not get cold.
• The fridge keeps clicking, tripping or resetting.
• Fans, lights or the dispenser stop working while the rest does.
• Error codes appear on the display.
• A burning smell or hot spots around the back of the fridge.

Food safety after an outage

Keep the doors closed during the outage. A closed fridge keeps food cold for around four hours, and a full freezer for much longer. After that, discard perishable food that has been above 5 degrees Celsius for more than four hours. Frozen food with ice crystals can generally be kept. When in doubt, throw it out.

How to protect your fridge next time

• Use a surge protector with a time delay, made for fridges and freezers.
• Unplug the fridge during a nearby lightning storm if you can do so safely.
• Make sure the plug and socket are in good condition and the wiring is earthed.
• Keep a thermometer in the fridge so that you notice problems early.
• Check your home or business insurance to see what is covered for surge damage, and keep records and photos if you need to claim.

For businesses

If a cold room or display cooler is affected, record the temperatures and the time, move stock to working equipment and keep notes for your insurer. A technician should check the electrical protection, contactors and controller before you restart a large system.

If your fridge is behaving oddly after a storm, call us on 083 538 5106. We test the electrical parts and the compressor on-site across Durban and the surrounding area, and tell you honestly what was damaged and what it will take to fix.