Defrost timers are used in foodservice equipment, such as refrigerators and freezers, to control the automatic defrosting process. When a refrigerator or freezer operates, moisture from the air inside the unit can collect on the evaporator coils, which can cause them to freeze over time. This can lead to decreased efficiency of the unit, and eventually, the unit may stop working altogether.
To prevent this, defrost timers are used to control the automatic defrosting process. The defrost timer controls the duration and frequency of the defrost cycle, which helps to ensure that the evaporator coils are defrosted regularly and prevent frost buildup.
When the defrost timer is activated, it turns off the compressor and activates the defrost heaters, which melt the frost on the evaporator coils. The defrost timer then switches the heaters off and turns the compressor back on, allowing the unit to return to its normal cooling mode.