Wondering how to choose stabilizer for refrigerator? Protect your expensive refrigerators from regular power fluctuations and unpredictable power supply by investing in a stabilizer.
Modern refrigerators typically come with built-in stabilizers, but they can operate on a limited voltage range. Therefore, an external stabilizer is mandatory to boost safety and voltage range capabilities.
There are certain crucial elements to think about while choosing a refrigerator stabilizer. We’ve laid out these criteria so you can pick the stabilizer that works best with your fridge.
Is a Stabilizer Necessary for a Refrigerator?
No, but a stabilizer is a must if you live in areas with extreme voltage fluctuations.
A stabilizer isn’t strictly necessary unless your fridge has a narrow voltage operating range. Also, you might not need a stabilizer if your fridge can function across various input voltages. Most modern freezers can function across a wide voltage spectrum.
Benefits of Using a Stabilizer With a Refrigerator
Using a voltage stabilizer for your refrigerator comes with several advantages, including the following:
Designed to Stop an Excessive Amount of Power From Entering the Refrigeration Unit
Voltage stabilizers offer several benefits, the most important of which is a defense against overactive currents and high voltage that could otherwise enter the electrical device during power surges.
The high-voltage current can cause burnouts and permanent damage to your refrigerator. Hence, by utilizing a voltage stabilizer, one can ensure that the current fed into the appliance is suitable for its level of functionality.
Compatible With Virtually All of the Capacities of Refrigerators
Stabilizers are available in several sizes, each corresponding to a different capacity. And you can easily select a stabilizer by paying attention to the voltage requirements of your refrigerator. Some of the most recent refrigerator models have a built-in operation that does not require a stabilizer. However, we still recommend using a voltage stabilizer to protect you from voltage fluctuations.
Prevents the Refrigerator from Failing to Function Properly
Home appliances that run on electricity, like refrigerators, typically have a maximum electrical capacity within which they can function at their most efficient. Nevertheless, it is prone to problems during voltage fluctuations, which can cause the refrigerator to act abnormally.
When you use a voltage stabilizer, you ensure a steady flow of electricity into the refrigerator within the recommended capacity. This feature enables the refrigerator to continue functioning normally even when the voltage changes.
Offers Protection Against Electrical Hazards During Blackouts
When the power goes out, installing a voltage stabilizer for your refrigerator in your home can effectively protect your appliance from damage. The flow of electricity into the fridge is uninterrupted when power conditions are normal, which enables the appliance to function without any disturbances. However, this electricity flow gets disrupted whenever there is a loss of power, which causes the device to turn off or become inoperable.
As a result, it is essential to install a voltage stabilizer to keep the output voltage to the refrigerator at a constant level, protecting it from suffering additional damage. That’s because when you turn the power back on, electrical surges can cause damage to your property. However, voltage stabilizers can help protect you from this risk.
Contributes to the Energy Efficiency of the Refrigerator
Voltage stabilizers prevent excessive energy from entering the electrical device connected to prevent any damage. A significant contribution to the device’s overall energy efficiency is that it regulates the flow of electricity and cuts down on the amount of power consumed during surges. In addition, a stabilizer contributes to a decrease in the amount of power consumed, resulting in a lower monthly bill for electricity.
Cost-Effective
Voltage stabilizers are easily accessible and have reasonable prices in the Indian market. Also, as they are long-lasting and durable, they provide excellent value compared to their cost. In addition, you also get a comprehensive warranty with each purchase.
Others
Owning a voltage stabilizer for your fridge at home has several advantages. Moreover, you can purchase these voltage stabilizers in various fashionable designs. Some of the most recent models are designed to be mounted on walls and are simple to set up inside a home.
In addition, you can install these stabilizers in older refrigerator models as well as more contemporary ones. They come with LED indications and are easy to use for day-to-day activities. In addition, they protect against thermal overloads and stop the connected device from getting too hot.
How to Choose Stabilizer for Refrigerator?
It is important to check the device’s voltage, current, and power ratings. These metrics are on the sticker near the power socket, but if not, consult the user manual.
The standard service output in India will be 230 VAC, and the standard frequency will be 50 Hz.
Simply do “230 x max rated current” of each device that will function with the stabilizer to calculate the maximal power output of the stabilizer. When calculating the stabilizer rating, add a 20–25 percent safety margin. You can keep a buffer for additional devices if you intend to add more of them at a later time.
You should also consider the surge current that flows through the device when you turn it on. For example, if the voltage stabilizer also has a rating in watts, a power factor of 0.8 should be assumed for it (W=V*A*pf).
Next, the nature of the load connected to the stabilizer is the most important thing you must know. First, you have to make a list of all the different appliances whose power, measured in watts, will be connected to the stabilizer. The load on the stabilizer, measured in watts, can be calculated by adding up all the watts used for power consumption. However, we measure most stabilizers in kilovolt amperes (kVA) or VA (Volt Ampere).
Although you will need to take some measurements to calculate the actual Volt Ampere (VA) from Watts (W), you can get a rough estimate of the size of the VA that you may require by multiplying the watts value by 20%. Doing this will give you the approximate size of the VA that you may require. (It is important to note that 20% is an appropriate value for domestic applications. However, if your power factor is poor, it may not work in industrial settings).
If the total amount of wattage linked to your stabilizer is 1000, you can use a stabilizer with 1200 VA or 1.2 kVA.
The operating range of a stabilizer is the voltage range in which the device operates, stagnates the input utility power output, and offers a desirable output voltage. Stabilizers typically come with multiple working ranges. Therefore, selecting a stabilizer suitable for the voltage fluctuations experienced in your region is essential.
By researching the magnitude of the typical power fluctuations in your location, get an idea. (For example, areas with extremely low or high voltage, areas with moderately high or low voltage, etc.) It is up to you to determine the working range of your stabilizers to meet your location’s requirements.
If, for example, your area undergoes extremely low or high voltage instability, you might find that you need to select a stabilizer that has a wide working range to meet your needs.
Here are some factors that will help you to choose a stabilizer for your refrigerator:
Power Consumption
Before you go out and buy a stabilizer, the load you will connect it to is the first thing you need to make sure it can handle. You need to check the amount of power your refrigerator uses in watts. Wattage is a measurement used to express power. In the owner’s manual for your refrigerator, you will find instructions on determining its wattage.
As a general rule, you should look for a stabilizer with more than fifty percent of the wattage of your refrigerator. Suppose the power requirement of your fridge is 200 watts, for example. In that case, you will need to purchase a stabilizer that is 300 watts to ensure proper operation.
Input Voltage Range
The input voltage must fall within a certain range for the stabilizer to maintain the output voltage within that range. As a result, you will need to verify the input voltage received in your home. Suppose this voltage is outside the range your stabilizer accepts as an input. In that case, it will immediately cut the electricity supply to your refrigerator.
In India, the standard voltage for household appliances is 230V. Therefore, you should purchase a stabilizer whose input voltage can cover 230V.
Mounting
Instead of putting it on the ground, mounting a stabilizer is a much more secure option. When you put it down on the ground, there is a possibility that moisture will get onto it. Hence, because it is an electrical device, this could result in electric shocks or fires. Therefore, you should look for a potential location to mount your stabilizer.
The next thing to consider is whether or not the manufacturer provides free setup services. You can do it yourself if you have experience with electrical wiring and are competent. However, suppose you don’t have experience in electrical wiring. In that case, we highly recommend you seek the assistance of a qualified technician.
Indicators
Stabilizers typically include a display that allows you to monitor their performance and confirm that the device is operating correctly and without any issues. There are various types of stabilizers, and some of them have an LED that flashes to indicate that it is working properly. Also, others come with a comprehensive digital display showing both the input and output voltages.
Time Delay System
If there is a disruption in the electricity supply, it will disrupt the voltage flow. This phenomenon results in the stabilizer overheating, which increases the risk of damaging your refrigerator. Even if the power goes out, the voltage supplied to your refrigerator will be maintained for a certain amount of time by the stabilizer if it has a time delay function.
Hence, if your home suffers from frequent power outages, you will find that the time delay system is very helpful. It ensures that both your stabilizer and fridge will last for as long as possible. In addition, certain models come equipped with intelligent technologies that provide an even more effective method of maintaining the voltage even when the power is out.
Digitized
There has been an ongoing effort by manufacturers to digitize all electrical appliances. That’s because it becomes much simpler to connect it to other devices when digitalizing an electrical appliance. The same goes for stabilizers as well. So you won’t have any trouble hooking it up to your refrigerator. In addition, it lowers the overall cost of the installation services you require.
Overload Protection
Suppose the load in your refrigerator is greater than what the stabilizer can manage. In that case, the appliance will overheat, increasing the fire risk. As a result, every stabilizer has a maximum voltage limit, above which it cannot regulate the voltage. This limit varies from model to model.
Stabilizers come equipped with an overload protection function designed to prevent the stabilizer from becoming overloaded. This feature extends the device’s useful life by preventing your stabilizer from becoming overloaded.
Do Refrigerators Come With Built-In Stabilizers?
No.
There are high and low-voltage cutoffs built into refrigerators for safety reasons. However, they do not have voltage stabilizers built into the device itself. Also, suppose the voltage in your region does not fluctuate significantly below or above the threshold at which the device can function. In that case, including a Stabilizer for the refrigerator is unnecessary.
How Does a Voltage Stabilizer for a Refrigerator Work?
Stabilizers are devices that measure energy wattage to stabilize it before it is fed to connected devices. If the power distribution voltage is low, your stabilizer will detect this, increase it to the mandatory voltage level, and give it to the connected equipment to function without any issues.
It will do this by recognizing the voltage fluctuations in the utility and regulating it internally to provide a steady output voltage range.
The stabilizers accomplish this through the utilization of electronic circuitry that, to generate the desired voltage, modifies, with the assistance of superior electromagnetic relays, the necessary taps of an internal autotransformer.
A mechanism will switch the necessary transformer tap if the supplied voltage is outside the range. This action will allow the voltage supply to be returned within the acceptable range.
The voltage fluctuations in the utility are continuously monitored and stabilized by the stabilizer, which means that it serves as a protective barrier between your equipment and the utility. It guarantees that your precious appliance gets a steady range of voltage as its input to guarantee a trouble-free function and a long life span for the appliance.
Are There Multiple-Phase Voltage Stabilizers?
Yes.
Multiple-phase voltage stabilizers are available, similar to single-phase and three-phase current supplies. However, you will only require using these three-phase voltage stabilizers if you are using a three-phase alternator or if you need to provide voltage stabilization for the entirety of the three-phase setup. The one-phase stabilizers are typically what our electronics and electrical appliances rely on to function properly because attaching the voltage stabilizer to the rest of your home’s electrical system is unnecessary. Electricity is also required to power these stabilizers. For example, suppose you only use one of these gadgets for an appliance, such as your air conditioner or television. In that case, you can always turn it off when it is not needed.
Should You Use an Individual Stabilizer Or a Consolidated Mainline Stabilizer?
A stabilizer may not be necessary to support all of your electrical devices. However, voltage stabilizers are an excellent investment to ensure the safety of high-priced home appliances like fridges, washers, TVs, and air conditioning units.
As the mechanism of a consolidated mainline stabilizer is distinct from that of a stabilizer, we recommend you use it with only computers. However, it would help if you don’t use mainline stabilizers because voltage stabilizers also intake a significant amount of electricity.
Will a Stabilizer Increase the Electricity Bill for My House?
A voltage stabilizer ensures that the appliance’s required voltage is always present. If the voltage goes too high or too low, it assists in bringing the voltage back up to its normal level. As a consequence of this, it won’t have a significant impact on the bill that is charged for the electricity.
Final Words
The Indian stabilizer market will grow by 8.1% during 2021-2030.
Finding and purchasing the appropriate voltage stabilizer for your pricey electrical and electronic appliances won’t present much of a challenge for you.
A quality stabilizer(like V Guard) will shield your refrigerator from the damaging effects of fluctuating voltage and extend its useful life. For that to work, however, the stabilizer must have the same power and voltage requirements as your refrigerator. After you have confirmed this, you will need to search for any additional features that provide greater bang for your buck.
