What are the main parts of a refrigerator?

Here or definitions of the parts you’ll find in the control and cooling systems of refrigerators:

Compressor

The compressor is a positive displacement pump rotated by an electric motor. The compressor receives low-pressure refrigerant gas from the evaporator and rotates to compress that refrigerant to a high-pressure gas that moves through the condenser.

Compressor Start Relay

The compressor start relay starts the compressor and shuts off the compressor if the motor overheats. Replace the start relay if it's defective. View our How to Replace a Refrigerator Compressor Start Relay video to see how to replace this part when it’s defective.

Overload/PTC relay

The overload/PTC relay starts the compressor motor. It has 2 components: an overload protector that trips when the compressor motor overheats or locks up, and a relay. The relay completes the circuits to both the Start Windings and the Run Windings in the compressor motor. Once the motor is started, the relay de-energizes the Start Winding circuit so the compressor motor continues to run using just the run windings.

Condenser

The condenser contains heat-exchanging coils that cool down the hot refrigerant leaving the compressor.

Condenser fan

The condenser fan is in the machine compartment of the refrigerator next to the compressor. It moves air across the condenser coils to help cool the hot refrigerant coming out of the compressor. The refrigerant is cooled before it moves through the expansion device and into the evaporator.

Evaporator

The evaporator is the heat exchanger that provides the cooling for the refrigerator. This is accomplished with the help of low pressure liquid refrigerant that moves through the evaporator. The evaporator is kept at low pressure so that the liquid refrigerant evaporates and turns to vapor. The latent heat of vaporization is absorbed from the air that is blown across the metal fins in the evaporator. The air is cooled down as it blows across the metal fins which produces the refrigeration cooling process.

Evaporator fan

The evaporator fan is mounted on the evaporator assembly. It moves air across the evaporator fins and through the refrigerator cabinet for cooling.

Evaporator drip tray

The evaporator drip tray is a metal collection pan under the refrigerator evaporator. Sometimes referred to as an evaporator drip pan, it collects water that drips from the evaporator fins during the defrost cycle. The collected condensate water drains from evaporator drip tray through a drip tube to a drain pan at the bottom of the refrigerator in the machine compartment next to the compressor. The heat and air flow evaporates the condensate from the drain pan before the next defrost cycle begins.

Defrost timer

The defrost timer is an electro-mechanical timer that controls the intervals between automatic defrost cycles in the refrigerator. The defrost timer motor runs and moves the components in the device. When the contacts for the defrost cycle are engaged, the compressor stops and the defrost heater turns on briefly to melt frost from the evaporator fins. Removing the frost promotes a more efficient exchange of heat across that component. When the fins are defrosted, the contacts disengage, allowing normal cooling in the refrigerator.

Temperature control thermostat

The temperature control thermostat is mounted in the control housing area and controls the temperature inside the refrigerator. It turns on and shuts off the compressor as needed to maintain the set temperature in the refrigerator. The thermostat has a temperature sensor tube that detects the actual temperature in the refrigerator compartment and controls the temperature based on the reading from that sensor.

Refrigerator electronic control board

The refrigerator electronic control board controls the major electro-mechanical components in the refrigerator. When the electronic control board senses the compressor needs to run to cool the refrigerator, it sends voltage to the compressor and fans. It then receives input from temperature sensors to monitor the temperatures inside the refrigerator and freezer sections. With this information, the electronic control board controls the defrost cycle.

Thermistor

The thermistor is a temperature sensor within the refrigerator that sends information to the electronic control board.

Defrost Heater

The refrigerator defrost heater melts frost from the freezer’s evaporator fins. Replace the defrost heater if it doesn't heat when activated.

Defrost sensor

The defrost sensor—also known as the defrost bi-metal thermostat—shuts off the refrigerator defrost heater if the heater gets hot enough to damage the evaporator.

Defrost control assembly

This component has the defrost thermistor (temperature sensor) and the thermal fuse for the defrost heating element. The thermistor monitors the temperature of the evaporator during the automatic defrost process. Once the thermistor detects that the frost is all melted off of the evaporator, the heating element shuts off. If the sensor malfunctions and the evaporator begins to overheat, the fuse cuts off electrical power to the heater to protect the evaporator from damage.

Defrost Thermistor

The defrost thermistor attaches to the evaporator coil and measures the evaporator coil temperature during defrost.

Defrost drain tube

As part of the defrost cycle, the defrost drain tube transfers condensate that collects in the evaporator drip tray under the evaporator to the drain pan near the compressor, where the water evaporates.

Defrost drain pan

The drain pan collects condensate water from the defrost cycle. It's located in the machine compartment of the refrigerator, next to the compressor. The defrost system melts frost and ice from the evaporator fins about every 8 hours to increase the efficiency of the evaporator heat exchanger. The condensate water that drips from the evaporator during that process collects in the evaporator drip tray and then is routed to the drain pan through a drain tube. The drain pan collects the condensate, which is evaporated by the heat and air flow in the machine compartment before the next defrost cycle begins.

Defrost drain heat probe

The defrost drain probe device is an extension of metal attached to the bottom of the defrost heater in the refrigerator. The metal extension tab extends to the opening of the evaporator drip tray where the defrost drain tube is attached. It transmits warmth from the defrost heater to the area near the defrost drain tube area to prevent freezing. If that area of the evaporator drip tray does freeze, the path becomes clogged, preventing condensate water from flowing down the drain tube to the defrost drain pan.

Refrigerator storage parts

Storage components hold and help organize items inside the refrigerator and freezer. Storage parts include shelves, drawers and refrigerator door bins. Sears PartsDirect has replacement storage parts for all brands and types of refrigerators. To find a replacement storage part that fits your fridge, key the refrigerator model number in the search bar at the top of the page then find the part you need on the parts list diagram.

Ice maker and dispenser parts

It’s frustrating when your ice maker or dispenser stops working. When your ice maker or dispenser give out on you, try using the tips in our How to prevent water dispenser and ice maker problems article to fix the problem.

If you’re not able to fix the problem using those tips, then you may need to replace one of these parts:

Ice maker

The ice maker is a complete assembly that contains the ice mold and the control device. It plugs into a wire harness in the freezer or the ice compartment. The ice maker receives water from the inlet water valve and then holds the water in the ice mold until the water is frozen solid. It then automatically ejects the ice and refills to continue the process until the ice storage bucket is detected as full.

Water inlet valve

The water flow into the refrigerator is controlled by an electrically operated water inlet valve, which is usually located in the machine compartment at the bottom, back of the refrigerator. This valve has a coil that opens the valve and allows water to flow into the refrigerator water system when the valve is open. When voltage is shut off to the valve, the valve closes and prevents water from flowing into the water system in the refrigerator.

Water filter

The refrigerator water filter is installed in the filter housing and has carbon and/or other filter materials inside. It removes most sediment and other impurities from the water supplied to the refrigerator. Manufacturers recommend replacing the water filter every 6 months or when the water filter replacement reminder on your control turns on.

Dispenser control board

The dispenser control board activates the water and ice dispenser components to dispense ice or water when you press the activation pads on the freezer door. The dispenser control board also shuts off the dispenser functions when you open the freezer door in side-by-side refrigerators or a refrigerator door in French-door fridges.

Ice dispenser motor

The ice dispenser motor spins the auger that pushes ice through the dispenser door when you press the ice dispenser lever.

Refrigerators also have many other parts such as door switches and lights. Gaskets and seals inside the refrigerator help keep cold air in and warm out of the fridge. You can order any of these parts from our Sears PartsDirect website. To get the right part for your model, look up the replacement part using the model number of your refrigerator.

Many of the parts in the sealed cooling system such as the compressor, condenser and evaporator should only be replaced by a service technician because the repair involves recovering and recharging refrigerant in the sealed refrigerant system. You should also have a service technician diagnose and repair any refrigerator problem that you aren’t able to fix yourself or that you don’t feel confident that you can safely repair yourself.

To keep your refrigerator in top shape, schedule Cleaning and Maintenance Service annually. Regular maintenance of your refrigerator can help prevent costly breakdowns and extend the life of your fridge.