Heavy Losses from Sudden Cold Storage Unit Failure? Preventive Maintenance Eliminates Shutdown Risks

          Zhao, who runs a community group-buying warehouse, once suffered heavy losses due to a sudden cold storage unit failure: at 3 a.m., the unit's compressor suddenly shut down, leaving a warehouse of fresh fruits and vegetables in high temperature for 5 hours, resulting in a direct loss of over 80,000 yuan. Later, the maintenance technician told him that this failure could have been avoided in advance—good preventive maintenance can significantly reduce the risk of sudden shutdowns.

          For businesses relying on cold storage, sudden unit failure means huge losses. Doing a good job of preventive maintenance is the key to preventing problems before they occur, and these crucial steps cannot be ignored:

          First, establish a maintenance account and record operating data regularly. Record data such as the unit's operating time, evaporation temperature, condensation temperature, current and voltage every day, and judge the unit's status through changes in data. For example, a sudden increase in current may be due to a clogged condenser or excessive refrigerant—timely inspection can avoid the expansion of faults.

          Second, focus on checking vulnerable components. Components such as bearings, belts, and contactors of the unit are prone to wear and tear, so it is recommended to inspect them every six months. Add special lubricating oil to bearings with insufficient oil, adjust the tension or replace loose belts, and clean or replace oxidized contacts of contactors. Small problems with these vulnerable components can easily lead to major failures if not handled in a timely manner.

         Third, perform seasonal maintenance. In high-temperature summer, strengthen the cleaning of the condenser to enhance heat dissipation and prevent the compressor from shutting down due to overheat protection. In low-temperature winter, check the unit's anti-freezing measures to prevent freezing and clogging of drainage pipes, and adjust the thermostat parameters to adapt to the operating needs in low-temperature environments.

         Fourth, maintenance after long-term shutdown. If the unit needs to be shut down due to off-season or renovation, do not just cut off the power and ignore it. Before shutdown, empty the refrigerant or maintain system pressure, and start the unit to run for 30 minutes every month to lubricate the components, avoiding aging of seals and corrosion of pipelines caused by long-term inactivity.

Since Zhao established a sound preventive maintenance system and assigned special personnel to be responsible for daily maintenance, the cold storage unit has not experienced any sudden failures in two years, and he can save nearly 10,000 yuan in maintenance costs every year. For cold chain businesses, preventive maintenance is not a hassle but an important line of defense to ensure stable business operations.