Basic Refrigeration Course

Lesson 1 • Heat and Temperature Basics

Covers sensible heat, latent heat, and the difference between heat and temperature. Establishes the thermal foundation required for all refrigeration concepts.

Lesson 2 • Pressure and Its Role in Refrigeration

Explains absolute and gauge pressure and how pressure affects boiling points. Connects pressure concepts directly to refrigerant behaviour in a system.

Lesson 3 • States of Matter and Phase Change

Examines how refrigerants transition between liquid and vapour states. Directly links phase change to the cooling effect produced in a refrigeration system.

Lesson 1 • Safe Refrigerant Handling Procedures

Details personal protective equipment, cylinder handling, and leak response protocols. Ensures compliance with safety standards and minimises exposure risk.

Lesson 2 • Recovery, Recycling, and Reclaiming

Explains the three-step process for managing used refrigerant and regulatory obligations. Prepares learners to handle refrigerant disposal responsibly and legally.

Lesson 3 • Classification of Refrigerants

Surveys refrigerant families including CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, and natural refrigerants. Builds awareness of environmental impact and regulatory phase-out timelines.

Lesson 1 • Hand Tools and Specialty Tools

Identifies wrenches, tube cutters, flaring tools, and swaging tools used in refrigeration. Proper tool selection prevents component damage and ensures leak-free connections.

Lesson 2 • Electronic Diagnostic Instruments

Covers digital thermometers, electronic leak detectors, and refrigerant identifiers. These instruments improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce refrigerant loss during service.

Lesson 3 • Personal and Job-Site Safety

Establishes PPE requirements, confined space awareness, and hazard communication standards. Safety compliance protects technicians and meets employer and regulatory obligations.

Lesson 1 • Compressors: Types and Operation

Covers reciprocating, rotary, scroll, and screw compressor designs and operating principles. Connects compressor type to system capacity and application suitability.

Lesson 2 • Metering Devices and Flow Control

Introduces thermostatic expansion valves, capillary tubes, and electronic expansion valves. Explains how each device regulates refrigerant flow to maintain proper evaporator superheat.

Lesson 3 • Auxiliary Components and Accessories

Covers filter-driers, sight glasses, accumulators, and receivers and their protective roles. Shows how accessories safeguard compressors and maintain system reliability.

Lesson 4 • Condensers and Heat Rejection

Examines air-cooled, water-cooled, and evaporative condenser designs and their heat rejection roles. Links condenser performance to system efficiency and head pressure.

Lesson 1 • Control Circuits and Wiring Diagrams

Teaches ladder diagram interpretation, thermostat wiring, and contactor operation. Enables learners to trace control logic and verify correct circuit connections.

Lesson 2 • Electrical Measurement and Testing

Covers multimeter use, clamp meter readings, and megohmmeter testing for motor insulation. Builds the measurement skills required for accurate electrical diagnosis.

Lesson 3 • Basic Electrical Concepts

Reviews voltage, current, resistance, and Ohm's Law as applied to refrigeration circuits. Provides the electrical vocabulary needed to interpret system wiring diagrams.

Lesson 4 • Motors and Motor Controls

Explains single-phase and three-phase motor types, starting components, and overload protection. Connects motor selection and protection to reliable compressor and fan operation.

Lesson 1 • Evacuation and Dehydration

Explains deep vacuum procedures, micron gauge use, and triple evacuation technique. Proper evacuation removes moisture and non-condensables that degrade system performance.

Lesson 2 • Component Mounting and Placement

Addresses proper location, clearance, and vibration isolation for condensers, evaporators, and compressors. Correct placement maximises airflow, serviceability, and equipment lifespan.

Lesson 3 • Leak Testing and Pressure Testing

Details nitrogen pressure testing, standing pressure tests, and electronic leak detection methods. Leak-free systems are verified before refrigerant is introduced to prevent loss.

Lesson 4 • Copper Tubing and Piping Practices

Covers tube sizing, cutting, bending, and brazing techniques for refrigerant piping. Correct piping practices prevent leaks, oil trapping, and pressure drop problems.

Lesson 1 • Interpreting Pressure and Temperature Data

Teaches how to read pressure-temperature charts and identify abnormal operating conditions. Pressure and temperature relationships reveal overcharge, undercharge, and airflow faults.

Lesson 2 • Refrigerant Charge Fault Diagnosis

Distinguishes overcharge, undercharge, and non-condensable contamination using gauge readings. Correct charge diagnosis prevents unnecessary refrigerant addition or removal.

Lesson 3 • Compressor Fault Diagnosis

Identifies compressor failures including mechanical wear, valve failure, and electrical faults. Early compressor diagnosis prevents costly secondary damage to the refrigeration system.

Lesson 4 • Electrical and Control Fault Diagnosis

Covers diagnosis of failed contactors, capacitors, thermostats, and pressure controls. Electrical faults are isolated using systematic voltage and continuity testing.

Lesson 1 • Controls and Safety Device Verification

Tests high-pressure cutouts, low-pressure cutouts, oil failure controls, and defrost timers. Verified safety devices protect equipment and personnel from hazardous operating conditions.

Lesson 2 • Service Documentation and Reporting

Establishes standards for service reports, refrigerant logs, and equipment history records. Accurate documentation supports warranty claims, regulatory compliance, and future diagnostics.

Lesson 3 • Condenser and Evaporator Maintenance

Details coil cleaning, fin straightening, and airflow verification for condensers and evaporators. Clean heat exchangers restore system efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

Lesson 4 • Compressor and Oil System Service

Covers oil level checks, oil analysis, crankcase heater verification, and compressor belt inspection. Proper lubrication maintenance is the single greatest factor in compressor longevity.