Fridge Freezer - Socket Advice

[TheEraser]

Hi All

I'm looking for some advice. I broke my old integrated fridge freezer chiseling out ice - school boy error!

The old appliance was connected into a round junction box which in turn was plugged into a double socket (pictures attached).

I understand I shouldn't cut the plug off the new appliance as this will void the warranty. From searching the web I'm unsure whether I'm ok installing a single socket with back box which I'd screw into the shelf underneath the fridge freezer. An alternative looks to be a trailing socket.

Any advice would be appreciated!

Thanks, Pete

 

[EFLImpudence]

I understand I shouldn't cut the plug off the new appliance as this will void the warranty.

Nonsense.

From searching the web I'm unsure whether I'm ok installing a single socket with back box which I'd screw into the shelf underneath the fridge freezer. An alternative looks to be a trailing socket.

Whichever you want.

Or a modern junction box with cable restraints or another method of securing the cables.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Or one of these:

https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-nc103w-10a-3-pin-connector-white/763xf

Pins to fridge side.

 

[Sureitsoff?]

how about one of these just in case the fridge leaks water from condensation or the tray on top of the motor overflows

IP68 Plug & Socket Waterproof Connector 3 Pole

 

[TheEraser]

Rung Fridgemaster to check the warranty and they said it would void it cutting off the plug!

I'm therefore thinking I'll go with a socket. Sounds like I might be best getting a waterproof one just in case.

 

[pete01]

https://www.cef.co.uk/catalogue/products/4822541-13a-1-gang-rubber-trailing-socket-white

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I understand I shouldn't cut the plug off the new appliance as this will void the warranty.

Nope, shouldn't make any difference to the warranty at all.

 

[TheEraser]

I know I thought that and the phone call was unclear but she did say after speaking to an advisor that is have to pay a fee for a repair if I remove the plug

 

[EFLImpudence]

Rung Fridgemaster to check the warranty and they said it would void it cutting off the plug!

They are lying to you.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I know I thought that and the phone call was unclear but she did say after speaking to an advisor that is have to pay a fee for a repair if I remove the plug

The subject of warrantees and removal of plugs, has been covered numerous times on here. It will not void the warranty, but if you do need to make a claim, just fit a 13amp plug back on the end of the flex.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Or after a few years tell them the plug got damaged and you want a new fridge.

 

[ericmark]

There is a whole load of bumph written in instruction manuals, often back 30 years ago there was a good reason, but today no longer valid.

One of these will get around the problem of not cutting off the plug, but many refrigeration units are very voltage critical so common for them to say don't use an extension lead.

Even my inverter drive fridge/freezer and freezer still say don't use an extension lead, even when they can work with a huge volt drop.

Upright freezers tend to come in three types.
1) The evaporator forming shelves in the freezer, easy damaged as you have found out, needs regular defrosting, and the temperature can vary within the freezer, as no circulating fan.
2) The evaporator is housed in a void behind the food compartment, meaning draws can be removed to get large food in at Christmas for example, and the evaporator can be de-iced switching off the fan, so only that is de-iced, and the food stays cold, and the fan also means whole freezer at the same temperature in the main.

Both above use a single phase motor, and it has to get up to speed before the pressure raises, or it will stall, so supply voltage is critical, and you should not use a long extension lead.

3) Inverter drive, this means a three-phase motor, unlikely to stall, very little inrush on starting, less shaking on start up, so likely will last longer, these are again subdivided into:-
A) motor switches on/off.
B) motor speed varies and it runs all the time. (Not normally found in domestic versions).

The third group, unlikely to have a problem with an extension lead. But first two, the BS 1362 fuse has some resistance so being duplicated at start up with is likely around 5 to 7 amps, it can increase the volt drop, although very unlikely.

But unless you suffer from excessive volt drop, then highly unlikely to be a problem.

 

[pete01]

Or one of these:

View attachment 391602

https://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-nc103w-10a-3-pin-connector-white/763xf

Pins to fridge side.

Cut the plug off and put a different type plug on?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Better than the loose junction box.

 

[morqthana]

I understand I shouldn't cut the plug off the new appliance as this will void the warranty.

No, it won't.

Rung Fridgemaster to check the warranty and they said it would void it cutting off the plug!

They are being untruthful.

I know I thought that and the phone call was unclear but she did say after speaking to an advisor that is have to pay a fee for a repair if I remove the plug

She was not telling you the truth.


Except, of course...

Nope, shouldn't make any difference to the warranty at all.

If, even though there is zero legal basis for it, they flatly refuse to honour the warranty, and the only recourse the customer has left is to take them to court to force them to honour it, what then, in reality?