Energy & Power, Heating, Cooling & Drying

Ultra-Low Temperature Freezer Maintenance:

What to Check When Your ULT Freezer Fails

Phil Black - PII Editor 14/01/2022

310 2 minutes read

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Ultra-low temperature (ULT) freezers are capable of holding biological specimens, drugs, and samples, at low temperatures between -30- and -40-degrees Fahrenheit. They are most commonly used in laboratories to store tissue samples, enzymes, drugs, and more, for research and clinical purposes.

When purchasing a new ULT freezer, you can spend a lot of time looking at the pros and cons of each model and researching how they work. However, it can also be worth finding out what to do when your freezer fails, or to prevent that from happening.

Talk to Your Lease Company

After browsing a list of low temp freezer manufacturers, you may have decided to lease your lab equipment. Doing so often means you don’t have to worry about repairs and maintenance.

Generally, lease plans with some of the best companies include corrective repair coverage and preventative maintenance. When you notice a problem, you can outsource repairs to a business that understands how to fix it.

Check the Compressor

You may have noticed that information about ULT freezer compressors is quite detailed. This is because it’s one of the most crucial components of such a freezer. If your freezer has failed and you’re unsure why that is, examine the compressor first. You may need to purchase a new one from a lab service provider.

Look At the Gaskets, Seals, and Doors

Many fluids and solids need to be stored at low temperatures to maintain their integrity, which is why ULT freezers are among the most popular purchases for laboratories. However, if you’ve noticed that your freezer isn’t holding a consistent temperature, and it’s higher than it should be, your gaskets, seals, or even the doors, may be to blame.

Check the alignment of latches and handles to see if cold air can escape. If that doesn’t seem to be the problem, check the gaskets. When gaskets are old, perished, or dirty, they may not keep cold air inside the freezer. You may be able to prevent wear and tear in this area by wiping down dirt and dust monthly and checking for ice build-up, cracks, tears, and warping.

Defrost the ULT Freezer

Your ULT freezer’s sole purpose is to keep its contents completely cold. However, maintaining such cold temperatures can cause internal components to fail, such as the evaporator.

Evaporators remove warm air to maintain the cold environment. With time, this evaporator can collect condensation, which turns to frost. Eventually, a layer of frost can cover the entire evaporator and stop it from being able to do its job. Defrost your freezer at least twice annually to potentially prevent this problem and make your freezer more efficient.

Consider the Condenser

While not always the problem when your ULT freezer fails, the condenser can cause issues. Sometimes, a condenser coil can leak refrigerant fluid, and the fan is also known to get stuck.

Often, cleaning the condenser, replacing the blade or motor of the fan, or installing a new filter can solve the problem. However, it’s worth ruling out other less invasive issues like the evaporator and gaskets before resorting to condenser repairs.

ULT freezers are high-quality units that have an essential job to do. If you’re experiencing problems with your freezer, check these parts above or consult your supplier for more information.