Frigitek EC Motor Controller
Frigitek is a product which can save substantial amounts of energy and cost in refrigeration systems. It features two-speed operation of the evaporator fans - high speed during cooling, and low speed when not cooling. Frigitek is not a VFD.
How it Works
The Frigitek EC Motor Controller functions by sensing the operational status of the cooling system, and controls the speed of the EC evaporator fans. When the thermostat is satisfied and the compressor cycles off, the Frigitek controller will sense the compressor off cycle and will switch the motors to the slower speed. It does not require a refrigeration specialist for installation.
Source of Savings
Beyond the basic electrical saving, when we reduce the voltage to the motor, there is also a large reduction in the heat output from the motor. In fact, for shaded-pole motors (used in most small walk-in refrigerators) the heat reduction is the source of most of the savings.
The heat reduction is important because the compressor will operate less once the Frigitek is in place. The heat from the motors (all of which goes into the cooled chamber) must be removed by the compressor system. If we put less heat into the chamber, the compressor doesn't have to run as much - it's as simple as that!
A series of tests have been done on some of the most widely-used motors to see how much heat they produced, and how much that heat could be reduced by the Frigitek. The results show conclusively that most of the electricity used by single-phase motors is converted directly to heat, and that the Frigitek dramatically reduces the heat from the motors.
Application
Frigitek controllers are available for single-phase refrigerators and freezers, such as those used in convenience stores and restaurants, and for three-phase industrial-size refrigerators and freezers.
Return on Investment
Typical return on investment for a Frigitek system, including cost of installation, is typically under 20 months. In areas where energy costs are high, it can be closer to 12 months.