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Refrigeration Course
More than 2 million students worldwide

Refrigeration Course

4

Master the skills that keep commercial and industrial refrigeration systems running at peak performance. This course takes you from core thermodynamic principles through advanced diagnostics, system installation, and energy efficiency strategies. Whether you're entering the trade or levelling up your career, you'll finish with job-ready, hands-on knowledge employers demand.

Dedika for businesses

What you will learn:

You'll start with the fundamentals of heat transfer and the vapour-compression cycle, then move into refrigerant properties, safe handling procedures, and EPA compliance requirements. From there, you'll study every major system component, master electrical wiring and fault-finding, and learn correct installation and charging procedures. The course also covers systematic fault diagnosis, preventive maintenance planning, and commercial rack systems. You'll finish with training on low-GWP refrigerants, energy auditing, workplace safety, and professional customer communication skills.

How you study in practice Refrigeration Course

How you practise Refrigeration Course

For companies looking to train their teams

With Dedika for businesses, the course includes exercises and examples tailored to your own business and the way your company needs.

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Course content

8 Chapters • 40 LessonsDuration between 4 and 360 hours (you decide)

Chapter 1See details

Fundamentals of Refrigeration Science

  • Lesson 1 • Refrigeration Terminology and Units

    Defines industry-standard terms including tons of refrigeration, BTU, and COP. Ensures accurate communication throughout the course.

  • Lesson 2 • Pressure and Gas Laws

    Introduces Boyle's, Charles's, and Dalton's laws for gas behaviour. Provides the pressure-temperature foundation for refrigerant analysis.

  • Lesson 3 • Principles of Heat Transfer

    Examines conduction, convection, and radiation as they apply to refrigeration equipment. Connects heat movement to system efficiency.

  • Lesson 4 • Heat and Temperature Basics

    Covers sensible heat, latent heat, and temperature scales. Establishes the thermal concepts required for all subsequent refrigeration study.

  • Lesson 5 • The Basic Refrigeration Cycle

    Traces the vapour-compression cycle through its four stages. Connects thermodynamic laws to practical system operation.

Chapter 2See details

System Components and Their Functions

  • Lesson 1 • Condensers: Types and Performance

    Covers air-cooled, water-cooled, and evaporative condensers. Links condenser design to heat rejection efficiency and system head pressure.

  • Lesson 2 • Compressor Types and Operation

    Examines reciprocating, scroll, rotary, and screw compressors. Establishes how compression raises refrigerant pressure and temperature.

  • Lesson 3 • Auxiliary Components and Accessories

    Reviews filter-driers, sight glasses, accumulators, and oil separators. Shows how accessories protect system reliability and refrigerant quality.

  • Lesson 4 • Evaporators: Design and Function

    Describes direct-expansion and flooded evaporator configurations. Connects evaporator performance to refrigeration load and airflow.

  • Lesson 5 • Metering Devices and Expansion

    Analyses thermostatic expansion valves, electronic expansion valves, and fixed orifice devices. Connects metering device selection to superheat control.

Chapter 3See details

Refrigerants: Properties and Handling

  • Lesson 1 • Safe Refrigerant Handling Procedures

    Covers PPE selection, cylinder safety, and leak response protocols. Directly reduces risk of injury and environmental release during service.

  • Lesson 2 • Refrigerant Recovery, Recycling, and Reclaim

    Distinguishes recovery, recycling, and reclaim processes and equipment requirements. Ensures compliant refrigerant management at end of service.

  • Lesson 3 • Thermodynamic Properties of Refrigerants

    Analyses pressure-enthalpy diagrams and saturation tables for common refrigerants. Connects property data to cycle performance calculations.

  • Lesson 4 • Environmental and Safety Regulations

    Reviews ozone depletion, global warming potential, and regulatory phase-down requirements. Prepares technicians for compliant refrigerant management.

  • Lesson 5 • Refrigerant Classification Systems

    Explains ASHRAE numbering, safety groups, and refrigerant families. Enables correct identification of refrigerants encountered in the field.

Chapter 4See details

Electrical Systems in Refrigeration

  • Lesson 1 • Reading Wiring Diagrams

    Teaches schematic, ladder, and pictorial diagram interpretation. Enables technicians to trace circuits and verify correct wiring during installation and service.

  • Lesson 2 • Motors and Motor Protection

    Examines single-phase and three-phase motors, starting components, and overload protection. Connects motor selection to compressor and fan applications.

  • Lesson 3 • Electrical Troubleshooting Techniques

    Applies multimeter and clamp-meter diagnostics to refrigeration electrical faults. Integrates electrical knowledge with systematic fault isolation.

  • Lesson 4 • Control Devices and Switches

    Identifies thermostats, pressure switches, time-delay relays, and contactors. Explains how each device governs system start, stop, and safety functions.

  • Lesson 5 • Electrical Fundamentals Review

    Covers voltage, current, resistance, and Ohm's law as applied to refrigeration circuits. Provides the electrical baseline for all control and motor work.

Chapter 5See details

Refrigeration System Installation

  • Lesson 1 • Piping Design and Fabrication

    Addresses copper and steel pipe sizing, routing, and brazing techniques. Correct piping ensures oil return, minimal pressure drop, and leak-free joints.

  • Lesson 2 • Refrigerant Charging Procedures

    Covers charging by weight, sight glass, and superheat/subcooling methods. Correct charge level is critical to efficiency and equipment longevity.

  • Lesson 3 • Evacuation and Dehydration

    Explains deep vacuum procedures, micron gauge use, and triple evacuation. Removes moisture and non-condensable gases that degrade system performance.

  • Lesson 4 • System Startup and Commissioning

    Details pre-startup checks, initial run verification, and performance documentation. Confirms the installed system operates within design specifications.

  • Lesson 5 • Site Survey and Load Calculation

    Covers heat load estimation, equipment selection, and site assessment. Ensures system capacity matches application requirements before installation begins.

Chapter 6See details

System Diagnostics and Troubleshooting

  • Lesson 1 • Compressor Fault Diagnosis

    Identifies mechanical and electrical compressor failures through performance testing. Prevents unnecessary compressor replacement by confirming root cause.

  • Lesson 2 • Refrigerant Circuit Fault Analysis

    Diagnoses overcharge, undercharge, restriction, and non-condensable contamination. Applies PT analysis to isolate faults within the refrigerant circuit.

  • Lesson 3 • Electrical and Control Fault Diagnosis

    Traces electrical faults in motor circuits, control boards, and safety devices. Integrates electrical skills from Chapter 4 into refrigeration-specific diagnostics.

  • Lesson 4 • Pressure-Temperature Analysis

    Uses PT charts to identify abnormal operating conditions in the refrigerant circuit. Connects pressure and temperature readings to specific component faults.

  • Lesson 5 • Diagnostic Methodology and Tools

    Introduces structured fault-finding approaches and essential diagnostic instruments. Establishes a repeatable process that reduces diagnostic time and errors.

Chapter 7See details

Preventive Maintenance Programmes

  • Lesson 1 • Mechanical Maintenance Procedures

    Details compressor oil checks, belt tension, fan blade inspection, and vibration analysis. Prevents mechanical failures through systematic component inspection.

  • Lesson 2 • Refrigerant Circuit Maintenance

    Addresses leak checks, filter-drier replacement intervals, and refrigerant charge verification. Maintains refrigerant integrity and system efficiency over time.

  • Lesson 3 • Performance Trending and Analysis

    Uses logged operating data to detect performance degradation before failure occurs. Connects trend analysis to proactive maintenance decision-making.

  • Lesson 4 • Heat Exchanger Cleaning and Care

    Covers condenser coil cleaning, evaporator defrost verification, and water treatment for cooling towers. Restores heat transfer efficiency and prevents corrosion.

  • Lesson 5 • Maintenance Planning and Scheduling

    Covers maintenance interval determination, task prioritisation, and record-keeping systems. Connects planned maintenance to reduced emergency service calls.

Chapter 8See details

Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Systems

  • Lesson 1 • System Optimisation and Energy Management

    Applies floating head pressure, demand defrost, and variable-speed drives to reduce energy use. Integrates efficiency strategies across all system types studied.

  • Lesson 2 • Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Types

    Surveys walk-in coolers, display cases, reach-in units, and ice machines. Establishes the equipment landscape technicians encounter in commercial settings.

  • Lesson 3 • Industrial Refrigeration Fundamentals

    Introduces ammonia systems, large-tonnage chillers, and industrial process cooling. Highlights differences in scale, refrigerant, and safety requirements.

  • Lesson 4 • Chiller Systems and Controls

    Covers centrifugal, screw, and absorption chillers along with building automation integration. Connects chiller operation to HVAC and process cooling applications.

  • Lesson 5 • Multiplex and Rack Systems

    Explains parallel compressor racks, case controllers, and centralised refrigeration systems. Connects rack system design to energy efficiency and serviceability.

Certification

Your valid completion certificate

This course is for you:

  • Maintenance technician: manages commercial equipment but lacks formal refrigeration training.

  • HVAC apprentice: wants specialised refrigeration knowledge to accelerate career growth.

  • Career changer: seeks a skilled trade with strong long-term employment prospects.

  • Facilities manager: needs technical fluency to oversee refrigeration contractors confidently.

  • Recent trade school graduate: ready to deepen knowledge beyond introductory coursework.

  • Small business owner: services light commercial equipment and wants to expand capabilities.

What our students say

Your lessons are perfect. I purchased the one-year package and finally have the opportunity to follow various topics of my interest without needing to change platforms... I thank you for everything you do, I've already recommended you to other people...
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Giulio CarloDigital Marketing Student
I like how the lessons are straight to the point and how I can change chapters and skip content I don't need.
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Mariana FerresPhotography Student
I like the content and the way videos are presented and transcribed, which speeds up the process!
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Luciana AlvarengaNail Design Student
The platform is fast, simple to use. The diversity of content and complementary videos help a lot with learning.
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