Commercial Refrigeration Technician Course

Lesson 1 • Heat Transfer Principles

Covers conduction, convection, and radiation as they apply to refrigeration. Establishes the physical basis for all cooling system design decisions.

Lesson 2 • Refrigerants: Types and Properties

Surveys common refrigerant families and their thermodynamic properties. Prepares technicians to select and handle refrigerants correctly.

Lesson 3 • The Refrigeration Cycle Explained

Traces the vapor-compression cycle through each stage. Connects thermodynamic theory to physical component functions.

Lesson 4 • Pressure and Temperature Relationships

Examines how pressure and temperature interact in refrigerants. Provides the diagnostic foundation for reading gauges and interpreting system behavior.

Lesson 1 • Motors, Contactors, and Starters

Covers single-phase and three-phase motor types used in compressors and fans. Connects motor theory to real-world starting and protection circuits.

Lesson 2 • Reading Wiring Diagrams and Schematics

Teaches interpretation of ladder diagrams and pictorial schematics. Enables technicians to trace circuits and locate faults efficiently.

Lesson 3 • Electrical Safety and Lockout Procedures

Establishes safe work practices before any electrical task. Prevents injury and equipment damage throughout all subsequent electrical work.

Lesson 4 • Basic Electrical Theory

Reviews voltage, current, resistance, and power as applied to refrigeration circuits. Provides the quantitative tools needed for accurate diagnosis.

Lesson 1 • Compressor Types and Operation

Surveys reciprocating, scroll, screw, and rotary compressors. Connects compressor design to capacity, efficiency, and application suitability.

Lesson 2 • Condensers and Heat Rejection

Covers air-cooled, water-cooled, and evaporative condensers. Explains how condenser selection affects system efficiency and installation requirements.

Lesson 3 • Metering Devices and Expansion

Details thermostatic expansion valves, electronic expansion valves, and fixed orifice devices. Establishes how metering devices control refrigerant flow and superheat.

Lesson 4 • Evaporators and Display Cases

Examines evaporator coil designs and commercial display case configurations. Links evaporator selection to product temperature and humidity requirements.

Lesson 1 • Leak Detection Methods

Surveys electronic, UV dye, and soap bubble leak detection tools. Connects leak detection skill to regulatory compliance and system longevity.

Lesson 2 • Refrigerant Charging Techniques

Details vapor and liquid charging methods for various refrigerant types. Ensures correct charge levels for optimal system performance.

Lesson 3 • Regulatory Requirements for Refrigerants

Outlines technician certification requirements and refrigerant venting prohibitions. Establishes the legal and environmental context for all handling tasks.

Lesson 4 • System Evacuation and Dehydration

Teaches deep vacuum procedures to remove moisture and non-condensables. Directly prevents acid formation and compressor failure after service.

Lesson 1 • Site Assessment and Planning

Covers load calculations, equipment placement, and utility requirements. Prevents costly installation errors through thorough pre-installation planning.

Lesson 2 • Electrical Connections and Wiring

Covers power wiring, control wiring, and grounding for commercial units. Connects proper wiring practice to equipment protection and code compliance.

Lesson 3 • System Startup and Commissioning

Guides technicians through initial charge, control setup, and performance verification. Ensures the system meets design conditions before handover.

Lesson 4 • Pressure Testing and Leak Checking

Establishes nitrogen pressure test procedures before refrigerant introduction. Confirms system integrity and prevents contamination of new refrigerant.

Lesson 1 • Compressor Fault Diagnosis

Covers electrical and mechanical compressor failure modes and their indicators. Enables accurate compressor condemnation or clearance decisions.

Lesson 2 • Refrigerant-Side System Faults

Diagnoses overcharge, undercharge, moisture, and non-condensable contamination. Connects refrigerant-side symptoms to root causes and corrective actions.

Lesson 3 • Interpreting Gauge Manifold Readings

Teaches how to connect gauges and interpret suction and discharge pressures. Links pressure readings to specific system faults.

Lesson 4 • Electrical and Control Faults

Addresses motor failures, contactor faults, and control board malfunctions. Builds confidence in electrical diagnosis without unnecessary component replacement.

Lesson 1 • Compressor and Motor Maintenance

Covers oil sampling, vibration checks, and electrical testing for compressors and motors. Identifies wear before catastrophic failure occurs.

Lesson 2 • Defrost System Maintenance

Reviews defrost heater, timer, and termination thermostat inspection procedures. Prevents ice buildup that degrades product temperature and airflow.

Lesson 3 • Condenser and Evaporator Cleaning

Details coil cleaning methods, chemical selection, and safety precautions. Restores heat transfer efficiency and prevents premature component failure.

Lesson 4 • Maintenance Planning and Scheduling

Covers how to build maintenance intervals based on equipment type and usage. Connects proactive scheduling to reduced total cost of ownership.

Lesson 1 • Centralized Monitoring and Controls

Covers energy management systems, remote monitoring, and alarm response. Enables technicians to manage multiple sites and respond to faults proactively.

Lesson 2 • CO2 Refrigeration Systems

Covers transcritical and subcritical CO2 cycle operation and safety requirements. Prepares technicians for the growing adoption of natural refrigerant systems.

Lesson 3 • Secondary Loop and Glycol Systems

Examines indirect refrigeration using secondary coolant loops. Reduces refrigerant charge and leak risk in large commercial installations.

Lesson 4 • Heat Reclaim and Energy Recovery

Details desuperheater and condenser heat reclaim configurations. Demonstrates how recovered heat reduces facility energy costs.