While not damaged as often as the control board, the compressor can also be damaged by a powerful high voltage surge. Refrigerators with a damaged control board can often be repaired, as the board is relatively inexpensive and easy to replace on its own.Ī control board with visual electrical surge damage Therefore, it is easily damaged when a surge of electrical current creates excessive heat. The control board is the most sensitive component in the refrigerator. Three components in particular that we often see damaged by a high voltage surge are the control board, the compressor, and the ice maker. This surge generates an excessive amount of heat, which can damage multiple parts of the refrigerator. When there is an increase in voltage from a power surge, it causes an inrush of electrical current within the refrigerator. High Voltage Surge was the leading cause of peril to refrigerators assessed by StrikeCheck last year. Refrigerator Damage Caused by High Voltage Surge The two leading causes of refrigerator damage, in claims assigned to StrikeCheck for independent investigations, are high voltage surge and wear & tear. While the average lifespan of a standard, full-size refrigerator is around 17 years ( SF Gate), one-time occurrences or a lack of maintenance can drastically decrease their longevity. It’s no wonder that refrigerators were the most common appliance we assessed last year, accounting for 41% of appliance claims. Nearly 100% of American homes contain a refrigerator, making it the most commonly owned appliance ( CNN Money) in the country. You need to know whether or not the refrigerator can be repaired, and you need to establish food-spoilage coverage and estimate total claim costs. As many adjusters know, a damaged refrigerator can quickly become a headache, since damage to this common appliance can require a lot of complex research. Often, we don’t think about what causes refrigerator damage until it’s too late. They run constantly and are arguably the home’s most important appliance. Hardworking refrigerators are often taken for granted.

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