Short answer
Usually it is not the freezer that fails but the circuit it is on, because of another appliance on that same circuit or an RCD that trips. So put the freezer and fridge on a dedicated circuit, or at least not together with the washing machine and the outside tap. A temperature alarm or a smart plug warns you before it is too late.
Who this article is for Anyone who has ever had to empty a freezer into the bin, or wants to avoid it.
Usually it is not the appliance that fails
A freezer rarely just breaks down. What does happen:
- the RCD trips because of another appliance on the same circuit, often the washing machine, the dryer or something outside
- the breaker trips because that circuit is overloaded
- someone pulled the plug out to vacuum and did not put it back
- a power cut in the street after which everything worked again except that one appliance that came back on standby
I come across the last two more often than the first.
What you can do about it
A dedicated circuit. Fridge and freezer on their own circuit with their own RCBO. If something trips elsewhere, the freezer keeps running.
Not on the same RCD as outdoors. Damp outdoors is the most common cause of a tripping RCD. See washing machine trips the circuit.
A socket you recognise. A marked socket behind the freezer, with a sticker, stops anyone pulling it out for the vacuum cleaner.
Knowing that it happens
There are three simple ways:
The first two warn you in time, the third tells you afterwards what happened.
| Method | What it does |
|---|---|
| Temperature alarm in the freezer | sends a message when the temperature rises |
| Smart plug with energy monitoring | sees that no more current is flowing |
| Coin on a frozen tub of water | see afterwards whether it has thawed |
That last one costs nothing: put a coin on a frozen tub of water. If it is at the bottom when you get home, the freezer has thawed.
How long it stays good
A closed freezer lasts about eight to twenty-four hours, depending on how full it is. Full is better than half full. A fridge lasts less, about four to six hours.
If it has thawed and you do not know for how long, throw it away. Meat and fish that have thawed and been refrozen are not reliable.
When you are away for longer
Set the freezer a degree colder before you leave, make sure it is full and have someone check halfway through. And put it on a dedicated circuit, because that is the only thing that really helps.
From my own work
A family in Meerssen came back from holiday to a freezer full of spoilt food. The RCD had tripped because of the pond pump outside, and the freezer was on the same RCD. The freezer now has a dedicated circuit with its own RCBO, and there is an alarm inside that sends a message if the temperature rises.
When to call an electrician
- The freezer is on the same circuit as the washing machine or the garden
- You want a dedicated circuit for the fridge and freezer
- You are going away for a longer time and want peace of mind
A dedicated circuit is usually a half-day job. Request a quote or call +31 43 204 18 26.
Frequently asked questions
How long will my freezer stay cold without power?
About eight to twenty-four hours if you keep it closed. A full freezer lasts considerably longer than a half-full one.
Should the fridge be on a dedicated circuit?
Recommended. If something trips elsewhere, your cooling keeps running. Especially if you are often away for longer.
Can thawed food be refrozen?
Not meat and fish. If you do not know how long it has been thawed, throw it away.
Further reading
RCD keeps tripping: how to find the cause yourself
Usually it is one appliance and not your installation. In four steps you find out yourself which one, and you read exactly where it stops and you need to call.
Lights flickering or dimming: what it tells you
Flickering in one light is usually the bulb or the dimmer. Flickering throughout the house is a reason to measure.
The circuit breaker trips: overload or short circuit
A breaker that only trips after a while points to overload. If it trips straight away, it is a short circuit.
Questions and comments
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