The following is a detailed refrigeration cycle as it applies to the refrigeration system in vending machines.

As the air temperature in the cabinet rises, the electronic temperature sensor reports the air temperature to the electronic controller. The electronic controller actuates the refrigeration control relay, which turns on both the compressor and condenser fan motor.

The evaporator fan pulls air from the front of the refrigerated space of the cabinet. It pulls the air through the evaporator, and blows it up the rear of the vend stack. (The evaporator fan runs continuously.) As the air passes through the evaporator, heat is drawn from the air and transferred to the liquid refrigerant. As the cooled air circulates through the vend stack, heat is drawn from the product and transferred to the circulating air. The heated air is again drawn through the evaporator where the heat is removed.

In the evaporator, the liquid refrigerant draws heat from the circulating air. As refrigerant receives heat, it vaporizes.

The compressor pumps the vapor from the evaporator and compresses it, increasing both pressure and temperature. The compressor forces the compressed vapor out, through the discharge line and into the condenser.

The condenser fan pulls air through the condenser. As the hot refrigerant vapor passes through the condenser tubes, heat is drawn from the vapor. This heat is dissipated into the passing air. The air then exits out the back of the vendor. As the refrigerant vapor in the condenser lines is cooled, it returns to a liquid state.

From the condenser the liquid flows to the drier. The drier removes any water and solid particles from the liquid refrigerant.

The cooled liquid refrigerant continues from the drier, through the capillary tube, to the evaporator. The capillary tube steadies the flow rate of the refrigerant. Its small inside diameter allows the pressure in the evaporator to remain low while the pressure in the condenser is high.

The cool refrigerant in the evaporator draws heat from the circulating air in the cabinet. As the temperature in the cabinet drops, the electronic temperature sensor reports the air temperature to the electronic controller. The electronic controller deactivates the refrigeration control relay, which turns off the compressor and condenser fan motor.