Analysis of Temperature Fluctuations in Refrigerated Containers: Excluding Defrost Cycles

During the analysis of the temperature records, occasional single high-temperature points were observed at intervals. Some of these points were marked as 'defrost', while others were not explicitly labeled. Based on our experience and understanding of refrigeration systems, we believe these isolated high-temperature points are most likely attributed to the automated defrosting process of the refrigeration unit.

Defrost cycles are a standard operational feature of refrigerated containers, essential for maintaining optimal cooling efficiency. These cycles temporarily reverse the refrigeration cycle to eliminate frost buildup on the evaporator coils. As a result, brief, isolated temperature spikes may occur during these defrost cycles.

It is crucial to distinguish between these expected temperature fluctuations during defrost cycles and significant temperature deviations that could indicate a problem with the refrigeration unit or cargo integrity. Therefore, for the purpose of this report, these isolated high-temperature points associated with normal defrost cycles are not considered within the scope of analysis and are excluded from further evaluation.