Norlake undercounter refrigerator

Repair and Refurbishment Protocol for Used Laboratory Refrigerators
Cold Storage Performance from American Instrument Exchange

At American Instrument Exchange, every used laboratory refrigerator we offer is subjected to a comprehensive repair and refurbishment protocol. Whether it’s a general-purpose lab refrigerator, pharmaceutical-grade unit, or undercounter model, our goal is to restore each system to peak performance—ensuring consistent temperature control and reliable to laboratory storage standards.

Why Choose a Refurbished Laboratory Refrigerator from American Instrument Exchange?

• Fully tested for cold storage accuracy and operational safety
• Backed by a warranty
• Cost-effective alternative to new refrigeration equipment
• Sustainably refurbished to reduce environmental impact
• Serviced by expert technicians with decades of laboratory equipment experience

Step-by-Step Refurbishment Protocol

Every laboratory refrigerator from American Instrument Exchange follows a detailed, multi-stage process to ensure top-tier performance and reliability:

1. Initial Intake & Inspection

• Visual inspection for dents, corrosion, or structural damage
• Mechanical check of door hinges, gaskets, seals, and internal components
• Documentation of missing parts or areas requiring repair or replacement

2. Cleaning and Decontamination

• Internal and external cleaning using non-abrasive, lab-safe cleaners
• Decontamination/cleaning of all surfaces to remove biological or chemical residues
• Thorough cleaning of shelving, drawers, and removable interior parts

3. Mechanical and Electrical Repairs

• Replacement or repair of worn mechanical parts (door latches, seals, hinges, etc.)
• Inspection and restoration of control interfaces, thermostats, sensors, and displays
• Evaluation of wiring, relays, fuses, and power supply components for safety and integrity

4. Refrigeration System and Compressor Evaluation

• Testing of compressor function, condenser coils, and evaporators
• Inspection for refrigerant leaks and pressure performance (if applicable)
• Verification of proper airflow, fan operation, and defrost cycles

5. Temperature and Performance Testing

• Testing of temperature sensors and control boards
• Verification of temperature stability and uniformity throughout the chamber
• Testing of multiple setpoints (e.g., +2°C to +8°C) over extended operating periods

6. Safety and Compliance Checks

• Inspection of grounding and electrical insulation per lab safety standards
• Testing of alarm systems (if applicable) for temperature excursions or power failure

7. Final Quality Control and Documentation

• Multi-day operational test under real-world conditions
• Final cleaning, inspection, and performance validation
• Detailed service report with temperature logs, repair notes, and certification of refurbishment

Trust the Experts at American Instrument Exchange

With over 50 years of industry experience, American Instrument Exchange is a leading provider of high-quality refurbished laboratory equipment. Our proven laboratory refrigerator refurbishment protocol ensures consistent, accurate cold storage—so you can safeguard your samples, reagents, and research materials with confidence.

Warranty Information

All used equipment sold by American Instrument Exchange is refurbished/reconditioned, tested to meet specifications, cleaned, and comes with a 90-day warranty from the date of shipment unless otherwise specified. New products include a warranty from the manufacturer. Your warranty is only valid if you have paid your invoice. If your invoice is over 30 days old, warranty work will not be performed until your invoice is paid in full.  American Instrument Exchange is not liable for any special or consequential damages that result from the use of, or the inability to use, the materials on this site or the performance of the products,

Exceptions include international sales and items that are agreed to be sold with a lesser warranty or items that are agreed to be sold “as is.”

Should there be visible shipping damage to packaging or concealed shipping damage to item(s) supplied, buyer must communicate such damage to the delivering entity or carrier upon receipt first and to American Instrument the same day item is accepted / signed for. Failure to do so voids warranty. Customer decision to involve / procure third party or OEM service other than American Instrument or AIE assigned vendors to resolve in-warranty instrument failure or defect without first placing a service call to American Instrument voids warranty.

Return & Cancellation Policy

American Instrument Exchange will authorize the return of and issue a full refund for any equipment that is not working as represented and could not be replaced or repaired to the customer’s satisfaction by AIE or a representative of AIE during the warranty period. Returns without prior authorization and an RMA number will not be accepted. 

Customers are responsible for proper packaging of the equipment and all included accessories. American Instrument will pay for insurance and shipping costs. Non-inventory items bought specifically to fill customer orders may possibly be returned, but on a case by case basis.

Customers who cancel orders after refurbishing has begun or after delivery where there are no equipment performance issues may be subject to a Restocking/Cancellation Fee of 20% or more and responsible for shipping costs for both the delivery and return.

Ongoing and Extended Support Options

American Instrument Exchange is able to provide additional repair and support services outside the warranty terms for most products that sell.

For biosafety cabinets, clean benches, chemical fume hoods, and other clean air products our team at AIE Laboratory Services can provide certifications, repairs, decontaminations, and other services for customers throughout New England, and guidance and limited technical assistance for any customers in the US and Canada for new or refurbished biosafety cabinets purchased from American Instrument Exchange.

For all other products, the repair service team at American Instrument Exchange can provide both field and depot repair evaluations. We can easily schedule and coordinate the pick-up and transportation of your malfunctioning equipment. By offering hourly rates lower than most OEM service providers and eliminating travel time for technicians, we help reduce repair costs. Furthermore, our lab depot repair service minimizes or eliminates scheduling delays. Our experienced service technicians are qualified to restore your equipment to factory specifications.

Please contact our team at info@americaninstrument.com for more details.