Orientation in the Embraco hermetic compressor families stocked for commercial refrigeration — NEK, NEU, NT, NJ and SE — with an explanation of CSIR, CSCR and RSIR starting, the role of the electrical start box, and what changes on R290 (propane) versions.
Embraco (Nidec Global Appliance) builds hermetic reciprocating compressors for light-commercial refrigeration: bottle coolers, display cabinets, under-counter units, ice machines and small cold rooms. The catalogue stocks the common European 50 Hz families. As a practical orientation: NEK and NEU are compact fractional-horsepower machines for cabinets and coolers; NT and NJ are the larger light-commercial frames; NTU/NEU "U" types in the catalogue are the R290 (propane) versions; the SE machines listed are larger hermetics used in Bioma-style condensing units. The definitive application envelope (LBP/MBP/HBP, refrigerant, displacement) for a given code is the Embraco datasheet for that exact model — the families below are matched to what the designation on the shell tells you.
| Family | Catalogue examples | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NEK | NEK2125GK, CSIR, 230 V | Compact, widely used in bottle coolers |
| NEU (R290) | NEU2155U, NEU2178U CSCR | "U" = R290; CSIR and CSCR versions |
| NT | NT6217Z, NT6224GK CSCR | Larger cabinets, small cold rooms |
| NJ | NJ2212GK CSR | Largest single-phase frames |
| SE | SE6015GK, SE6026GS | Used in UP/Bioma condensing units |
Single-phase hermetics need a starting arrangement for the auxiliary winding, and the designation letters state which one the machine ships with:
The relay, capacitors and overload protector are packaged in the start box (electrical box) on the compressor housing. The box is compressor-specific: coil pick-up current, capacitor values and overload rating are matched to the winding. Replace it with the box listed for the exact model — the catalogue carries them as separate spares, e.g. for NJ9226GK, for NT2212GK and for NT6224U. A failed start relay typically shows as a compressor that hums, trips the overload after a few seconds, and restarts after cooling.
The R290 (propane) variants (model letter U, as in NEU6210U) are mechanically similar but matched to the refrigerant: different valve plate and oil charge, and the electrical equipment is designed so it is not an ignition source. R290 is an A3 flammable refrigerant: the EN 378 charge limits for the location apply, all electrical components near the circuit should be the versions specified for the appliance, and a hydrocarbon-rated leak detector must be used for service — see the leak-detection guide. Never replace an R290 compressor with an HFC model or vice versa: oil, valve plate, protector and approval all differ.
The same families power the catalogue's packaged units: the UNEK/UNJ/UNT air-cooled condensing units (UNEK6213GK-C30, UNJ9232GK-C30) and the Bioma UP series (UP-SE6015GK). Condenser fans for the Bioma units are listed by type (type 1, type 2) with the unit models each fan fits.
Record the full model and the code number from the shell label before ordering; two machines with the same family and size can carry different windings. On burn-out, flush or replace the capillary/expansion device, fit a suction burn-out drier for the first 72 hours, renew the liquid-line drier, and megger the new machine before first start. Keep the original grommets and discharge loop geometry — small hermetics transmit noise into cabinets through rigid lines. For oil-related diagnostics, acid test kits for POE and mineral oils are in the catalogue (ETK ester-oil kit, TKO universal kit).