Refrigerated shipping containers, known in the industry as Reefers, are specialized intermodal units designed for the transport and storage of temperature-sensitive goods. Unlike standard "dry" containers, reefers are essentially high-performance mobile walk-in freezers and coolers equipped with an integrated refrigeration plant.
Key Selling Points:
Precision Temperature Control: Maintain stable environments from -30°C (-22°F) to +30°C (+86°F) with a precision of ±0.25∘C.
High-Performance Insulation: Built with 3–4 inch thick high-density polyurethane foam sandwich panels and food-grade stainless steel or aluminum inner linings.
Advanced Airflow Design: Feature aluminum T-bar flooring (T-grating) which forces cold air from the bottom up through the cargo, ensuring uniform temperature distribution.
Top Industrial Brands: Units are typically powered by world-class machinery from Carrier Transicold, Thermo King, Daikin, or Star Cool.
Item Title: 20ft Refrigerated Shipping Container – Compact Industrial Cold Storage Unit Best For: Small-to-medium businesses, butchers, florists, and event organizers requiring a small footprint. The 20ft Reefer is the ideal "compact" cold chain solution. It fits within a standard parking space while offering roughly 1,000 cubic feet of secure storage. Because it is shorter than the 40ft units, it is the preferred choice for heavy, dense cargo like frozen meats or liquids where weight limits are reached before volume.
Item Title: 40ft Refrigerated Shipping Container – High-Capacity Temperature Controlled Warehouse Best For: Agricultural producers, large-scale food distributors, and seasonal inventory overflow. The 40ft Standard Reefer provides approximately 2,100 cubic feet of usable volume. It is built to the standard 8'6" height and is the workhorse for bulk produce and pharmaceutical logistics.
Item Title: 40ft High Cube Refrigerated Container – Maximum Volume & Vertical Clearance Best For: Shippers of voluminous goods (flowers, produce) or static storage where maximum pallet stacking is required. The 40ft High Cube stands exactly one foot taller than the standard unit (9'6" exterior). This additional height is critical for airflow, as it allows for an increased "air gap" above the load line, preventing short-cycling and ensuring your cargo stays at the target temperature even when fully loaded.
Note: Internal dimensions are reduced compared to dry containers due to 3-4" insulation and the refrigeration machinery bulkhead.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Reefer units require industrial power and cannot be plugged into standard wall outlets.
Power Supply: 460V AC, 3-Phase, 60 Hz (standard). Some "Dual Voltage" units can run on 230V 3-phase, but this requires higher amperage (up to 50 Amps).
Transformer Needs: For facilities with only 208V/230V power, a step-up transformer is required to reach the 460V needed by the compressor.
Pre-Trip Inspection (PTI): Every reefer sold for export or professional storage should come with a "Passed PTI" report—a diagnostic test confirming the machinery, fans, and sensors are in 100% working order.
Load Line: Do not stack cargo above the Red Load Line visible on the interior walls. Blocking this area restricts the return air path and will cause temperature fluctuations.
Prepared by: Worthy Container / Web: www.worthycontainer.com
Applicable Units: New (One-Trip) and Used Reefers
Refrigerated containers are industrial-grade machines requiring a stable, dedicated power supply. Failure to provide the correct voltage or amperage can lead to compressor failure or "brown-out" damage to the digital controller.
| Requirement | Specification |
| Voltage | 3-Phase 460V (Nominal) / Range: 440V – 480V |
| Frequency | 60 Hz (Standard) / 50 Hz compatible |
| Amperage | 30 Amp Minimum Dedicated Circuit |
| Phase | 3-Phase + Ground (No Neutral required for standard units) |
| Plug Type | ISO Standard 4-Wire CEE Form (3-Pole + Earth), 32A, 6h Red |
A dedicated circuit breaker must be installed to handle the "startup current" (Inrush Current) of the compressor.
Circuit Breaker: A 30A or 40A D-Curve (Motor Rated) 3-Pole circuit breaker is recommended. The D-Curve allows for the brief surge in amperage when the compressor starts without tripping the breaker.
Cable Sizing: For distances up to 50ft: 10 AWG (6mm²) 4-core cable. *For distances over 50ft: 8 AWG (10mm²) to prevent voltage drop.
Voltage Drop: Maximum allowable voltage drop is 5%. If the voltage drops below 400V during startup, the unit may trigger a "Low Voltage" error code and shut down.
The Power Lead: Every Worthy Container unit comes equipped with a heavy-duty 15-meter (approx. 50ft) power cable pre-fitted with a 32A 4-pin plug.
Receptacle: The site should be fitted with a matching 32A 4-Pin 460V Socket (Red), IP67 rated for outdoor use.
Grounding (Earthing): The unit must be properly grounded. The container shell acts as a conductor; ensure the ground pin in the socket is connected to a verified site earth.
While the unit requires a 30A breaker, it does not draw this continuously.
Pull-Down Phase: When first cooling a warm load, the unit may draw 10–15 Amps.
Steady-State Phase: Once the set temperature is reached, the draw usually drops to 4–7 Amps.
Defrost Cycle: During the automatic defrost cycle, heaters are activated, which can temporarily increase the draw to 12–15 Amps.
To be read in conjunction with Worthy Container’s Site Preparation Guide:
Isolation Switch: It is highly recommended to have a lockable isolator switch within 2 meters (6.5 ft) of the container for emergency shutdowns and maintenance.
Cable Protection: If the power lead crosses a vehicle path, it must be protected by a heavy-duty cable ramp or buried in a conduit.
Phase Rotation: Modern digital controllers (Carrier/Thermo King) are phase-sensing. If the fans run in reverse, the controller will usually auto-correct or display a "Phase Error."
[ ] Verify 3-Phase 460V is present at the socket.
[ ] Ensure the circuit is dedicated (no other machinery sharing the breaker).
[ ] Check that the socket is mounted at least 1 meter (3 ft) above ground level to prevent water ingress.
[ ] Confirm the site ground is bonded to the main distribution board.
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