Refrigeration control apparatus and method

The invention relates generally to the field of refrigeration. More specifically, the invention relates to controllers in refrigeration systems. Even more specifically, the invention relates to consolidating, for example, the power connection, control circuit wiring, relays, circuit breakers, switches and indicators of a refrigeration controller into a single unit. A refrigeration control apparatus comprises a master unit with a mother board. The mother board comprises a bus configured to carry signals between boards coupled to the mother board. A processor board interfaced to the mother board is provided. The processor board comprises a processor, and a program memory where instructions for the processor are stored on the program memory. An interface circuit coupled to the mother board is provided. A load control module interfaced to the mother board is provided, wherein the load control module comprises an interface circuit coupled to the mother board, and a circuit breaker coupled to a power input. A load relay comprising a first interlocked relay and a second interlocked relay coupled to the circuit breaker is provided. The load relay is configured to switch power. An override switch and the processor coupled to the load relay to control the load relay is provided. Furthermore, an indicator coupled to the processor and the override switch is provided, wherein the line voltage being removed from the second interlocked relay when the first interlocked relay is actuated.