Final answer:
Mechanical defrost timers count down to the next defrost cycle when the compressor is running.
Step-by-step explanation:
Defrost timers that count down to the next defrost cycle only when the compressor is running are commonly known as Mechanical defrost timers. These timers are typically found in refrigerators and work by measuring the run time of the compressor, which indicates when a defrost cycle is needed. Once the compressor has been running for a certain amount of time, the defrost timer will initiate the defrost cycle.