Air Conditioning Compressor Basics
This video is the ultimate guide to air conditioning compressor basics. Bryan explains how an A/C compressor works, what an air conditioning and refrigeration compressor does, and what it needs to do its job.
Compressors come in all sorts of types, including reciprocating, scroll, rotary, screw, and centrifugal compressors. All types increase the pressure of vapor refrigerant; they all decrease the volume to increase the pressure, which causes it to move.
Many compressors are powered by electrical plugs (often made of Fusite), which connect to the motor on the inside. Compressors generally have three different designs for varying degrees of accessibility: hermetic (sealed), semi-hermetic (bolted), and open-drive (where the compressor is separate from the motor).
Compressors can only compress vapor, not liquid. We check the superheat to make sure we're only sending fully vapor refrigerant to the compressor; sending liquid to the compressor can damage it. The suction gas temperature is also important to ensure that the compressor head is being cooled adequately (for refrigerant-cooled compressors) and to make sure the mass flow rate is good.
Mass flow rate also plays into compression ratio, which is the ratio of absolute discharge pressure to absolute suction pressure. The compression ratio is a measure of how efficiently a compressor is pumping; too much compression indicates a lack of efficiency (such as through re-expansion).
Compressors have oil inside their crankcase, and a small amount of oil circulates with the refrigerant. Oil control is very important, as compressors have bearings that need to stay lubricated. If liquid refrigerant gets into the compressor, it can cause foaming and oil loss, which can lead to increased mechanical wear and possible premature failure over time. When liquid refrigerant migrates to the crankcase during the off cycle, it can create a flooded start that causes a lot of oil loss. (Crankcase heaters, liquid line solenoid valves, and hard shutoff TXVs can all help prevent flooded starts.) Overheating can also cause the oil to break down.
When the compressor increases the refrigerant pressure, it also increases the refrigerant pressure because the molecules move more quickly in a smaller space. For the most part, the heat content stays the same (with the exception of some minor contributions, such as from the motor windings) despite the temperature increase.
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Пікірлер: 208
Excellent. Many people don't realize that compressors are cooled by the proper refrigerant charge, using that coolant on the return or suction line, to keep the compressor from overheating. Thus destroying the oil and parts within the hermetic or semi-hermetic compressor. Very well explained. Thank you for all of your superb videos.
@hailutiruneh8264
3 жыл бұрын
Nice bro iam from Ethiopia Refrigerator maintenance .uf u have information, vacancy i need thanks
@maxtonharley7835
2 жыл бұрын
InstaBlaster.
You teach very well. The way of your teaching reminds me when I was in technical schools in Germany . You are true professionl.
I have been in Germany. The style of your teaching reminds German colleges . Great job , You are true professional. Please continue 👍
the video is factually correct with good usage of technical terms that most technician would have a problem with. Plus, a good explanation of why the temperature of the vapor refrigerant is increased was made. Some people would mistake increasing pressure means increasing the temperature but in fact the superheated complete vapor does not correspond to pressure/temperature relationship.
Wow! So glad I found your channel this is so awesome!! I work in residential construction, not in the HVAC trade but lately have wanted to understand more about it, mostly because I wanted to install some ductless heat pumps, but I'm falling down a rabbit hole and it's great! Thanks for the education it is definitely improving me! So again thanks for that!
Simplified and easy to follow. Good video!
i still have a troubleshooting card on compressors from way back in school there are so so so many possible reasons for failure of a compressor your have to be a genius to remember them all , !
Nice work on all your videos. You folks do a great service to our excellent industry. Thank you.
Great video! I'm in school right now and every little bit of knowledge helps!
I love how you explain step by step 👏🏾, very knowledgeable , big help thanks
Fantastic snapshot into the world of refridgeration. Definite subscribe.
Trying to get my universal refrigerant license and this helped a ton. Thank you!
I like the way u put things out ! simple , clear and plain. Thx u sir .
Remember: a compressor cannot compress liquid
@goddmode4589
3 жыл бұрын
liquid cant be compressed
@mikekin5806
3 жыл бұрын
Even with a compressor.
@drodriguez394
3 жыл бұрын
Can only fit one. Gallon of water in a one gallon container. But you can fit a lot of pressurized air in that container
@mattpassos5689
Жыл бұрын
But it can come press deez nuts
@jacobmartincello
Жыл бұрын
Right so don’t charge the suction side with liquid haha.
Very insightful! Very clear explanation of principle of VC Cycle without using any diagram!
I did not have much science in high school but years later I have had the oppertunity to gain insights of physics of fluids and their properties of change from one state to another . Brian you must have had alot of school science to grasp and understand the laws of physics . You do a great job of presentation in this video , and not lecture over our heads of your topic on compressors . I gather more and more information and evolving skill each time I watch your videos Cheers
I wish i had these videos when I studied. Great work!
Really well-explained video of the process. Not in the industry but I found it quite fascinating. Thank you.
Masterful just masterfully said,thank you!
Very easily and nicely explained . Thank you
Extremely knowledgeable video with expertly explained concepts.. thumbs up for the great work!
Very well explained, thanks so much
Very clear explanation, wish you luck in the future.
Thank you very much. Very helpful and educational video Great job
Hey that's Matt Risinger in the intro! Love the build show
This tutorial the best so far thank you for sharing I learn more about compressors.
@HVACS
3 жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
Soooooooo glad I found this channel !!
Very well put. Thank you sir
I'm taking HVAC classes so stuff like this helps alot. Big pp points to u
Very professional, thank you Sir.
it is a great video! Thanks! I just believe that a higher compression ratio means that the compressor is compressing the refrigerant vapor to a higher pressure, resulting in increased work done by the compressor and higher system temperatures.
Very nice video. Very explanatory. Thank you sir
Great videos ! Thanks.
Just wanted to thank you it’s my second week as a apprentice first year. There is so much to learn. The way you break down the subject is really helpful. Keep up the good shit bud
Excellent video
Great video like always.😀
Thanks, excellent show
Nicely explained full marks to you Sir.
Great video man!!!! 👍👍
Very well Explained. Thanks!
@HVACS
3 жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
Great stuff i am a new apprentice this videos have been great
Awsome explanation !!!!!!
This is great video . How to determine a metering device without opening the plenum?
Love your content. Thank you for knowledge
Very nice explanation and. Helpful
That’s was the best explanation So far
@HVACS
3 жыл бұрын
thanks!
1 more subscriber. You're doing a good job
This was helpful. I wasn’t sure if the gas went to a liquid after the compressor. Makes sense though as heat will need to transfer into the outside air and gases do a good job transferring heat.
@HVACS
3 жыл бұрын
Glad it helped
Great video. Would refrigerant migrating happen in a hermetic compressor in a cold ambient?
Love your videos
Nice video.
Great information
Thanks for the great video. I'm confused by how the oil travels with the gaseous refrigerant. Is the oil liquid or gas?
Thank you sir. Hope you will continue making a educational videos about HVAC world.
Nice explanation
Thank verry good introduction lesson
Thank you 😊
Thank you.
Nice job and video
Damn good tutorial!!
@HVACS
3 жыл бұрын
thanks
Thank you!
wow, please keep uploading new videos thanks
Many thanks, this video was amazing & very helpful.
Are there any video around that show how to install, troubleshoot and service semi-hermetic compressor.
Wow amazing information
Excellent.😀
Nice information thanks bro keep it up
I have swapped my live and neutral line. Did I damaged my compressor. Thanks for your help
thank you very good
Thanks for the great video, Have you done one on charging a system on Amps or Compressor LRA (Lock Rotor Amps)? Thank you
@drodriguez394
3 жыл бұрын
Elaborate
I would love to hear your thoughts on l.a.c.'s I am producing a custom 40 ton wall mounted unit and we are having trouble with out l.a.c. especially on startup.
Is it possible to change the frequency compressor (RSporand) with another cylindrical (rotary) compressor in the same capacity or vice versa without changing the capillary in the same mechanical circuit? Sorry for the translation
Please help me understand my Copeland compressor. It is a scroll compressor from 2000. There’s another cylindrical tower next to it it’s probably 1/4 the size of the compressor but similar in appearance. What is this other piece of hardware do and what is it called? You have a great videos thank you
Nice.thx
SUPER EXPLANATION.
Hello Bryan Can you replace R22 compressor that is absolute with R410 compressor after removing POE oil and replacing it with mineral oil?
Thanks again 😅
Hello Bryan Question, if you have r22 compressor and it is absolute can you replace it with R410 compressor remove compressor POE oil and replace it with mineral oil and charge it with R22 refrigerant will it work?
6:41 I live in a desert (+120F in summer). Many people suggested to insulate the section line that goes back to the compressor in my car to have colder AC. What do you think about this, will it harm the compressor because I made the refrigerant much colder than I supposed to be?
@nhilistickomrad4259
4 ай бұрын
They're correct. Unless otherwise specified most cars and their acs are still designed for cold climes.
I thought it be cool to make an off grid refrigeration system based on an open Drive compressor. Then you could have a DC motor spin it and be able to swap it with a gas engine, propane engine. Whatever you want. Control system would be difficult but totally possible. Love the videos by the way learning a lot
@owensharp8568
2 жыл бұрын
I set up a milk chiller for an off grid farm using a diesel lister engine :)
How do you make sure mass flow is correct for proper cooling of compressor. ?
Nice video, 🇮🇳
Excellent Information... Which is best book in the market (In English Language) which guides about all types of Compressors from Individual use to Industry level...
Compressor split I always looked at.
@4:34 Do you instead mean "then the compressor is going to do *more* work and run hotter"?
If the temp is bellow 32 on a 404a compressor on a freezer am I getting liquid feedback?
Hey what do you think about easy seal, supposedly it seals small leaks? Does that product affect the compressor or condenser? How long will it hold the refrigerant? Should I just recommend a new unit?
@drodriguez394
3 жыл бұрын
Find the leak. The concern with leak sealants is that theoretically it could create a block in maybe your filter dryer or your orifice. Because they are small openings and by nature a leak sealant, seals. Would potentially create a restriction
I heard from someone that a guy had used a plasma cutter to cut an AC compressor open, when it was still under pressure. Something like, he ended up in the hospital as a result. How much PSI does a scroll compressor usually hold?
You are my hero
May i ask? Can the R410a Compressor using R22 refrigerant? And what the side effect of that?
Dear sir very good video!!! In my country Greece all speak about compressors with Hp and this make a lot of misunderstanding!!!Is that way in your country ???What is your opinion about that?
In Vehicle air conditioning they use a variable displacement compressor, axial piston design. The piston is driven by a wobble plate or swash plate.
@gregmercil3968
3 жыл бұрын
I’ve taken one apart before. MVAC compressors are bizarre little things
Another job of the compressor is to compress the gas to temperature/pressure above its saturation point so as to aid in condensing back to a liquid
So what kind of pressure are we talking about? Say I want to build a fridge compressor. What pressure and flow rate should I aim for?
Whst specifications to be checked when same manufacture not available for scroll compressor to be selected, could u let me know
Thanks
@HVACS
3 жыл бұрын
Welcome
What do you say, if AC compressor is tested by filled with 300-400 psi then from suction pipe come out black smoke? What can we do to repair it?
Can I run my home ac compressor nonstop for 8 to 10 hours each day without recycling with no damage to the compressor or to the evaporator unit?
Pls do a types of capacitor and facts and working
What do you mean by compressor sheel by inject bulk of oil?