A/C Compressor

Contributed By:MacKayla W.

The A/C compressor is considered one of the most important parts of the air conditioning system. It’s a lot like a human heart in that it pumps the refrigerant throughout the system. If it’s damaged the whole system is affected. How this system works is almost exactly like a fridge.

The compressor is driven by a belt attached to the vehicle’s engine which is engaged by an electromagnetic clutch called the compressor clutch. This is right behind the radiator. When the clutch is engaged the compressor pumps the refrigerant, R-134a or R12, throughout the closed loop system. It starts by compressing the low-pressure gas from the inlet side into a high pressure/temperature gas. The temperature is achieved by taking heat out of the air. This hot gas is then discharged into the condenser (located in front of the radiator) on the low-pressure side. The low-pressure cools the gas and from there it goes to the evaporator and kicks out cold air into a car. The process then starts all over again.

The air conditioning system can over heat the motor if not installed right. Depending on the size of your motor the A/C compressor needs to be in high or low drive. If it’s a bigger motor and it’s in low it could possibly do some damage to the drive belt and the compressor.

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