A/C Compressor

What is an A/C Compressor?

An A/C compressor, short for air conditioning compressor, is a critical component in the air conditioning system of a vehicle. Its primary function is to compress and circulate refrigerant gas through the system, thereby enabling the cooling process.

Here’s how it works:

1. The A/C compressor receives low-pressure, gaseous refrigerant from the evaporator (which absorbs heat from the interior air).
2. The compressor compresses this refrigerant into a high-pressure, high-temperature gas.
3. The hot, pressurized refrigerant then moves to the condenser, where it releases heat and condenses into a liquid state.
4. The liquid refrigerant passes through an expansion valve or orifice tube, where it undergoes a pressure drop and converts back into a low-pressure, cool gas.
5. This cool gas enters the evaporator inside the vehicle or building, absorbing heat from the surrounding air.
6. The cycle repeats itself as the compressor continues to compress and circulate the refrigerant to maintain a comfortable temperature.

In summary, the A/C compressor is crucial for the air conditioning system to operate efficiently by compressing and circulating refrigerant, which enables the cooling of vehicles.