Causes of AC Compressor Failure – The compressor is an important component that cannot be separated in the air cooling system of an AC unit.
Well, the compressor in the AC is a key component that functions to regulate and control the flow of refrigerant in the cooling system.
After the refrigerant absorbs heat and becomes a gas, this refrigerant will pass through the compressor where the refrigerant is pressurized and further heated and then enter the condenser.
Also Read
With that being said, the absence of this component can be a catastrophic failure for the entire air conditioning system.
Or are you experiencing that now? And wondering what causes your AC compressor failure? Well, you’re in luck, because today we will discuss that topic!
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Causes of AC Compressor Failure
1. Refrigerant Issues
The first one of the causes of your ac compressor failure might be there’s an issue with your refrigerant.
Usually, the two main reasons being either lack of refrigerant level or your refrigerant might be leaks.
Low refrigerant levels in the cooling system can cause the compressor to work harder than usual.
As the amount of refrigerant decreases, the compressor must pump more gas to achieve the required pressure, resulting in increased internal pressure and excessive heat buildup, thus increasing the risk of your compressor damage.
In addition, refrigerant leaks can lead to a significant loss of cooling capacity. If refrigerant is leaking, the system will not be able to absorb and dissipate heat effectively, leading to a decrease in cooling performance and increased workload on the compressor
To prevent this, it is advisable to keep your refrigerant level in check to ensure an optimum performance of your AC unit.
2. Electrical Problems
An AC system functions optimally when the voltage and amperage match its specific requirements.
Each type of air conditioner has different electrical requirements, and a mismatch between the electrical supply and the needs of the air conditioner can cause problems, especially in the compressor motor coils.
This imbalance can lead to overheating and damage to the compressor, reducing the efficiency and lifetime of the air conditioning system.
Therefore, ensuring a stable and suitable electricity supply is critical to the performance and reliability of the air conditioner.
3. Lack of Lubrication
Did you know that it’s not only vehicles that need oil, it turns out that air conditioning compressors also need oil.
The oil in the compressor is useful to lubricate the moving components of your AC compressor. Oil that is lacking or even runs out, will cause leaks in the pipes, condenser, or evaporator.
Leaks can be bad for the compressor as this can cause the compressor to become hot easily which can cause the motor coil to burn and damage.
Therefore, always top up the oil for the compressor and use oil that is standard according to the factory.
4. Too Much of a Pressure
Basically, there is a standard pressure that can be handled by the AC compressor for each AC of different types.
However, an error in the amount of AC pressure that is not balanced with the compressor’s ability will increase the compressor load.
Excessive compressor load and performance in pumping refrigerant will cause damage to the compressor rotation or burning of compressor’s coils.
Also Read: “Air Conditioner Parts and Their Functions“
5. Blocked Suction Lines
Blockages in the refrigerant flow can strain the performance of the compressor. When refrigerant flow is obstructed, the compressor pump system becomes heavier and less efficient.
This happens because impurities that block the refrigerant flow cause an imbalance, forcing the compressor to work harder and increase pressure to regulate the appropriate flow.
To resolve blockages in the compressor, a flushing method can be used. Flushing involves jetting liquid nitrogen into the clogged air conditioner or line to remove impurities from the flow.
If this method is unsuccessful, it may be necessary to replace the component affected by the blockage.
6. Age and Wear
As many other electrical devices, AC compressors also have their own service life, and will decrease in performance over time.
Typically, an AC compressor will decrease in performance within 5-10 years of service due to wear and tear in its internal components.
This can be seen from the evaporator that is no longer cold, the small current, and the reduced freon pressure.
So there you have it! The 6 common causes of AC compressor failure for you to identify!
But did you know that the AC needs to be certified before being sold and distributed in Indonesia?
Yup, the AC is one of the many products that are mandatory to be certified by the SNI certification.
This is because the risk of an air conditioner might be concerning for the Indonesian consumers, as the air conditioner that is not properly manufactured can cause a failure and can even be dangerous for its users.
The air conditioner that is about to be distributed in Indonesia must undergo a series of tests to determine its quality and safety.
After all of those tests have passed and the air conditioner is met with the requirements that have been set, the air conditioner is ready to be distributed and sold in the Indonesian market.
For the air conditioner and other household electrical devices, the regulation is clearly stated in SNI IEC 19-6713-2002.
