subject: Do You Have A Bad Compressor? How To Diagnose The Problem With Your Air Conditioning Unit [print this page] Air conditioners are mechanical devices that are used to cool a room, entire house, or office building. The process of cooling involves utilizing chemicals that are converted from a gas to a liquid and then back to a gas again. One of the main parts of an air conditioner that is essential for cooling is the compressor. The compressor will squeeze the fluid and press the molecules tightly together in order to increase the temperature and energy. When the fluid travels out of the compressor and into the condenser, it has changed and is in the form of a high pressure gas. Because the compressor is an essential component of the air conditioner, it is important to make sure it functions properly. Below are a number of tips to troubleshooting air conditioning compressor problems:
1. The very first thing you must do is turn the air conditioner off and check for any wires and connections that look damaged. This will include wires that look worn, loose, or burned. You need to also check the wire connections in the compressor terminal box for any sign of damage which will need pro repair .
2. If you find the air conditioner isn't providing enough of a cooling effect, you check the temperature. The temperature should be set lower than the room temperature. You should take the temperature about fifteen mins after the air conditioner has been running. If the condenser fan and the compressor are both running and the cooling is puny, check the temperature drop. You do this by taking away the air temperature entering the unit from the temperature of the air leaving the unit. If the temperature drop is very low, the unit's refrigerant might have to be charged.
3. If the condenser fan starts and works correctly, but the compressor isn't beginning, the air conditioner may either be low on refrigerant, the compressor might be damaged, or the compressor could be too hot.
4. It is vital to test the fan motor which may have an effect on the compressor. For example, a fan motor might have poor windings or locks when it is running. There can also be bad components like a worn thrust bearing, the motor may wish to get replaced, and the rotor bars could be damaged. All these issues may have an effect on the compressor and affect the correct working of the air conditioner. If you find the compressor starts but the fan isn't beginning, the condenser fan motor could be causing the problem.
5. There are a bunch of reasons which explain why a compressor may not start. They can include : difficulty with the capacitator, a blown fuse, motor overload protector is damaged, compressor is locked away burnt wiring, compressor trips the breaker and blows a fuse, internal damage in the compressor, compressor has non working valves, compressor has fallen off its mounts, unsymmetrical pressure flowing thru valves, and the motor is grounded.
Without a correctly running compressor, an air conditioner will be unable to function correctly. It is critical to remember that the parts of an air conditioner are extraordinarily fragile and complicated ; if you're doubtful why your air conditioner isn't working, it is far better let a pro identify the cause and make the proper and correct repair .
