Air Conditioning Compressors

The compressor is the air conditioners most important component as it helps in the cooling processes, by circulating the refrigerant through all the refrigeration parts. The compressors used in smaller capacity Air conditioners are of fully sealed type.
There are 3 types of compressors: reciprocating, rotary and scroll. A window air conditioner will be factory fitted with one of these types of compressors.

Reciprocating Compressor: It compresses the air by sliding the piston over the cylinder. Air conditioners fitted with a reciprocating compressor are generally less expensive and not as efficient and silent as the ones fitted with a rotary compressor.

Rotary Compressor: This is a superior type of a compressor over the conventional reciprocating type. It compresses air by centrifugal action of high-speed impeller in a confined space. This method reduces the loss in pressure of the refrigerator gas. Rotary compressors are more efficient and silent.

Scroll Compressor: Rotary technology, though dominant in Asian market for close to 3 decades due to its low cost, is new to India. Scroll compressors have a wide operating voltage, economical running and low sound and vibrations as compared to reciprocating and rotary compressors.