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The operating principle of the air conditioner. How to choose the right air conditioner for an apartment or house How to turn on the air conditioner in a room correctly

A professional master knows: in its original form, the refrigerator was invented by a doctor to store food. The first copy could operate as an air conditioner, regulating the climatic conditions of the room. The two devices are similar. The refrigerator maintains the low temperature of the chamber, the air conditioner maintains the room temperature. Reverse operating mode for heating is possible. The operating principle of an air conditioner (refrigerator) is based on two opposite isochoric processes inside the coils.

Thermodynamics and freon of air conditioners

They mentioned isochoric processes, and half of the readers prepared to scroll down. Where there will be familiar terms. Give it up. Let's talk about complex things in simple words.

The circuit diagram of an air conditioner includes the following parts (you can skip the list, come back as you read further):

frame;
internal coil (evaporator);
external coil (condenser);
compressor;
capillary tube;
connecting highways.

Let's describe the operation of the air conditioner. Substance in nature strives to establish equilibrium; by changing one parameter of the environment, we immediately cause a response. Anyone who has used a bicycle pump (a machine pump would be a bad example) realizes that the cylinder gets very hot. Why is this happening? As the piston moves forward, the air inside is strongly compressed and the pressure increases. Causes an increase in temperature. The cylinder gives off heat to the environment. Doesn't remind you of anything? That's right, the air conditioning coil located outside the window, which releases heat to the environment, has a similar quality.

The difference is limited by the internal volume of the coil and remains constant. The process is called isochoric in thermodynamics. Walking at constant volume. The compressor forces freon into the external coil (condenser) under pressure, raising the temperature of the refrigerant, reaching 65 degrees Celsius. Heat begins to escape into the environment. An exception would be the case: the air temperature outside the window is 65 degrees Celsius. So, a sharp increase in pressure causes heating of the freon, the condenser (it is correct to call the assembly a condenser). Heat is lost to the street through the temperature difference between the coil and the surrounding air.

Cooled freon becomes liquid. It rushes (under pressure) to the internal coil (evaporator). However, a capillary tube gets in the way, and the liquid oozes out with difficulty.

Now look at the result. Freon is pumped out of the evaporator by a compressor; it is difficult for the refrigerant to get back through the capillary tube. A reduced pressure is formed on the internal coil. An isochoric process is accompanied by a sharp drop in temperature to 2 degrees Celsius.

The cooled coil takes the heat from the room air and releases excess energy to freon. The latter evaporates, becomes gas, and is sucked in by the compressor. The operating principle of the air conditioner is limited to what is described.

Why does an air conditioner need freon?

Everyone has heard that factory freon is dangerous for the environment and necessitates the disposal of air conditioners (refrigerators) in a special way. We can add that the first refrigerators and air conditioners are life-threatening. The leak of tetravalent sulfur oxide threatened the occupants of the house. Although freons were dangerous, air conditioners owe their widespread use in everyday life to the discovery of a new class of substances in the 20s. The new ones are not so deadly, giving a 100 point head start to the previously used refrigerators. The class of substances is called freons.

Today, compounds whose names begin with the letter R and end with a three-digit number contain the proud term ozone-safe in their technical descriptions. They do not harm the unstable layer of the atmosphere, which, despite the ridiculous thickness of 2-3 millimeters, absorbs the lion's share of ultraviolet radiation, making the existence of life on the planet possible. The destruction of the ozone layer causes skin cancer and other pathologies. Public international organizations advocating for environmental protection attacked the manufacturers of air conditioners and refrigerators.

Not without reason. Rare freon is safe, new freon does little harm to the environment. Some refrigerants are also non-flammable. We consider air conditioners to be quite safe. Why is it important? The first window air conditioners were produced in a single housing. Monoblocks exist today, they are becoming a thing of the past, giving way to split systems. One feature of newcomers with an unusual name ensured popularity. Air conditioners are formed by two blocks:

Outer.
Interior.

Actually, the new air conditioners got their name by differentiating the components. A freon line is laid between the blocks. Traditionally insulated, protected hose. Regardless of the degree of sealing of the air conditioner components, freon slowly leaks into the environment. A line rupture is possible, the process will go faster. The air conditioner will fail, and the city will receive another dose of harmful freon.

Split comes from the English to divide. In cooling mode, the outdoor unit contains a condenser, and the indoor unit contains an evaporator. Are there other modes? Certainly! A typical air conditioner (split system) works for heating. This is achieved by the presence of a four-valve switch; thanks to the unit, the condenser and evaporator change places. Freon begins to flow in the opposite direction.

You're probably wondering why bother with freon if the material is so dangerous. Why not build air-based air conditioners. Freon has one irreplaceable property - it easily changes its state of aggregation. It turns from liquid into gas, taking a gigantic amount of heat. The reverse process is accompanied by the absorption of a fair amount. Moreover, it happens at favorable temperatures: 2 degrees on the evaporator, 65 degrees on the condenser. The combination is phenomenal, otherwise freons would not be used to produce air conditioners.

Types of air conditioners

Monoblocks are becoming a thing of the past. Today, the air conditioner segment is being conquered by split systems. The new name is given to distinguish it from the previously used one. What's bad about a candy bar? It was necessary to modify the window, or less often the wall. To put it mildly, it is not convenient. In winter, the device had to be removed to avoid heat loss. In the southern regions of the United States, where the new product was invented, it is not relevant. The question is different in Russia.

Dividing the air conditioner into two blocks (internal, external) made it possible to lay the connecting line once and for all, properly insulating the channel. It became possible to place the condenser in the shade. The operation of the air conditioner becomes more stable.

It is appropriate to mention the peculiarity of the devices. Household appliances dry the air by producing positive ions; air conditioners are no exception. On the contrary, they do it extremely well (it has an adverse effect on the health of the owners). The evaporator produces condensate that is discharged outside. To eliminate excess accumulated liquid, another system is required, which is supplied to each air conditioner. Drainage system. Physically, the liquid drain pipe goes in the same line with freon. Guess what, in the cold the canal can freeze. There are two ways to solve the problem:

Equip the air conditioner drain with cable heating in advance.
Turn on the air conditioner to cool the room. Ice plugs will melt, receiving a higher freon temperature.

There is a cardinal method - wait until spring, the air conditioner will melt.

Repairing an air conditioner with your own hands: is it worth it?

Avoid fiddling with freon. Difficult to buy, refilling is impossible at home. It is necessary to withstand the pressure of the system, avoiding causing dysfunction of the device. A smart indication will tell you about breakdowns. More often, the alarm is formed by LEDs that light or blink in a fixed sequence. Each type of air conditioner breakdown is accompanied by a specific code.

You will find split systems that display information on an LCD display or control panel. There is a self-monitoring function launched by holding the power button (optional). It turns out a failure code, as happens with washing machines. Each manufacturer provides its own fault detection mechanism. Read more in the operating instructions or on the company's website. Typical air conditioner breakdowns are also indicated there. Of course, cases arise that the manufacturer wisely keeps silent about. It is recommended to read forums dedicated to air conditioners.

Basic elements of a typical air conditioner

Previously, modern air conditioners are divided into monoblocks and split systems. Moreover, models embedded in windows are unpopular today. More often, the monoblock is equipped with two hoses (coaxial path), through which air is taken from the window and returned there. It will allow you to pump out the heat from the room, releasing energy outside. The principle of operation of any type of air conditioner is the same. The circulating freon takes the heat from the evaporator and transfers it to the condenser. The air conditioner device includes elements, regardless of the external appearance of the device.

The operation is controlled by an electronic board. Regardless of the number of units, the air conditioner uses a sensor to measure the temperature of the incoming room air blowing on the evaporator. Moisture condenses here, a normal air conditioner dries the air (dealers wisely keep silent), and is equipped with a drainage tract for draining excess moisture. Good to know: NoFrost refrigerators operate on the principle of an air conditioner. Temperatures are much lower. It is necessary to control humidity and, if necessary, evaporate moisture back.

In a monoblock standing on the floor of the room, it is appropriate to place the drainage tank on the condenser so that the moisture goes back into the room. A portion of the heat will return, less than what was taken away by the water. Of course, it was possible to install a quartz ultrasonic generator. Otherwise, you will have to periodically empty the monoblock tank manually; it looks unrealistic to connect the mobile device to the sewer. As for split systems, a block with a condenser is hung outside, where a pair of hoses with freon goes. A drainage tube is wound there, draining the moisture to passers-by. In the best case, it evaporates on the condenser, in the worst case it gets on people’s heads (you won’t be surprised by such rudeness in the country). It is appropriate to remind you that the installation of a split system requires permission from the owner of the house (HOA), the appearance of the building deteriorates.

The air conditioner contains fans that blow across the condenser and evaporator. In a monoblock they are driven by one engine; in a split system, of course, this is not possible. The device is equipped with a compressor that pumps freon; be careful not to disparage the advantages of air conditioning solutions.

The piston unit is capable of pumping 25 atm. Stop pumping up your car tires. In a split system, the compressor is located outside, and the motor operates as a separate heat source. Inside they find:

evaporator coil;
fan;
electronic control board.

If the air conditioner is heating, we will change the evaporator and condenser roles. The design uses a four-way valve that changes the direction of freon movement. The compressor, of course, cannot pump refrigerant in a different direction by simply changing the flow. The utopian version is much simpler and better than the real one, with a valve. At the same time, the number of moving parts would be reduced. The motor is rarely controlled by an inverter, there is no need. The inertial processes of the room are long-term in nature, the external unit is located outside the window, disturbing the neighbors, to whom it is customary not to pay attention in the country. You can close the frame tightly and enjoy the freshness.

The power of the air conditioner is consumed unevenly. The device operates until the room air reaches the desired temperature. The compressor motor stops. We believe that with an air conditioner there is no great need for inverter control. The scheme would become incredibly complicated. However, there is one advantage that makes you think: a good air conditioner is equipped with inverter control. Duration of service. Samsung guarantees the inverter motor of the refrigerator for 10 years. We believe that given the current state of affairs on the market, this is an undeniable plus! It is clear that similar laws will apply with air conditioning. Inverter control comes in handy (see Mitsubishi).

The voltage frequency is indifferent to the commutator motor; it is logical to supply asynchronous air conditioners. However, you can always adjust the speed. Inverter is a fashionable word, today it is praised to the skies; by changing the current cut-off angle of 220 volts in the case of brushed motors, we get a similar result. The type of motor is louder and is endowed with some other unpleasant features that are incompatible with frost. Brushes, first of all, rubbing parts, contacts. From a maintenance point of view, asynchronous motors look simpler with a single stator winding. The shaft is held in place by bearings and does not require frequent attention.

Refueling is carried out on the side of the external unit. A pair of valves for high and low pressure paths. Of course, you can apply the previous principles by copying the refrigerator using one move. The process accelerates, the time it takes for freon to leave the capillary tube decreases. If air gets inside, you will have to pump it out and vacuum it. Preliminary purging with nitrogen is carried out. A mixture of air and freon is used. Since the first one is inside, the masters pump the second one inside. If the air conditioner has been driving air around the circuit for a long time, it has dissolved in the oil quite a lot, therefore, when vacuuming, it is a good idea to turn on the air conditioner at low speeds; the protection system can prevent this from happening.

The modern device is equipped with a self-diagnosis function and displays error codes on the screen of the control panel and indoor unit. As a result, the air conditioner stops turning on. Look for clues on the screen. The technical characteristics of air conditioners contain the power of cold production, which is not directly related to the power of consumption. Should be more than what is consumed by the outlet. The peculiarity of devices that pump heat from one place to another is used by technology to save money.

Air conditioner operation

The operating principle of the air conditioner exploits the cycles of freon transition from one phase state to another. When the refrigerant condenses, it releases an amount of energy; when it transforms into a gaseous state, the reverse process takes place. It will allow you to get very high temperatures on the condenser and reduce them to incredible levels on the evaporator. It's hot outside, a condenser with a temperature above 60 ºС easily gives off heat. The evaporator temperature is barely above zero (excluding the formation of frost, forming a fundamental difference from the refrigerator, where they purposefully operate at subzero temperatures). Transport drivers are familiar with the unpleasant effect of car air conditioning; the air becomes saturated with stench. Moisture accumulates inside the evaporator and the air conditioner does not operate continuously. Moments of downtime create a moist, warm environment where bacteria feel capable of multiplying. Take note: the air conditioner (room air conditioner) behaves like this, it’s time to sanitize the device.

The ideal temperature for bacterial growth is 38 degrees Celsius, used by doctors who grow cultures on nutrient media. 63 are used for half an hour by pasteurization. Designers are not smart enough to provide performance at cruising speed without turning on the heating/cooling system. Microflora will refuse to reproduce with such impunity.

The previous products used by service centers along the highway will do; the device can be disassembled and washed. Surely the warranty will be lost, decide which method is better.

It is not necessary to look for a “teapot” used by a car service center. An ultrasonic humidifier will do. Of course, a disinfectant solution is used, creating a directed movement of steam. The parameters of car and room air conditioners do not differ too much, as far as the evaporator is concerned.

Having obtained the desired temperature distribution, the compressor pumps out air from the evaporator, creating a vacuum, pumps it into the condenser, increasing the temperature, and due to pressure, facilitating the transition of freon to a liquid state. The circuit is closed, the refrigerant will quickly flow back into the evaporator, neutralizing the forces of the compressor. To block the described effect, a capillary tube is used (in a car, an expansion valve). The cross-section of the liquid passage is small, the phase is powerless to develop high speed. The pressure difference remains. How the air conditioner works has a lot to do with the refrigerator. The difference is in the forced air flow of the condenser; the volume of the room is relatively large. To improve heat transfer, a fan is built in. This is how air conditioning works! Most products are equipped with a control panel; you rarely want to climb up trying to adjust the mode.

Car air conditioners... or refrigerators?

Remove the air conditioning in the summer, the interior becomes hot, drivers turn on the heater in the summer heat, forcing forced cooling of the car engine. The oncoming flow carries away the excess energy of the horsepower of the pistons. Many people have to undress.

Humanity is failing to grasp the need to reuse resources. It is powerless to create spacecraft where regeneration systems will take a leading role. Imagine what a wonderful (eternal) ship planet Earth will become.

Why does a car need freon?

The radiator cools the engine; a small proportion of models contain a condenser, necessitating the need to remove heat. 150 grams of excess freon increases the pressure by 10 atmospheres, the pipes simply burst due to excess if the car is stationary. Refilling the refrigerant is carried out by a special technician with diagnostic equipment, a person who purchased an emergency Diagnostic kit for air conditioning systems.

A typical refrigerator operates by generating four states of freon. Reason for choosing the substance! Perkins created an ice maker that circulated ethyl alcohol ether. Later they used ammonia and other toxic stuff, then freons appeared. Relatively safe (to humans), some varieties have exploded under certain conditions. It is still relevant for household refrigerators, the concentration of the substance is so low that an instant release of 100% of the volume into the dining room is powerless to cause an emergency.

The difference between freon: the refrigerant easily changes the state of aggregation between liquid and gas. A huge amount of heat is absorbed/released, making the principle of operation of a mobile air conditioner possible.

Car air conditioner: principle of operation, service measures

The car is different. The work is controlled by four aggregate states of freon:

Compression.
Condensation.
Extension.
Evaporation.

There are four devices inside the car that allow freon to complete the cycle:

Compressor.
Condenser (condenser).
Receiver-dryer.
Evaporator.

The operating principle of the air conditioning compressor is the same, excluding the operating requirements. The condenser and evaporator are coils. The latter carries a fan. Know: the car uses the NoFrost option, do not be afraid of frost falling in the cabin, the moisture will settle on the evaporator. The workshop, using ultrasonic generators, can easily remove settled bacteria and microbes from the coil. Unlike the NoFrost refrigerator, the principle of operation of a car air conditioner involves periods of idleness, microscopic organisms have time to multiply outrageously.

In working condition, the temperature is maintained at minus 5 ºС, the living thing waits for favorable circumstances. Only in the salon you can smell rot (smells like fungus), it’s time to refresh the atmosphere of the salon.

Now the air conditioner evaporator becomes a carrier of infection, adversely affecting health. Mold can feed on anything, grows, and releases a bunch of harmful substances that envelop the comfortable driver’s seat. You cannot completely get rid of the spores floating around; ask the car service center to carry out disinfection.

Mentioned above, an ultrasonic generator is used to evaporate the antiseptic liquid at room temperature. Thick steam reaches the tract of the switched off air conditioner, killing the living microflora inside, which produces an unpleasant odor.

There are four physical states of freon. The compressor compresses freon gas, pumping it into the condenser: the refrigerant gives off heat to the air flying past. The coil is located in front of the hood; the oncoming flow creates forced cooling of the device. There is often a receiver-dryer nearby. The element frees the system from moisture, expands freon, and the evaporator pressure drops sharply. Makes the process of selecting interior energy possible. The fan blows on the evaporator, the temperature next to the driver drops.

Why remove water from your car air conditioner?

The receiver-dryer of a household refrigerator frees the freon passing by from water. Stop doing this, an ice plug will form at the outlet of the element, which will damage the strained roaring compressor. The air conditioner stops performing its functions, freon stops circulating along the circuit. The dehumidifier is represented by a thick tube with absorbent poured inside. The balls stick together over time, ceasing to perform their functions, and it’s time to send the car air conditioner for repair.

Car air conditioner repair

We mentioned the Diagnostic kit for assessing the condition and repairing a car air conditioner. The kit contains a filling cylinder and a pump for pumping air out of the system. According to science, in household refrigerators, refilling the refrigerant is accompanied by replacing the filter. The saving master is freeloading, the moisture will let you know.

Before pumping in new freon, a search is made for system leaks. Otherwise, the fresh refrigerant will have a long life. If the integrity of the copper tubes is in order, the old freon is removed from the system with a special vacuum pump. The intricate network of tubes is cleared of air and water vapor. Becomes possible thanks to the phenomenon discovered by Guericke and Boyle (XVII century):

Under vacuum conditions, water evaporates at low temperatures.

It's warm outside the workshop. Having received a vacuum, the system becomes pristinely clean, ready to accept new freon. Afraid of making a mistake with the mass, the filling cylinder is placed on a special scale, counting out the required amount. The refrigerant is replenished through a special service valve. The tanker sees: the required mass of freon has been filled, the process can be completed. Testing is underway. Repeated manipulations with the leak detector will allow you to assess the presence of holes in the updated system. Absent, the repair process is considered completed.

We know that there are a lot of copper and steel pipes in the refrigerator; the principle of operation of the air conditioner in a split system will allow you to make do with flexible hoses. Hoses are vulnerable to ruptures. However, advanced workshops are equipped with special hydraulic crimpers for crimping joints. The force developed is not inferior to a good-quality jack. The created connection satisfies the system requirements.

Operation of a car air conditioner for heating

We are used to taking away the heat of the engine, which stinks of burnt rubber. Today's solutions provide for the reverse mode of operation of on-board equipment. The principle of operation of an air conditioner for heating is to change the direction of the freon current in the opposite direction. We don’t think that car systems are much different from household ones; the trick is implemented by a four-way valve that switches the input and output of the compressor in places. An asynchronous motor easily changes the direction of rotation; this fact is not enough to obtain the desired mode.

The developers decided: it would be easier to use a four-way valve. All that remains is to wait until they fit into the cabin a device that implements the principle of operation of a precision air conditioner, helping to maintain the temperature values recommended by doctors of 18 - 22 ºС with an accuracy of tenths. Humidity will be adjusted, avoiding drying out food (see NoFrost refrigerators)! While precision air conditioners are found in data centers of large companies, there are powerful servers that perform functions day and night.

It is high time to introduce inverter control circuits. Welders use their technical gifts and are praised when welding aluminum using argon. Non-ferrous metals take only alternating voltage. The principle of operation of an inverter air conditioner: the engine rotation speed is regulated by the frequency of supply pulses. Allows the equipment to operate in a lighter mode, extending its service life.

Let's look at the principle of operation of an air conditioner without an air duct later, today we say goodbye. We hope you liked the information about automotive equipment and will find it useful for those carrying out regular maintenance.

The operation of an air conditioner is based on a change in the state of aggregation of a special substance under the influence of temperature and pressure. This substance is most often freon, which can change from a gaseous state to a liquid one. To understand an air conditioner, you must first become familiar with its structure.

How does an air conditioner work?

Modern air conditioners are equipped with an electronic unit that allows remote control. There are external and internal blocks. The outdoor unit consists of a fan, condenser, compressor, control board, four-way valve, filter. A fan is needed to blow air across the condenser. The condenser is a radiator in which freon is cooled and condensed. When air passes by it, it heats up.

The compressor compresses the freon and ensures its movement along the refrigeration circuit. There is a four-way valve that can heat the air. It changes the direction of movement of freon. The indoor unit then begins to work for heating, and the outdoor unit for cooling. The filter is located in front of the compressor inlet, its function is protective. The outdoor unit is closed with a lid.

The internal unit of the air conditioner includes a front panel, a coarse filter, fine filters, a fan, an evaporator, a control board, and blinds. Air flows through the front panel. Coarse filter - a plastic mesh to retain relatively large objects. Fine filters remove odors and trap fine dust and bacteria. The fan is aimed at circulating purified and heated/cooled air in the room.

How air is cooled and heated using an air conditioner

The freon is heated in the evaporator, after which it evaporates. As air passes through the evaporator, it cools. The blinds regulate the direction of the air flow, their position can be adjusted remotely. The indoor and outdoor units are connected by copper pipes. The control board contains an electronics unit with a microprocessor.

The air conditioner itself does not produce cold or heat; it transfers it from indoors to outdoors or vice versa. When freon evaporates, it takes away heat, and when it condenses, it releases it. The process of condensation is the return from a gaseous state to a liquid state. In cooling mode, freon evaporates in the indoor unit and condenses in the outdoor unit. When heating, the opposite happens. This is how heat is transferred from one environment to another.

The design and operating principle of various air conditioners are similar. These systems have a common structure and purpose. The difference between them lies only in the location of the system in the house and the external shape of the device.

Air conditioning device

All air conditioners consist of the following parts:

fan;
throttle;
capacitor;
compressor;
evaporator.

The compressor compresses the freon and forces it to circulate in the system. The capacitor is used to convert freon from gas into liquid. Usually it is located in the external unit. The evaporator, on the contrary, causes liquid freon to turn into gas. Its action is opposite to that of a capacitor. The throttle lowers the freon pressure, and the fans cool the system.

This is how every similar device works. The principle of operation of a floor-mounted air conditioner does not differ from the principle of operation of a wall-mounted or ceiling-mounted one.

System operation

All parts of the air conditioner (except for fans) are connected to each other using thin copper tubes. In some devices, the tubes are made of aluminum. A coolant (most often freon) circulates through the tubes inside the air conditioner. The coolant takes either gaseous or liquid form. Fans protect the system from overheating.

When vaporous freon enters the compression hole, it has a temperature of about 10-15 degrees. Its pressure is 4-5 atmospheres. The refrigerant is compressed in the compressor, the pressure increases 5 times, and the freon temperature rises to 90 degrees.

Very hot freon enters the condenser. There it cools, releasing heat, and smoothly turns into a liquid state. Next, the freon passes through the choke and enters the evaporator. Here the liquid agent is mixed with the gaseous one. As it evaporates, it creates cooling. After this, the freon enters the compressor again, and the cycle closes. This is a simple diagram of how an air conditioner works.

Types of air conditioners

There are several types of air conditioners, although the operating principles are the same for all. Based on the type of air intake, such systems can be divided into:

inlet;
recirculation;
air conditioners with recuperation function.

Recirculation systems operate on internal air, supply systems use external air masses, and systems with a recovery function use both of these methods.

In addition to the indicated differentiation, there is another division of air conditioners:

Monoblock - systems consisting of one block, which combines all functions. They are very easy to use, easy to repair and last a long time. Such air conditioners are unpretentious. Their only disadvantage is their high cost.
Split systems consist of two separated blocks. One of them is placed outside the building, and the second indoors. Both parts of the system are connected by a tube through which freon circulates. The fan and evaporator of such an air conditioner are located in the indoor unit, and the remaining parts of the system are located in the external unit. Split systems differ in shape: there are floor, ceiling, and wall air conditioners of this type.
Multi-split systems differ in that they have several internal units, but there is still only one external unit. Such air conditioners can also be floor, wall or ceiling.

Possible system malfunctions

Today, in order to install and successfully configure such a system at home or in the office, it is not necessary to know how an air conditioning compressor works. But you need to understand some possible failures of air conditioning devices.

The most common cause of failure in split systems is water hammer. It occurs due to the fact that liquid freon enters the compressor. The agent does not have time to completely assume a gaseous state in the evaporator.

Water hammer occurs for several reasons.

This mostly happens with cheap air conditioners that are not designed quite correctly. Therefore, at the slightest temperature fluctuations, they can present unpleasant surprises. Water hammer can occur when starting an air conditioner in a room with negative temperatures. For an inexpensive system, a temperature of minus 10-12 degrees is enough to fail.

Dirty filters also cause water hammer. Air conditioners need to be maintained. It is advisable to regularly carry out preventive inspections of the system to avoid costly repairs.

Another malfunction of air conditioners is associated with a freon leak. This usually happens when the tubes are installed incorrectly. Leaks sometimes occur in inexpensive, poorly designed systems. Among very cheap models of air conditioners, you can find factory defects, when the tubes are simply either poorly screwed on or have a leak from the start. Freon leakage can be determined visually when the system is running. It causes freezing on the back wall of the air conditioner.

If the air conditioner is installed incorrectly, air and moisture may enter the circuit. This will soon lead to disruption of the device. Air in the circuit often causes air conditioner breakdowns.

Therefore, it is better to install a split system with the involvement of professionals who are not the first to install such units.

Benefits of air conditioning

The air conditioner creates optimal temperature conditions in your home and office. Recently, complex systems with the function of ionization and air humidification have even appeared. It has a very beneficial effect on people, but only if the system is taken care of. Because air conditioners, like any other device, require cleaning and regular repairs.

Dirty air conditioner filters are unlikely to make the air conditioner work as usefully as possible. There are known cases when, due to unkempt split systems, people experienced various ailments. If the owner of such a device wants to get the maximum benefit from it, then he must carefully monitor the condition of the air conditioner.

Video

The following videos will help you understand the operating principle of air conditioners:

And where does the refreshing coolness come from on a hot summer day? It is necessary to consider in detail the main principles of air conditioning systems. To do this, it is worth recalling school physics lessons, which dealt with the absorption of heat by a liquid, and a simple experiment: cologne or alcohol was poured onto your hand, which in the process created a pleasant chill. It is this simple principle that is used in modern air conditioners.

What does a standard split system consist of? As a rule, inside it there is a closed circuit along which the liquid moves -. Flowing inside the circuit, the refrigerant absorbs heat in one place in order to release it in another. This process takes place in special tubes - which are made of copper and contain transverse partitions made of aluminum. For faster processes, air is pumped into the heat exchangers using special fans.

Based on the name of the processes occurring in the heat exchanger, one of them is usually called, and the other -. When the air conditioner operates “heat” it acts as internal evaporator(the part of the air conditioner located in the room), and when operating “in the cold”, everything happens the other way around. That's how operating principle of air conditioner, but what's the point?

Cold itself is not a complete product, but only a derivative of the transfer of heat using a refrigerant. This process is called "" in the literature. Thanks to it, the performance of the air conditioner is three times higher than its energy consumption. At first glance, this may cause bewilderment: efficiency is 300% - is this really possible? What is refrigerant and how can it be transferred from a room where the temperature is about 20 degrees to outside where the temperature is twice as high?

It turns out that everything is much simpler than one might imagine. Temperature transfer directly depends on pressure, and it occurs not linearly, but monotonically. Thus, during transportation, the pressure value becomes higher than the phase transition temperature. The boiled refrigerant changes its state from liquid to vapor and begins to absorb heat from the surrounding air, while the necessary pressure is created in the heat exchanger, at which the phase transition temperature becomes lower than the ambient temperature. In the reverse process, the refrigerant releases its heat to the air and the junction temperature rises.

Another important detail in the operation of the air conditioner is closed loop, to create which you need at least two elements: - to increase the pressure and a throttling device - to lower it. The first of them is installed directly in front of the capacitor, and the second in front of.

In general, there are five elements that are required in any type of air conditioner: a closed circuit, an external and internal heat exchanger, a compressor and a throttling device. They are the main component of both the simplest and the most complex split systems.

Nowadays, for a fully functional air conditioner, a four-way valve is added to the circuit, thanks to which it can produce both heat and cold. This split system is called " reverse cycle air conditioner", the additional function of which was the transfer of heat from the room to the street and back.

3. Compressor- compresses freon and maintains its movement along the refrigeration circuit. The compressor is of piston or scroll type. Reciprocating compressors are cheaper but less reliable than scroll compressors, especially in low outside temperatures.
5. Four way valve- installed in reversible (heat - cold) air conditioners. In heating mode, this valve changes the direction of movement of freon. In this case, the indoor and outdoor units seem to change places: the indoor unit works for heating, and the outdoor unit for cooling.
4. Control board- as a rule, it is installed only on inverter air conditioners. In non-inverter models, they try to place all electronics in the indoor unit, since
Large changes in temperature and humidity reduce the reliability of electronic components.
1. Fan- creates a flow of air blowing over the condenser.
In inexpensive models it has only one rotation speed.
Such an air conditioner can operate stably in a small range of outdoor temperatures. In higher-class models designed for a wide temperature range, as well as in all semi-industrial air conditioners, the fan has 2 - 3 fixed rotation speeds or smooth adjustment.
2. Capacitor- a radiator in which freon is cooled and condensed. The air blown through the condenser is correspondingly heated.
7. Freon system filter- installed in front of the compressor inlet and protects it from copper chips and other small particles that may enter the system during installation of the air conditioner. Of course, if the installation was carried out in violation of the technology and a large amount of debris got into the system, then the filter will not help.
6. Union connections- copper pipes connecting the outdoor and indoor units are connected to them.
8. Protective quick release cover- covers the fitting connections and terminal block used to connect electrical cables. In some models, the protective cover covers only the terminal block, and the fitting connections remain outside.

Air conditioner indoor unit

1. Front panel- is a plastic grill through which air enters the unit. The panel can be easily removed for servicing the air conditioner (cleaning filters, etc.)
2. Coarse filter- is a plastic mesh and is designed to retain coarse dust, animal hair, etc. For normal operation of the air conditioner, the filter must be cleaned at least twice a month.
5. Evaporator- a radiator in which cold freon is heated and evaporated. The air blown through the radiator is cooled accordingly.
6. Horizontal blinds- regulate the direction of the air flow vertically. These blinds are electrically driven and their position can be adjusted using a remote control. In addition, the blinds can automatically perform oscillatory movements to evenly distribute air flow throughout the room.
7. Display panel- indicators (LEDs) are installed on the front panel of the air conditioner, showing the operating mode of the air conditioner and signaling possible malfunctions.
3. Fine filter- comes in different types: charcoal (removes unpleasant
odors), electrostatic (retains fine dust), etc. The presence or absence of fine filters does not have any effect on the operation of the air conditioner.
4. Fan- has 3 - 4 rotation speeds.
8. Vertical blinds- serve to adjust the direction of the air flow horizontally. In domestic air conditioners, the position of these blinds can only be adjusted manually. The ability to adjust from the remote control is only available in some premium air conditioner models.
Condensate tray(not shown in the figure) - located under the evaporator and serves to collect condensate (water formed on the surface of the cold evaporator). From the pan, water is discharged outside through a drainage hose.
Control board
(not shown in the figure) - usually located on the right side of the indoor unit. This board contains an electronics unit with a central microprocessor.
Union connections
(not shown in the figure) -
located at the lower rear of the indoor unit. Copper pipes connecting the outdoor and indoor units are connected to them.