Components of Air Conditioning System (Split type A/C system)

A schematic diagram for a split-type air conditioner (A/C) shows the basic components and how
they are connected. A split-type air conditioner consists of two main units: the indoor unit and
the outdoor unit. Below is a breakdown of the components typically found in the diagram and
their connections:

Components:

1. Indoor Unit:
o Evaporator Coil: Absorbs heat from the room.
o Blower Fan: Circulates air through the evaporator coil and into the room.
o Thermostat/Sensors: Detects the room temperature and controls the cooling
cycle.
o Filter: Removes dust and contaminants from the air.
o Drain Pipe: Removes condensate formed in the evaporator coil.
o Air Filter – Filters dust and particles before the air passes over the evaporator
coil.
2. Outdoor Unit:
o Compressor: Compresses refrigerant and pumps it to the indoor unit.
o Condenser Coil: Releases the absorbed heat outside.
o Condenser Fan: Helps dissipate heat from the condenser coil.
o Expansion Valve: Reduces the pressure of the refrigerant before it enters the
evaporator.
o Refrigerant Lines: Copper pipes that transport refrigerant between the indoor
and outdoor units.
 Suction Line: Carries low-pressure refrigerant gas from the indoor unit to
the outdoor unit.
 Liquid Line: Carries high-pressure refrigerant from the outdoor unit to
the indoor unit.
o Electrical Wiring: Powers both units and enables communication between them.
o Contactors: Control the power supply to the compressor and fans.
o Capacitors: Help start the compressor and fan motors.
o Relays: Manage electrical connections and operations.
o Draining System: Some outdoor units may include a drainage system for any
condensation that might accumulate during operation.
o Base or Mounting Frame: The outdoor unit is typically mounted on a sturdy
base or frame to elevate it off the ground, providing stability and preventing water
accumulation around the unit.
3. Power Supply:
o Electrical Panel: Supplies power to both the indoor and outdoor units.
o Disconnect Switch: Used to shut off power to the outdoor unit for maintenance.
4. Draining System
  Some outdoor units may include a drainage system for any condensation that might
accumulate during operation.

5. Base or Mounting Frame

 The outdoor unit is typically mounted on a sturdy base or frame to elevate it off the
ground, providing stability and preventing water accumulation around the unit.

Brief Description of the connections:

 Indoor Unit: Connected to the outdoor unit through refrigerant lines and electrical
wiring.
 Outdoor Unit: Typically located outside the building and contains the compressor and
condenser coil.
 Refrigerant Lines: Two copper pipes connect the indoor unit and outdoor unit, one for
high-pressure liquid refrigerant (liquid line) and one for low-pressure gas refrigerant
(suction line).
 Thermostat: Mounted inside the room, connected to the indoor unit, controlling the
temperature settings.
 Power Supply: Powers the entire system.

step by step description on how split system of a/c works

1. Thermostat Signals the System to Start

 The thermostat detects that the indoor temperature is higher than the desired setting.
 It sends a signal to the air conditioner to begin the cooling process.

2. Indoor Unit (Evaporator) Absorbs Heat

 The blower fan in the indoor unit pulls warm air from the room and passes it over the
evaporator coil, which contains cold, low-pressure refrigerant.
 The refrigerant inside the coil absorbs the heat from the air, cooling the air in the process.
 As the air loses heat, it also loses moisture. The water condenses on the evaporator coil
and drains away via a drain pipe.
 The now-cooled air is blown back into the room, reducing the temperature.

3. Refrigerant Carries Heat to the Outdoor Unit

 As the refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air, it changes from a cold liquid to a
warm, low-pressure gas.
 This refrigerant gas flows through the refrigerant pipe to the compressor in the outdoor
unit.

4. Compressor Pressurizes the Refrigerant

  In the outdoor unit, the compressor compresses the refrigerant gas, increasing its
pressure and temperature. The refrigerant becomes a hot, high-pressure gas.
 The compressor is key to moving the refrigerant through the system and ensuring it can
release heat outside.

5. Outdoor Unit (Condenser) Releases Heat

 The hot, high-pressure refrigerant gas flows into the condenser coil in the outdoor unit.
 The condenser fan blows outdoor air over the condenser coil, cooling the refrigerant and
releasing the heat into the atmosphere.
 As the refrigerant loses heat, it changes from a gas back to a high-pressure liquid.

6. Expansion Valve Reduces Pressure

 The high-pressure liquid refrigerant flows back toward the indoor unit and passes through
the expansion valve.
 The expansion valve reduces the refrigerant pressure, cooling it down to prepare it for the
next cycle.
 The refrigerant is now a cold, low-pressure liquid, ready to absorb more heat from indoor
air.

7. Cycle Repeats

 The cycle repeats as long as the thermostat continues to signal that cooling is needed.
 The refrigerant keeps flowing between the indoor and outdoor units, absorbing heat
indoors and releasing it outdoors.

8. System Shuts Down When Desired Temperature is Reached

 Once the thermostat detects that the room has reached the desired temperature, it sends a
signal to stop the cooling cycle, and the system goes into standby mode.

Accumulator as a component in the outdoor unit

The accumulator in an outdoor unit of a split air conditioning (A/C) system plays a vital role in
managing refrigerant flow and ensuring the efficient operation of the system. Here’s a detailed
look at its functions:

Functions of the Accumulator

1. Refrigerant Storage:
o The accumulator acts as a storage reservoir for the refrigerant. It temporarily
holds excess refrigerant, which can be especially useful during periods of low
cooling demand when the compressor is not running continuously.
2. Prevention of Liquid Refrigerant Return:
 o The primary function of the accumulator is to prevent liquid refrigerant from
returning to the compressor. If liquid refrigerant enters the compressor, it can
cause damage, a phenomenon known as "liquid slugging." The accumulator
allows only vaporized refrigerant to enter the compressor, protecting it from
potential harm.
3. Suction Line Management:
o The accumulator is usually located on the suction line, which carries refrigerant
gas from the evaporator to the compressor. It ensures that the gas entering the
compressor is at the correct temperature and pressure for efficient operation.
4. Heat Exchange:
o In some designs, the accumulator may also facilitate heat exchange. It can help
cool the incoming vapor refrigerant by allowing it to mix with the colder liquid
refrigerant stored inside, improving efficiency.
5. Moisture Removal:
o Some accumulators have built-in desiccants that absorb moisture from the
refrigerant. This is important because moisture can cause corrosion and damage to
the compressor and other components of the system.
6. Pressure Regulation:
o The accumulator helps regulate pressure in the system by maintaining the proper
balance between liquid and vapor refrigerant, which aids in overall system
efficiency.

Summary

In summary, the accumulator is crucial for:

 Storing excess refrigerant

 Preventing liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor
 Managing suction line pressure and temperature
 Enhancing the efficiency and longevity of the A/C system by protecting it from liquid
slugging and moisture-related issues.

Liquid slugging

Liquid slugging is a phenomenon that occurs in refrigeration and air conditioning systems when
liquid refrigerant enters the compressor instead of vapor. This condition can lead to serious
operational issues and potential damage to the compressor. Here’s a detailed explanation of
liquid slugging, its causes, and its effects:

What is Liquid Slugging?

 Definition: Liquid slugging happens when the compressor is forced to compress liquid
refrigerant instead of vapor. Compressors are designed to compress gases, and
introducing liquid into the compression chamber can create excessive pressure and
mechanical stress.
Causes of Liquid Slugging

1. Incorrect Refrigerant Charge:

o An overcharged system can lead to an excess of refrigerant that accumulates in
the evaporator coil, causing liquid refrigerant to return to the compressor.
2. Low Evaporator Temperature:
o If the evaporator temperature drops too low (due to dirty coils, restricted airflow,
or malfunctioning expansion valves), it can lead to excessive liquid refrigerant in
the suction line.
3. Faulty Expansion Valve:
o A malfunctioning expansion valve can fail to regulate the flow of refrigerant
properly, leading to liquid refrigerant bypassing the evaporator and entering the
compressor.
4. Improper System Design:
o Inadequate sizing or design of the refrigerant lines can cause improper refrigerant
flow, leading to liquid slugging.
5. Flooding of the Evaporator:
o If the evaporator is flooded with liquid refrigerant (due to high humidity or poor
heat exchange), some of this liquid can return to the compressor.

Effects of Liquid Slugging

1. Compressor Damage:
o Compressors are not designed to handle liquid refrigerant. Liquid slugging can
lead to:
 Hydraulic Lock: When too much liquid enters the compressor, it can
cause a hydraulic lock, preventing the compressor from cycling properly
and leading to potential mechanical failure.
 Bearing Damage: The increased pressure and stress can damage the
compressor bearings.
2. Increased Wear and Tear:
o Continuous slugging can lead to premature wear of the compressor components,
reducing its lifespan.
3. Reduced System Efficiency:
o The presence of liquid refrigerant in the compressor can lead to inefficient
operation, causing the system to work harder and consume more energy.
4. System Shutdown:
o In some cases, if the compressor experiences liquid slugging, it may lead to
system shutdown or failure, resulting in a loss of cooling.

Prevention of Liquid Slugging

To prevent liquid slugging, several measures can be taken:

 Proper Refrigerant Charging: Ensure that the system is charged with the correct
amount of refrigerant.
  Regular Maintenance: Regularly inspect and maintain the system components,
including cleaning the evaporator coils and checking airflow.
 Functional Expansion Valve: Ensure that the expansion valve is functioning properly to
regulate the flow of refrigerant.
 System Design: Ensure that the system is correctly designed and sized to handle the
expected refrigerant flow.

Flow of refrigerant in the accumulator

The accumulator in an outdoor unit of a split air conditioning (A/C) system plays a key role in
managing the flow of refrigerant, particularly ensuring that only vapor enters the compressor.
Here’s a detailed description of the refrigerant flow through the accumulator:

1. Refrigerant from the Indoor Unit

 The cycle begins when low-pressure refrigerant gas (a mixture of vapor and possibly
some liquid) exits the evaporator coil in the indoor unit.
 This refrigerant travels through the suction line towards the outdoor unit.

2. Entering the Accumulator

 The refrigerant enters the accumulator from the suction line.

 At this point, the refrigerant may contain a mixture of vapor and liquid, particularly if the
evaporator is flooded due to improper operation or overcharging.

3. Separation of Liquid and Vapor

 Inside the accumulator, there is a design that allows the separation of liquid refrigerant
from vapor. This can be achieved through:
o Baffles: Internal components that create barriers for the refrigerant, helping to
separate liquid from vapor.
o Dome: The upper part of the accumulator allows the refrigerant vapor to rise
while denser liquid refrigerant settles at the bottom.

4. Liquid Storage

 The accumulator temporarily holds the excess liquid refrigerant at the bottom. This
liquid refrigerant can accumulate if the system has too much refrigerant or if the
evaporator coil is operating inefficiently.

5. Vapor Flow to the Compressor

 The vaporized refrigerant rises to the top of the accumulator.

 A suction port or outlet at the top of the accumulator allows only the vaporized
refrigerant to flow out and enter the compressor.
  This ensures that only vapor enters the compressor, preventing the potential for liquid
slugging.

6. Protection from Moisture

 Some accumulators have built-in desiccants or filters that remove moisture from the
refrigerant. Moisture can be harmful to the compressor and other system components,
causing corrosion and efficiency loss.

7. Return to the Compressor

 The vaporized refrigerant exits the accumulator and flows through the suction line to the
compressor.
 Here, the vapor is compressed, increasing its pressure and temperature, and the cycle
continues.

Summary of Refrigerant Flow in the Accumulator

1. Low-pressure refrigerant (vapor and liquid) enters the accumulator from the indoor unit.
2. Inside the accumulator, liquid and vapor refrigerant are separated.
3. The accumulator stores excess liquid refrigerant at the bottom.
4. Only the vaporized refrigerant rises to the top and exits through the suction port to the
compressor.
5. The accumulator also helps to remove moisture from the refrigerant.

This flow process ensures that the compressor operates efficiently and safely by preventing
liquid refrigerant from entering it, thereby protecting the system from potential damage and
enhancing overall performance.