How to Determine if a Compressor is Good or Bad?

[DeSimon]

To determine the condition of an air conditioning compressor, first learn to identify the three terminals on the compressor: S, R, and C. Here, S is the start winding, R is the run winding, and C is the common terminal. Then, use a multimeter to measure the resistance values. The sum of the resistances between SC and RC should equal the resistance between RS, which indicates normal operation. Relevant information about compressors is as follows: 1. A compressor is a driven fluid machine that converts low-pressure gas into high-pressure gas and serves as the heart of a refrigeration system. It draws in low-temperature, low-pressure refrigerant gas through the suction pipe, compresses it via piston movement driven by an electric motor, and then discharges high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant gas through the discharge pipe, providing power for the refrigeration cycle. 2. Compressors can be classified by principle into positive displacement compressors and dynamic compressors. Positive displacement compressors are further divided into reciprocating compressors and rotary compressors, while dynamic compressors include axial compressors, centrifugal compressors, and mixed-flow compressors.