What Causes Compressor Failure?
1 Answers
Compressor failure may be caused by liquid refrigerant entering the compressor, resulting in liquid compression, or poor oil return to the compressor. Below are detailed explanations of compressor failure: Liquid compression inside the compressor: When liquid refrigerant enters the compressor, it causes liquid compression, leading to the breakage of the scroll. As the liquid refrigerant enters the compressor chamber and undergoes compression, the incompressibility of the liquid exerts extreme lateral shear forces on the scroll, causing the fixed and orbiting scrolls to break and the compressor to seize. The solution is to immediately close the compressor's suction shut-off valve and stop the liquid supply by closing the expansion valve. Poor oil return to the compressor: Poor oil return (oil shortage) in the system prevents the compressor from delivering sufficient oil to all lubrication points. This causes friction at each lubrication point to intensify progressively from bottom to top. The friction leads to overheating of the orbiting scroll bushing, eventually causing it to burn out or even seize. In severe cases, the bushing may experience significant wear and breakage. It is essential to promptly check and replenish the compressor oil.