Thermostat The thermostat is the command center for your A/C.

If you have a
programmable model, it monitors the temperature inside your home and tells the other
components when to start up and shut down based on your input.

Evaporator coil The heat transfer process that cools your homes air occurs in this coil
of copper tubing situated in the indoor air handler unit (AHU). As liquid refrigerant
makes its way through the tubing, it converts into a gas and absorbs heat and humidity.

Blower fan The AHU also contains the blower fan thats responsible for air distribution
throughout your home. When signaled by the thermostat, the blower cycles on and pulls
warm air in through the return vents, sends it across the evaporator to be cooled and
pushes the conditioned air through the supply ducts to various rooms.

Air filter Another key component located in the AHU is the air filter. Its positioned to
trap particles in the incoming air to prevent a buildup of debris that can interfere with
heat transfer and damage system components.

Compressor The boxlike unit sitting outside contains a compressor pump to circulate
refrigerant through the system. The compressor receives refrigerant from the evaporator,
pressurizes it and sends it to the condenser.

Condenser coil Sitting alongside the compressor, the condenser coil is responsible for
removing captured indoor heat in the refrigerant arriving from the compressor. As
refrigerant moves through the coils copper tubing, it reverts from a gas to a liquid and
releases heat as it does so.

Outdoor fan Positioned above the condenser in the outdoor unit is a cooling fan that
boosts airflow over the coil and increases the efficiency of its heat transfer process.

We logically begin with the main parts, dont we?

It consists of,

A compressor

A condenser, an evaporator, and a fan each

An expansion valve

Lengths of tube

Refrigerant
The compressor

This air conditioner part works to compress refrigerant gas from the outlet of the evaporator, into
a high pressure gas. It works by compressing the gas mechanically in three categories:

Continuously reducing the gas volume. Compressor that fall under this category is the
piston, or the reciprocating compressor

Positively displacing the gas through a set of guides, from inlet to outlet of the
compressor. Scroll and rotary compressors fall under this category.

Or raising the pressure through changing kinetic energy from inlet, to potential energy at
outlet. The centrifugal compressor falls under this category.

Piston, scroll and rotary compressors are used in most air conditioning applications. These
compressors deliver medium-to-high pressure ranges, with medium-to-low refrigerant flows.

Centrifugal compressors application in air conditioners are used for relatively very high capacity
of cooling. It is capable of delivering very high quantity of refrigerant flow, at relatively low
pressure. Therefore, the use of centrifugal compressors as one of air conditioner parts is quite
limited.

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The piston compressor:

This compressor type, works by continuously reducing the refrigerant gas volume inside the gas
chamber. The compression is achieved by a piston, continuously moving in a linear motion,
between one point and another.

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The rotary compressor:

This one is equipped with an eccentrically placed ring to positively displace refrigerant gas from
inlet port, to outlet port. The rotary motion of the lobe will sweep the refrigerant across the ports.

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Scroll compressors:

Scroll compressors are accepted quite recently into air conditioner parts. When
compressors are in the topic, recent means early 1900s. The piston compressor was developed in
1600s.
Getting back into the context, scroll compressors may deliver the required cooling in air
conditioners, at a smaller size and it is relatively quiet compared to piston compressors.

Two spirals will be involved in this compressor type. One is stationary and another mating spiral
or scroll, will be orbiting around the stationary scroll and continuously trapping and displacing
refrigerant gas from suction, to discharge.

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Centrifugal compressors:

This compressor operates using the principle of energy conversion. It converts kinetic energy,
into potential energy of gas.

The impeller of the compressor will rotate at high speed, thus "throwing out" gas at the outer part
of the impeller. Hence, this will create a low pressure area at the suction eye of the impeller.

The gas will be accelerated from suction eye to the outer end of the impeller, and then slowed
down by diverging area. Hence, kinetic energy is transformed into potential energy, which is
pressure or head.

These equipments are usually run using an electric motor. However, there are situations when an
air conditioner compressor is run using an internal combustion engine, a steam turbine or a gas
turbine. It mostly depends on the power requirement.

That was the overview of compressors in air conditioner parts. Lets move on to

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The condenser, the evaporator and the fans

I have grouped these air conditioner parts into a common sub topic, as these have common
function. That function is, to aid and enhance heat exchange between two mediums.

Nevertheless, the process of condensation and evaporation are not similar.

The condenser and evaporator are made from a panel of winding tube. This tube must be of good
thermal conductivity, low affinity to oxidise (or corrode in laymen terms), and easy to bend.

This winding tube will be passed through a set of metallic fins, to improve heat transfer from the
tube by means of conduction.

We will need a fan for each heat exchanger (the condenser and the evaporator), to continuously
supply those with fresh air. This will enhance the heat transfer between air and each heat
exchanger.
Next on main air conditioner parts,

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The expansion valve

This is the area of restriction, where it allows pressure build up from the compressor, and
separates the high pressure and low pressure sides of an air conditioner.

There are two types of common expansion valves used in air conditioning units. These are:

Thermostatic expansion valve, and

Capillary tube

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Thermostatic expansion valve:

Thermostatic expansion valves operate by actuation of spring loaded valve seat opening, by
pressure sensed at the outlet of evaporator.

If the evaporator is warmer than the set load, pressure in the sensing bulb will increase, thus
pushing the seat down and allowing more liquid refrigerant into expansion zone.

The opposite will occur if the evaporators exit is cooler than the set load.

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Capillary tube:

This expansion valve, is not really a valve. It is purely a small tube with no moving parts.

The diameter is smaller than the condensers and evaporators line. Hence, a restriction is created
and expansion is allowed to happen at the low pressure zone.

Refrigerant flow control is more difficult with this tube, as an expansion device.

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Lengths of tube

This is a transport means for air conditioner refrigerants. The preferable characteristic for this
tube are, easy to deform, difficult to oxidise, or corrode and has a good thermal conductivity.

These tubes are fitted with appropriate fittings and valves for maintenance.
The liquid supply line will normally have smaller diameter, compared to the gas return line to the
compressor.

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Refrigerant

Refrigerant is defined as the medium that absorbs heat or expels heat as it evaporates or
condenses.

I have put this into main air conditioner parts, as the cooling effect could not be possibly
achieved without refrigerant.

The criteria of refrigerant for air conditioning systems are:

Lower boiling temperature than minimum air temperature at evaporator, and

Higher temperature than maximum air temperature after compression

Nonflammable and non-toxic

Refrigerants are mixed with a small quantity of oil to lubricate the compressors moving parts.
Therefore, refrigerants are also required to have good mixing properties with compressors
lubricants.

Wow, thats quite an overview of main air conditioner parts.

Back to categories

Lets move on to auxiliary and support air conditioner parts:

These parts are essential as support parts for main air conditioning equipment. I have
termed these following equipments as auxiliary and support, as the air conditioner could still run
without these parts.

The catch is, your air conditioner will fail much quicker than its intended design life. The list of
parts:

Filter dryer and receiver

Air conditioner filters

Tube insulation
 Muffler

Casing and casing parts

Filter dryer and receiver

These three functions are normally achieved in a single part. Brumbaugh in his HVAC
Fundamentals. Volume 3: Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps, and Distribution Systems book, stated
that this equipment or part is not required if the system is completely sealed and assembled in
factory.

It is only required for systems that will have high possibilities of system servicing, where
refrigerant needs to be discharged from the system.

This part is used for delivering accumulated liquid refrigerant to thermostatic expansion valve,
that is dried by desiccant, and filtered by fabric filter.

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Air conditioner filters

Air filters are placed inside the indoor unit (or the unit that provides you the comfort air). These
filters have the function of trapping necessary odor and dust, hence providing you with cleaner
air from the evaporator fan, or blower.

These may be of disposable, or reusable type.

The disposable ones are normally made of fiberglass or foam, and the reusable ones are normally
made of polyester material.

The reusable ones normally have the characteristic of trapping dust through electrostatic charge.

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Tube insulation

Tube insulations are essential to minimise unnecessary heat loss through conduction. When
cooling is concerned, we would like to get as much condensation as possible in order to liquefy
the refrigerant much quicker.

However, we wouldnt want water condensation to happen along the line returning to the
compressor. It will cause continuous dripping of water along the line and moss formation.

Therefore, evaporator return lines are normally fitted with synthetic rubber insulation.
This insulation keeps the return refrigerant gas quite cool. Hence this refrigerant will also
function as coolant to the compressor.

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Muffler

Muffler is an air conditioner part, required to lower the noise of compression at the discharge
line. It works by canceling out the sound waves created by the rapid refrigerant gas compression.

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Casing and casing parts

Casings add the final touch to air conditioner parts. It is where youll have the mounting for air
filters, compressors, condensers, expansion valves and control units. It has provisions for
mounting to walls and floor.

Another important part of the casing is the condensation tray. This is the place where water
condensates will be collected and drained out appropriately.

Simple as it may sound, this final touch determines how you transport and install it, and it keeps
your air conditioner unit safe from unnecessary intrusions.

It also adds to the aesthetics of an air conditioner. Well, you have a superb air conditioning unit.
It wouldnt hurt to have it good looking as well.

Moving on to the final category of air conditioner parts,

Back to categories

The control parts:

This group of air conditioner parts plays the role of keeping your comfort at optimal level,
keeping the air conditioning unit reliable, and helps you keep the utility bills low.

The parts are,

Thermostat

Humidistat and hygrometer

Contactor, and
 Dampers

The thermostat

Works using the principle of resistance to translate current into temperature signal. This signal
will be compared to the set temperature set by you.

Analog thermostats work using wire resistance, coupled with bi-metallic strip to convert the
temperature into mechanical motion and send the on/off signal.

Digital thermostats on the other hand, work using thermistor to translate resistance into
temperature, and send the necessary signal to on/off actuation part.

The air conditioning unit will be kept running, if the sent signal is higher than the set signal by
you (in a cooling cycle). It will run until the determined temperature is reached.

All the on/off signal, is sent to the

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Humidistat and hygrometer

This instrument is used to measure and control the humidity of air by controlling, fan and blower
speed, on-off switching of fan and blower, air conditioner, humidifier, and dehumidifier.

It operates under the main principle of material expansion and contraction due to change in
moisture.

There are however, other methods used to measure and control humidity through this air
conditioner part.

Read more about it over here

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Contactor

This is what I call as, the "traffic light" of air conditioner parts. If the signal received is "on",
then the compressor and fans circuits will be closed. The circuits will be opened (or
disconnected) if the received signal is "off".

The function is achieved by contactors motion under solenoids magnetic force, using current
sent from the thermostat.
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Dampers

Could be manually operated. Could also be electrically operated. The function is to control the
temperature of the air into the room by varying the opening of the duct.