What can be more satisfying than a cold blast of air on your face on summer noon? We all know how essential car AC is for driving comfortably in the hot season. However, very few of us might be familiar with the components that make up a car’s air conditioning system. Car air conditioning has become indispensable for a perfect driving experience.
As an important component of your car’s system, it is critical to get your air conditioning unit serviced occasionally. Additionally, to select the right air conditioning system for your car, you need to understand its components and the different types of systems available.
Read on to explore the different components that make up a car’s air conditioning system.
Different Components of a Car Air Conditioning System
Here is a discussion of the several components comprising the car air conditioning system:
The compressor in the car air conditioning system is like its heart. The gaseous refrigerant is compressed into a liquid and subsequently circulated throughout the system. It functions like a pump, moving and pressurising the refrigerant to ensure it flows properly through the other components.
The condenser in the car air conditioning system works like a radiator. It cools down the high-pressure refrigerant gas from the compressor, turning the gas into liquid as it loses heat. Typically, the condenser is placed in front of the vehicle's radiator, near the engine.
The expansion valve in a car’s air conditioning system controls the refrigerant’s flow, which is essential for cooling the air. It reduces the refrigerant’s pressure, causing it to change from liquid to vapour in the evaporator. This pressure drop cools down the refrigerant.
The evaporator in the car AC system is analogous to the cooling coil found in refrigerators that cools the air by absorbing heat. Simply put, the evaporator evaporates the refrigerant, turning it from a liquid to a gas, before returning it to the condenser. This process of continuous evaporation and condensation operates in a cycle.
The orifice tube has a specific length and width and works to expand the refrigerant. It resembles a cone and helps restrict the flow of refrigerant. By regulating the refrigerant's flow into the evaporator, it maintains the proper temperature and pressure.
Sometimes, liquid refrigerant can flow into the compressor without having converted it into vapor, which can damage the compressor. To prevent this, a receiver dryer is placed between the evaporator and the compressor. It ensures that any remaining liquid is transformed into vapour before it enters the compressor.
The main purpose of the AC inline filter in a car AC system is to trap contaminants and provide clean and fresh air. It captures impurities that could otherwise damage the compressor and restrict oil flow.
Car air conditioning systems use a refrigerant as the heat exchange medium due to its low boiling point. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the vehicle, enabling the system to provide cool air. It changes from liquid to gas and back, absorbing heat in the process. The compressor and condenser control the refrigerant flow in the car AC system, drawing warm air and pumping cool air into the cabin.
The accumulator in car AC systems serves a similar function to that of the receiver dryer. However, the key difference is that the accumulator works on the gaseous side of the AC loop. While the accumulator serves several purposes, its primary role is to prevent compressor failure caused by liquid slugging. Additionally, it absorbs moisture and contaminants.
Common Types of Car AC Systems
Now that we’ve looked at the various components of the car AC system let’s explore the different types of car AC systems. The main difference between the two leading types lies in the positioning of certain components. Here are the two main types of car AC systems:
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Orifice Tube and Accumulator System
The orifice tube is placed before the evaporator in the Orifice Tube and accumulator system, while the accumulator is positioned before the compressor. Note that the Orifice Tube system is a simpler and less expensive type of car air conditioning system compared to the expansion valve system. It also requires comparatively less maintenance.
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Expansion Valve and Receiver Dryer System
In the expansion valve and receiver dryer system, the expansion valve is positioned before the evaporator, and the receiver dryer is placed between the condenser and the inline filter kit. The expansion valve system is more efficient than the Orifice Tube system but also more expensive. Additionally, it requires more maintenance compared to the Orifice Tube system.
Conclusion
Knowing about the car AC system helps you choose the right one for your vehicle. The car AC system is a vital component that requires appropriate maintenance and care to function properly. It’s important to have it regularly serviced to check for leaks and damage.
In addition to caring for your car's AC system, having comprehensive car insurance is crucial to safeguard your vehicle and get coverage against common types of damage. By selecting the right car insurance online, you can drive with peace of mind without worrying about your car's health.
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