A split air conditioner is a type of air conditioning system that consists of two main components: an indoor unit and an outdoor unit. It is called a "split" AC because the indoor and outdoor units are separate and connected through refrigerant lines and electrical cables. Here's how a split air conditioner works:
- Indoor Unit: The indoor unit is usually installed inside the room or space you want to cool. It contains the following key components:
a. Evaporator Coil: The evaporator coil is responsible for absorbing heat from the indoor air. It contains cold refrigerant, and as warm air from the room passes over the coil, the refrigerant absorbs the heat, cooling the air.
b. Blower Fan: The blower fan is located behind the evaporator coil and circulates the cooled air into the room.
c. Air Filter: The indoor unit typically has an air filter that helps remove dust, allergens, and other particles from the air, improving indoor air quality.
- Outdoor Unit: The outdoor unit is installed outside the building, usually on a wall or on the ground. It houses the following main components:
a. Compressor: The compressor is the heart of the air conditioning system. It compresses the low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant gas coming from the indoor unit, raising its temperature and pressure.
b. Condenser Coil: The condenser coil is responsible for releasing the heat absorbed from the indoor air. As the refrigerant passes through the condenser coil, it dissipates heat to the outside air.
c. Fan: The outdoor unit also has a fan that helps in dissipating heat from the condenser coil. This fan expels the hot air generated during the cooling process to the surroundings.
- Refrigerant Lines and Expansion Valve: The indoor and outdoor units are connected by two refrigerant lines, which circulate the refrigerant between the two units. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air in the evaporator coil and carries it to the outdoor unit, where it releases the heat through the condenser coil.
The expansion valve, located between the indoor and outdoor units, regulates the flow of refrigerant and controls its pressure. It allows the refrigerant to expand into a low-pressure, low-temperature gas in the indoor evaporator coil, starting the cooling cycle again.
Working Process: When you turn on the split AC, the indoor unit's blower fan draws warm indoor air over the cold evaporator coil. The refrigerant in the evaporator coil absorbs the heat from the air, making the air cooler. The cooled air is then blown back into the room, providing a cooling effect.
The absorbed heat is carried by the refrigerant to the outdoor unit, where it is released to the outside environment through the condenser coil. The outdoor fan helps in expelling the hot air generated during this process. The refrigerant, now in a cool, low-pressure state, returns to the indoor unit through the refrigerant lines and the expansion valve, starting the cycle again.
This continuous cycle of absorbing heat from indoor air and releasing it outside allows the split air conditioner to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. The process continues until you turn off the AC or adjust the temperature settings.