When an air conditioner compressor is turned off from the outside (for example, by using the thermostat or the power switch), the following happens:
Disengagement of Compressor: The electrical power supply to the compressor is interrupted, causing it to disengage. This means that the compressor's motor stops running, and it ceases to pump refrigerant through the air conditioning system.
Pressure Equalization: When the compressor stops running, the refrigerant in the system is no longer being compressed and circulated. As a result, the pressure in the system starts to equalize. The high-pressure refrigerant gas in the compressor and the condenser coils will begin to dissipate its heat and convert back into a liquid state.
Temperature Change: As the compressor is no longer actively cooling the air, the temperature inside the air conditioning system and the surrounding environment will start to rise gradually.
Shutdown Mechanisms: Modern air conditioning systems often have built-in shutdown mechanisms or safety features. These features may include a time delay to protect the compressor from rapid on-off cycling or pressure switches that prevent the compressor from restarting immediately after shutdown.
Indoor Fan May Continue: In some systems, the indoor fan might continue to operate for a short while even after the compressor is turned off. This helps to utilize the remaining cool air in the system and distribute it throughout the space.
It's important to note that turning off the air conditioner compressor will stop the cooling process, but the fan may continue to circulate the existing air in the room until it reaches the indoor temperature set on the thermostat or until the fan is manually turned off.
If you want to turn off the air conditioner completely, including the indoor fan, you would need to turn off the power supply to the entire unit.