Air conditioner inverter

An inverter in an air conditioner is used to control the speed of the compressor motor to
drive variable refrigerant flow in an air conditioning system to regulate the conditionedspace temperature. By contrast, traditional air conditioners regulate temperature by using a
compressor that is periodically either working at maximum capacity or switched off entirely.
Inverter-equipped air conditioners have a variable-frequency drive that incorporates an
adjustable electrical inverter to control the speed of the motor and thus the compressor and cooling
output.
The variable-frequency drive uses a rectifier to convert the incoming alternating current (AC)
to direct current (DC) and then uses pulse-width modulation in an electrical inverterto produce AC
of a desired frequency. The variable frequency AC drives a brushless motor or an induction motor.
As the speed of an induction motor is proportional to the frequency of the AC, the compressor can
now run at different speeds.[citation needed] A microcontroller can then sample the current ambient air
temperature and adjust the speed of the compressor appropriately.The additional electronics and
system hardware adds cost to the equipment installation but can result in substantial savings in
operating costs.[1]
Eliminating stop-start cycles increases efficiency.

What is an inverter air conditioner?

An inverter model means that the compressor is powered by a variable
speed drive or inverter, which enables the compressor to run at a range
of speeds from slow to fast, to match the output required. Most
conventional compressors run at a constant speed and these types of
units vary their capacity by switching on and off at different intervals.
Inverters are a sophisticated piece of technology which improve the
performance and energy efficiency of air conditioners under normal use.
Inverter models are marked in the web site listing for air conditioners. See
also the following question.

Why dont inverter type air conditioners get a

higher star rating?
For standard air conditioners (which use single speed compressors) the
efficiency does not vary significantly at part load reduced load output
(heating or cooling) is achieved by the unit turning on and off through the
thermostat or temperature control system. Inverter units use a variable
speed drive in the motor system that drives the compressor. While these
systems tend to look less efficient at full load (i.e. their star rating at rated
capacity, which is the rating on the energy rating label, is not always as
high as conventional air conditioners), they tend to be very efficient at part
load operation, which is a more common mode in a typical household.
This is achieved by reducing the continuous compressor output which
increases the efficiency of the refrigeration system (as the apparent size of
the condenser and evaporator is larger). Performance does vary between
models, so the actual part load performance of inverter units should be
sought from manufacturers. Inverter units are now marked on the air
conditioner energy rating product listing and part load efficiency data is
also available for some inverter models.

Inverter split air conditioners:

1. More expensive.
2. Start at higher RPMs, cools faster and achieve desired temperature faster than non-inverter
types.
3. Reach temperature and slows down compressor and maintain temperature.
4. As a result more energy efficient.

DC Inverter Air Conditioner

In recent years, DC inverter air conditioner is becoming more popular compared to the
conventional air conditioner due to its many advantages. As the compressor takes the
most power in any air conditioning system, the change in the compressor technology
has enabled better and more efficient air conditioner or heatpump to be deployed.

AC Induction Motor
In a 3-phase AC induction motor, the stator of the motor has windings that are
designed in such as way that a rotating magnetic field is produced when a 3-phase AC
voltages are applied to the windings.
The rotor usually has windings that is embedded within iron laminates. As power is
supplied to the windings, the magnetic field is produced in the rotor that causes it
react with the magnetic field in the stator.
The rotating magnetic field of the stator pulls the rotor around with the rotor trying to
keep up with the rotating field. The falling behind or slips is about a few percent. This
design is one of the conventional ways of driving a 3-phase motor in a compressor.

DC Brushless Motor
In a DC brushless motor used in the DC inverter air conditioner or heatpump, the rotor
of the motor is constructed using permanent magnets with windings on the stator.
There are no brushes and commutator compared to typical DC motor hence
eliminating concerns such as sparks, brush life, brush residue and electrical noise. The
windings of the motor are connected to the power electronics control that determine
the speed of the motor by the use of micro controller.
Various protection and monitoring circuits are built into the electronic controls to
ensure efficiency and reliability. This type of motor is being used in more design due to
its better reliability and energy efficiency.
Hence, the main advantages of a DC brushless motor compressor is its quiet
operation, compact, longer life time, energy saving and better capacity control which
translates to a more comfortable environment for the peoples using the equipment. Its
usage is no longer confined to air conditioner equipment but also in refrigerators,
washing machines, pumps and fans.
In many ductless split DC inverter design, the indoor fan used is DC fan instead of AC
fan. Similarly, the outdoor fan used is DC fan instead of the conventional AC fan. When
purchasing your unit, check with the personnel whether the compressor and fans used
are DC type before making a decision of buying the air conditioner or heatpump.

DC Inverter Control Circuitry

The electronics control is the most complicated part of a DC inverter system hence
making it one of the most costly component of the air conditioner, the other part being
the compressor.

Let us look at the control circuity for the DC compressor that takes its supply from a
single phase power supply. There are many variation of design and we will look at a
design that uses power factor correction that gives better power factor.

The first section consists of a DC converter

The DC converter converts the incoming power supply from AC to DC using four diodes
connected like a bridge. Inductors and capacitors are connected before the converter
to reduce the electrical noise being introduced into the power supply due to the
switching of the transistors.
In the simplified diagram below, the single phase power supply is used. If 3-phase
supply is used, six diodes will be needed to convert the AC power to DC power.

The second section being PFC or power factor correction

Being an active power converter means that the power factor correction for this design
is able to correct the power factor of the equipment to more than 98% compared to
the other solution based on LC (inductor and capacitor) filter.
It also helps to reduce the harmonic current emission to a low level which
is acceptable to the standards being imposed by the Electromagnetic Compatibility
technical committee. The only setback with this method is the higher cost needed for
its implementation.

The third section is the INVERTER consisting of IGBT transistors

This section generates 3 phase voltage supply to the DC compressor motor. In the
initial design, the designers used six discrete IGBT transistors which are controlled by
the microcomputer.

The software is written in such a way that proper signals are being used to power ON
or OFF each transistors at a correct timing depending on the feedback such as the
position of the rotors in relation to the stator motor and the voltage levels detected.
The brushless DC motor of the compressor will receive close to a 3 phase sinusoidal
voltage that turns the motor ON. The speed of the motor can be controlled from low to
high by varying the power supplied to the motor through the switching of the
transistors. In this way, capacity controlled HVAC can be achieved. When cooling or
heating is needed immediately, the motor will turn at the highest speed. When the
temperature of the room has stabilized, the motor will turn at a lower speed.
Newer design makes use of power modules known as IPM or Intelligent Power Modules
where the 6 IGBT transistors, detection circuit, overload conditions and other
parameters are being built in an encapsulated casing. It looks like an integrated circuit
except that it is very much bigger in size.