In this article, I will share the main components of a central air conditioning system and how it works.
Understanding the working principle of central air conditioning is going to help you know how to fix it whenever there is a fault.
Anyway, if you are familiar with how the refrigeration system works then it will be very easier for you to understand this air conditioning system.
You might like this: Vapour Compression Refrigeration System: Components And Working Principle
Without wasting time, let me share what you need to know about central air conditioning systems.
Main components of central air conditioning system;
Inlet; allows fresh air into the air conditioning system.
Mixing box; helps circulate tempered air.
Filter; it cleans the air entering the air conditioning system.
Preheater and Final heater or reheater; it’s used to heat the air in the ducts of the air conditioning system.
Washer; it’s used to clean the air and regulate its temperature.
Exhaust duct; it takes out the exhaust air/tempered air to the atmosphere to allow clean air to circulate in the ducts.
Dampers; are used to control the amount of air entering the air conditioning system.
Ducts; convey air through the entire air conditioning system.
Now that you have to know the main components of a central air conditioning system, let me share the working principle.
Working principle of central air conditioning system.
The fluid used in this air conditioning system is air.
The action of the fan near the inlet forces air to enter the central air conditioning system through the inlet.
The dampers control the amount of air entering the air conditioning system. The air is then taken to the mixing box.
The mixing box contains fresh and tempered air. The tempered air is the air which has already been used but it’s recirculated back to the air conditioning system to reduce the energy cost.
After leaving the mixing box, the air enters the filter where it’s cleaned off the impurities.
This is to ensure that the air has no dust or solid particles when circulating in the ducts. Filtering the air also helps in keeping the ducts clean and quiet.
From the filter, the air enters the preheater where it’s heated to increase its energy content.
Increasing the energy content of the air makes it move faster within the central air conditioning system.
But this is not the only function, you will know more about why the air is heating in the central air conditioning system.
Now that the air energy content is increased and it moves faster, it will be taken to the washer.
In the washer, there is a spray of water that is used to clean the air and regulate its temperature.
The spray of water in the washer can regulate the temperature of air depending on the temperature of the water being sprayed in the washer.
If the water is too hot, then the temperature of the water will also increase significantly and vice versa.
From the washer, the air enters the final heater or reheater. The air is heated again for the second time.
Heating air is important because it improves the quality of indoor air by controlling the temperature, humidity and air purity.
This ensures that the air is of the right quality needed to provide comfort to the occupants.
The air then enters the space where it is used to provide the appropriate temperature needed by the occupants.
This temperature is controllable by either automatic or manual controls.
The warm air in the space is extracted from the space by a fan and then taken to the mixing box by the recirculating duct while the other volume of tempered air is the exhaust duct.
Then the process is repeated.
Final thoughts.
You have to understand that the flow of air is going to differ in different air conditioning systems.
You will find that some air conditioning systems have other complex parts compared to others.
We have the basic air conditioning systems which will have humidifiers with eliminator screens, conventional air flow air conditioning systems, laminar flow, down flow laminar flow air conditioning systems and cross-flow laminar flow air conditioning systems.
The one that we just discussed is the central one or you can call it a conventional air conditioning system.
Some air conditioning systems will have cooling coils and heating coils, but in central we have the heaters and the washer.
Others will have humidifiers, but here the washer took the role of the humidifier.
So, if you want to understand the air conditioning system effectively you have to know the components used in these systems and understand their uses.
The next thing you should master is the flow, and how the air flows in different air conditioning systems.
After you have mastered that then you won’t have any issues when it comes to understanding how these air conditioning systems work.
Down below you will find articles that I wrote previously talking about air conditioning systems, you should check them if you want to have a comprehensive understanding of this topic.
Thanks so much for reading, if you have any questions just leave your comment. See you in my next article.
Related articles to check.
- Factors To Consider When Choosing Air Conditioning System
- Central Air Conditioning System: Components And Working Principle
- Refrigeration Evaporators: Functions, Types, Design Characteristics And Maintenance.
- Refrigeration Compressors: Function, Types, Advantages And Disadvantages
- Two Stage Refrigeration Cycle Using A Flash Chamber: Working Principle
