Inverter Air Conditioning

The inverter air conditioning is the latest technology in the HVAC field that is
becoming more popular due to its environmental friendly and energy savings
approach. Providing comfort to the users is another big advantage of this kind
of system.

Traditionally, the compressor that is used in an air conditioning system is an ON

or OFF type in that it either works at the maximum capacity or none at all. It
ON when the room thermostat calls for cooling and OFF when the desired
temperature has been achieved. This cycle is repeated with the change of load
in the room.

Electronic Controls for control of Inverter Air Conditioning DC Inverter Compressor.

 Daikin Ceiling Cassette Unit

The advancement in power electronics has enabled the inverter technology to

thrive by the use of microcontroller and IGBT modules to drive the compressor
DC or AC motor. The speed of the compressor motor can be varied by using the
variable frequency drive.

This is done by converting the incoming AC supply to DC voltage and then

modulate it by changing the voltage, current and frequency of the power to the
compressor. Changing the frequency changes the speed of the compressor by
using a more complicated electronics control circuitry.

Advantages of Using Inverter Technology

Keeping abreast with the latest technology has more advantages than
remaining status quo. Here are some of the reasons why you should consider
buying an inverter air conditioning system.

 Energy Savings is one of the most important factors to consider when

buying an equipment. In the long run, the benefit outweighs the initial
cost. The inverter technology uses less energy compared to the traditional
system.

ON/OFF type of compressor has large starting current, sometimes 6 times

more than the running current. This causes flicker to lights and the
energy consumed is greater. Typically, there is a 20% to 30% savings in
power consumption.

A study by Daikin(FTK-1115-B Brochure) on the energy saving obtained over a

period of 1 year between a 1.5 HP inverter vs a 1.5 HP non-inverter showed
that there is a big significant of savings achieved on the inverter unit. The units
were tested in a room size of 16.5 square meter, set temperature = 25°C, Fan
Speed = High and outdoor temperature = 33°C.

Daily operational hours = 8 hours.

Non-Inverter Unit

Daily power consumption = 9.51 kWh

Total power consumption in a year = 365 days X 9.51 kWh = 3471 kWh

Inverter Unit

Daily power consumption = 4.83 kWh

Total power consumption in a year = 365 days X 4.83 kWh = 1763 kWh

Total savings/year = 3471-1763 = 1708 kWh

% of savings = (1708/3471)X100% = 49%.

 Comfort to the users is another advantage of this system. During start-

up, the compressor can run full speed to provide quick cooling to the
room. After the desired room temperature has been achieved, the speed
of the compressor is regulated using the variable frequency drive based
on the required cooling load of the room.

The fluctuation of temperature is minimum compared to the ON/OFF type

of compressor. This provides a comfortable environment for the
occupants at all times.

 Ozone Friendly refrigerant such as R410a is used in most inverter

system. This refrigerant contains only HFC compared to R22 which
contains HCFC, an additional chlorine component that destroys the ozone
layer of the earth.

Always enquire the kind of refrigerant which is in used as some installers

prefer to continue using R22 as it is cheaper compared to R410a and
hence lower their cost.
  Quiet Operation is another feature that inverter technology offers. The
outdoor unit which contains the inverter compressor is much more quieter
compared to the non-inverter compressor. Hence, you do not have to
worry about noise when you sleep.

Disadvantages of Using Inverter Technology

Typically, the disadvantages of using inverter air conditioning driven system is

due to cost. Here are a few reasons why the cost is higher compared to the
non-inverter system.

 Electronics Control circuitry is more complicated compared to the non-

inverter type. Electronic components such as electrolytic capacitors, diodes,
opto-couplers and IGBT power modules are rated at a higher ratings due to
the design requirements of the system. Hence, the cost is higher.

 Electromagnetic noise is generated as a result of chopping the voltage. This

noise can create electrical disturbances to other home appliances in the
house hence there are regulations that state the amount of noise that it is
allowed to generate.

Filtering components such as capacitors and inductors are used to filter out
the high frquency electrical noise. This add the cost to the overall system.

 R410a or other more ozone friendly refrigerants usually cost higher

compared to R22. The compressor used is also different but as the demand
for them increase, there will be more economy of scaled and the price will
come down in the near future.

As of this point of time, installers usually charge twice the amount for
topping up R410a compared to R22.

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.