SSP 208 – Air Conditioner in the Motor Vehicle
Air Conditioning Systems
Air conditioning systems are no longer regarded as luxury equipment. They have become a factor in active safety and can now be considered an integral part of a vehicle’s safety specification.
Ten years ago, only about 10 % of newly registered vehicles were equipped with air conditioning. By 1996, more than one in four new vehicles came with air conditioning as standard. Customer demand for air conditioning continues to rise.
The design of the refrigerant circuit is essentially the same in all vehicles. Air conditioning systems only differ in how the circuit is adapted to meet specific cooling requirements.
This Self-Study Programme introduces the basic purpose and design of an air conditioner. You will learn:
The functions of the component parts in the refrigeration process
The special characteristics of the refrigerant
Why air conditioners require specific service procedures
The components shown in this SSP are common to most air conditioning systems.