What is an inverter air conditioner and an inverter split system: how to choose, how it works

To create a comfortable indoor microclimate, various devices are used that regulate the parameters of the air environment. Modern inverter air conditioner or split system designed to provide the necessary indicators of temperature and humidity in the room.

Understanding the principles of operation, internal structure and technical nuances will allow you to make the right choice when you purchase air conditioning. Let's take a look at these subtleties in place.

Comparison of inverter and conventional devices

When choosing between classical and inverter type systems, it is necessary to rely on a clear idea of the desired result, an understanding of the principles of operation of such air conditioners and the technical feasibility of their of use.

The principle of operation of different air conditioning systems

Consider the principle of operation of an ordinary air conditioner in the mode of maintaining a given air temperature in a certain range.

Thus, when working on cooling, the device operates until the minimum of the temperature range is reached, after which it is turned off. As soon as the temperature sensor detects that the temperature reaches the upper limit of the range, the air conditioner turns on.

The temperature range of all devices of the classical type ranges from three to five degrees, otherwise frequent switching on and off will quickly disable it. Simpler and cheaper systems include manual or timer.

When the required temperature is reached, the inverter system begins to work in its support mode. This is reflected in a decrease in the number of revolutions of the compressor engine, which inject freon to the evaporator, which leads to a decrease in heat exchange. And how the refilling of the cooler in the air conditioning system is read in this material.

Thus, the principle of operation of ordinary air conditioners is to work alternately with constant power. And inverter devices operate in a constant mode with variable power.

For the consumer, this is expressed in the following:

• cold flow during cooling or warm when heating air in ordinary systems during the period of their work is more powerful, which can cause discomfort;
• inverter systems more evenly maintain the set temperature;
• ordinary systems create more noise, especially when turned on and off.

Therefore, from the standpoint of creating a suitable microclimate in the room, air conditioners of a new type unequivocally outperform their classic predecessors.

Pros and cons of the technical plan

As with any innovation, the inverter systems have positive and negative aspects of the technical plan compared to the models made by the previous technology.

One of the main criteria by which the user chooses the equipment is the cost of both the device itself and its maintenance and repair. As a rule, the price of products recently released for sale significantly exceeds the indicators of obsolete models. This situation has developed in the market of air conditioners.

In addition, the cost of servicing, repairing or replacing spare parts for inverter systems is much higher. The price of the electronic board of the frequency converter costs almost as much as the other nodes of the device.

There are practically no third-party parts on the market, while for older models there is a large selection of compatible components.

The second problem is that both monoblock devices and split systems of the new inverter type are complex electronic devices. Therefore, despite the presence of integrated safety components, it is necessary to provide high-quality power supply in order to avoid breakage.

The third problem is the risk of failure of expensive electronics. Even with normal power supply, over time, aging and loss of volume by capacitors, thermal breakdown of power cells and other problems typical for circuit boards can occur.

From the standpoint of energy saving there is no definite answer. As stated by the manufacturers at regular operation, inverter systems are more economical than the classical ones, which at start consume a lot of resource with low efficiency. This is true, but the savings are not so great that we can talk about quick compensation of the price difference.

If we compare the work of models at a constant maximum power, then with the same technical indicators, the new the models lose to the classical one due to the fact that during the double conversion of the current there is a release of thermal energy. Therefore, this mode of use of inverter systems is impractical.

But from the standpoint of the impact of the device on the electrical network, inverter devices are definitely better. They consume electricity evenly, so the maximum load is less than when the classic type air conditioner is running.

In addition, each time at the moment of launch, a peak load occurs and a voltage drop occurs. With an insufficient cross section of power cables, this is especially noticeable and negatively affects the quality and safety of the work of other devices in the circuit.

Over time, the shortcomings of the new technology will be eliminated or you will have to accept them. the reason for the significant improvement in comfort when compared with the use of previous instruments generations.

We also recommend to read the most frequent material. Split systems faults and how to eliminate them.

Split system device

Externally, air conditioners of both types of action are not different from each other. The technical difference is that the switch-on relay in the inverter version is replaced by a frequency converter, which is a power electronics unit.

It includes:

• rectifierconverting standard alternating current to direct current;
• inverterthat converts DC to AC at the desired frequency.

The operation of the inverter is regulated by a special controller integrated into the electronic control unit of the system. It determines the frequency of the current flowing to the generator, thus controlling the speed of rotation of the compressor motor.

Split cooling system consists of two blocks, one of which is located indoors, and the other - outside.

The outdoor unit of the inverter type device includes the following main elements:

• capacitor (usually in the form of a radiator with a fan), in which the cooling and phase transition of freon occurs;
• compressor, compressing freon or other refrigerant and providing movement along the contour;
• filter freon systemprotecting the compressor from dirt;
• four way valve, reversing the flow of freon when changing the cooling mode to heating and back;
• frequency converter;
• control board external unit.

For ordinary air conditioners, all the electronics are usually located in the indoor unit and are less susceptible to dust and temperature changes. The reason for bringing the power electronics board out is heat dissipation from the inverter.

The indoor unit includes the following devices:

• evaporator (radiator with fan), in which the refrigerant is heated by cooling the incoming air;
• prefilterdesigned to trap coarse mist, such as dust, animal dander, or lint;
• fine filter system (coal, antibacterial, electrostatic, etc.);
• control board internal unit;
• Front Panelthrough which air enters inside the unit;
• horizontal and vertical blindsdesigned to regulate the direction of the effluent;
• display panel.

Copper tubes connecting the indoor and outdoor units are connected with a special nipple connection.

Scope of typical cooling systems

For new models, it’s best to use low power mode as long as possible because allows you to ensure that the work of the inverter air conditioner, in which it will use the best quality. And when operating at maximum power, inverter devices are no better than their outdated counterparts, but more expensive both in price and in maintenance.

In the reduced power mode in the room, the air conditioner compensates for the temperature change that occurs due to heat exchange between air and walls, floor, ceiling, and also as a result of insignificant air flow from the outside.

If the replacement of air mass occurs frequently and the temperature difference inside and outside is significant, the economy mode is inefficient.

Thus, inverter systems are used mainly for living rooms and offices, where it is necessary to create a favorable microclimate and there is no significant air flow.

There is no need to use inverter systems for the following objects:

• residential premises where air conditioning is rarely used, such as a cottage;
• kitchens and other technical objects in which temperature changes often occur due to the operation of devices located there.

It is better to equip with the classic version of the cooling system those rooms where frequent air replacement takes place: offices, shops, halls and others. public places where you can observe a large flow of people through the entrance doors, warehouses, hangars and other objects with a large area of ​​the entrance gate.

Technical rooms where uniform heat generation occurs due to the location there equipment (eg server room) is better equipped with several inverter systems cooling The use of ordinary air conditioners at such facilities is impossible, since they cannot work around the clock.

Nuances of purchase and popular manufacturers

Choosing an inverter cooling system, you need to make sure that it is able to provide the required room climate while operating in reduced power mode.

To do this, you need to know the parameters of the room, such as floor area and ceiling height. There are more complex calculations for air conditioners from different manufacturers, but as a rule, the result is not much different from the simple model.

The lack of compatible components for electronic boards of inverter split systems leads to a problem when they break. Service centers do not repair electronics. In case of replacement of the board, in addition to the high price, the problem is the waiting time for the spare part.

Sometimes the reason for which the board has failed is elementary in terms of its elimination. Replacing 3-5 swollen capacitors will cost 700-1,000 rubles at a cost of an entire unit of about 10,000, and the time spent on repairs will take 1-2 hours.

This service can provide almost any company repairing computers and mobile phones. However, this requires documentation for the electronic board, and on the device itself all the details must be marked. This is a must check before purchasing an air conditioner.

Due to the high cost and technological innovations, when purchasing an inverter-type cooling system, it is better to opt for models of well-known manufacturers.

Popular devices are the following companies:

• Japanese Mitsubishi electric and Daikin produce very high-quality products, which are somewhat more expensive than analogues from other manufacturers;
• Japanese Mitsubishi heavy, Panasonic, Fuji, Fujitsu, Hitachi and Toshibaas well as South Korean LG, Samsung and Hyundai also in good standing with consumers;
• Turkish Koc Holding produces air conditioners and other equipment under the brand name “Beko“Which is being assembled in China;
• swedish corporation Electrolux is the flagship among European companies for the production of household appliances, although the assembly of their air conditioners is also carried out in China;
• chinese Ballu, Haier and Midea produces enough quality products, and at a very affordable price.

Models of air conditioners assembled in Russia can be attributed to the budget options. There are no significant differences from their foreign counterparts in the price / quality ratio.

On our site there is also an article, which presents the rating of the best split-systems according to users, we recommend that you read. Read more - go to reference.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Comparison of ordinary and inverter systems, tips on the need for the proposed options:

The acquisition of inverter systems will help create a suitable microclimate and ensure a comfortable stay at home or in the office.

In order for the air conditioner to function properly for a long time it is necessary to take a responsible approach to the choice of the manufacturer, the required power and to provide technical conditions for the system to work.

Want to ask a question about inverter air conditioning? Please leave your comments in the box below the article. Here you can report an interesting fact on the topic of the article or supplement the material with your own observations.