Inverter compressor is a piece of air-conditioning equipment that converts electric power to mechanical power. It can be used in various applications, including residential and commercial buildings.

The inverter compressor has two main parts: the motor and the generator.

Several factors can affect how well an inverter compressor works, including voltage fluctuations, improper installation, overloading, or use in extreme weather conditions such as high humidity or freezing temperatures.

This blog post will help you on how to test inverter compressor, so none of these factors does not compromise it.

Best Ways How to Test Inverter Compressor

The first step in testing an inverter compressor is to identify the problem. Once you know what’s wrong, you can determine the best way to test it.

• If the compressor does not start at all, you might need to check the high and low-pressure switches and the capacitor.
• If your inverter compressor starts but stops after some time, you might need to check the relay.
• If your inverter compressor is noisy (e.g., it makes a loud buzzing sound), this could be caused by an overload or low gas pressure. This can be easily solved by turning off all appliances and lights in your home for about 30 minutes; however, you might need to check the capacitor and run a capacitance test if the problem persists.
• If your inverter compressor doesn’t cool air well, this could be caused by low refrigerant levels or a dirty filter. Cleaning the evaporator’s coils will help solve this problem; however, you might need to add Freon if it does not work.

So how do you test inverter compressor?

1. Using a Multimeter

Check the resistance of your compressor (and its leads) using a multimeter. If the reading is anything other than ‘infinite,’ or this test does not work, you need to replace the capacitor.

If the compressor starts and runs but does not stop, this could be due to a bad relay and needs replacing. The relay can also be tested with a multimeter; replace it if it doesn’t read anything.

The noise made by an inverter compressor can also come from a faulty compressor or motor bearing that needs lubricating or replacing. In this case, you should buy some oil and reuse old oil left from an old bearing.

Put some oil on the new bearing and try running it for 5 minutes. If the noise persists, you might have to replace the compressor.

Read: what will a 1000 watt power inverter run

The step by step guides to using a multimeter include:

• Turn of the power to the compressor at the breaker
• Remove the wires from the terminals (label them if you can to avoid confusion)
• Set your multimeter to the lowest resistance, it will read (e.g., if your multimeter reads in ohms, set it to 20)
• Put one probe on a terminal and touch the other probe to the metal body of the compressor (or any other piece of metal)
• Take note of what your multimeter reads (e.g., it might read 0.02 ohms)
• If the reading is infinite or ‘open,’ you might need to replace the capacitor
• If you read anything other than 0.01, it might be time for a new relay

2. Testing with Inverter Checker

An inverter checker is a device that can test your inverter compressor. It is very convenient and easy to use; you need to plug it into the outlet where your inverter compressor is plugged in.

You should know that it may not work with some serial number ranges of inverters.

• Once you have the inverter checker, turn off all appliances and lights in your home for about 30 minutes. This will help to decrease the load on your inverter compressor.
• Plug the inverter checker into the outlet and turn it on. The green light will come on, which means your inverter compressor is ready to be tested.
• Press the ‘test’ button and wait for a few minutes; if the green light stays on, it means your inverter compressor is ready to use.

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Factors that Can Affect How Well an Inverter Compressor Works

• The high and low-pressure switches: these switches need to be in the proper position for the compressor to start
• The capacitor: this stores electricity and helps the compressor start
• Refrigerant levels: low levels may prevent the compressor from starting
• The thermostat setting in your home: if it is set too high, this will cause the compressor to overload and trip the circuit breaker
• The filter: a dirty filter will decrease the amount of air that goes through the compressor and can cause it to overheat
• The fan: the fan helps keep the compressor cool; if it is blocked, the compressor will overheat

What Can You Do If Your Inverter Compressor is Not Working?

One of the first things you can do is check your inverter compressor’s plug and make sure it is plugged into a working outlet. You can also check the circuit breaker.

If your inverter compressor is plugged into a GFCI outlet, ensure it has power by checking to see if the GFCI outlet has tripped.

The next thing you should do is check your circuit breaker and make sure it hasn’t been tripped.

You should also check to see if the refrigerator filter is dirty; it could be blocking airflow and causing your inverter compressor not to work.

If you still haven’t found the source of your problem, it might be time to call an appliance maintenance specialist.

Read: How to check inverter battery capacity

Frequently Asked Questions about Testing Inverter Compressor

Inverter compressors can be very noisy and cause a lot of inconveniences, but there are ways to test them and figure out if they need to be replaced.

By following these simple steps, you can save yourself time and money. Please share this information with your friends and family if you found this information helpful.