A Guide to Copeland Compressors

Published by 
AllThingsHVAC
Last updated: 
March 23, 2024

Air compressors have been an integrating part of our lives for many years now. They owe their popularity partially to the fact that, in order to run, they use air as a primary resource, which is clean, convenient, found in abundance, and very safe. This is why compressors have become quite a vital piece of machinery in many devices and applications. Copeland compressors are one of the best models you will find on the market today and, if you have your heart set on buying one, here is everything you need to know about them.

Guide to Copeland Compressors

What Is a Compressor and How Does It Work?

Any compressor is basically a refrigerant gas pump in which the evaporator part changes the refrigerant gas from a low pressure one to a great pressure one, via compression, which has this effect on gasses.  Compressors are made of two parts: the source of power and the mechanism that compresses the air, which can be either a piston or a vane.

In laymen’s terms, here is how a compressor works: the air comes into the machine via the piston or the vane, its pressure is increased while its volume is decreased, and these two simultaneous actions compress it. When the pressure has reached the maximum point, which is usually set by the manufacturer or by the operator, a switch will happen in the mechanism’s workings that will prevent any further air from coming into the compressor. The already compressed air will be used by the device until it’s all gone and the pressure reaches its low again. When that happens, the reverse switch will allow for more air to come in and all the procedure will begin again. The process repeats itself in this way as long as the compressor is in functioning state.

Copeland compressorsThis is the typical way in which air compressors work and the Copeland compressors are no different. They were designed specifically for air conditioning units and are an integral part of the system. Air conditioners and refrigerators actually work in the same way, as far as compressors go. The only difference is that, unlike fridges, which just cool off a small, closed space, an air conditioner cools off a room, a house or a building.

An air conditioner is made of three parts: the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator. The first two are normally placed on the outside of the machine, while the evaporator can usually be found inside the house, as part of a furnace, with some models. This is also the bit that heats up your house.

Compressor Performance Factors

There are some performance factors you need to be aware of when you’re buying a compressor, such as:

  • rotation speed;
  • suction pressure;
  • discharge pressure;
  • type of refrigerant that the compressor uses.

While all compressors basically work in the same way, they do operate at different capacities, because they have different sizes, purposes, types of refrigerants, and horsepower input. This is why, when out shopping for a new compressor, you should always check the machine’s characteristics and configuration, its operation type, price and operation cost.

If you cannot decide on your own what type of compressor to buy after checking these specifications, you should ask with the manufacturer for support, who will be more than happy to aid you in purchasing a compressor that will suit your needs and budget. Emerson Climate Technologies, the company that produces the Copeland compressors offers great support to customers in this exact same situation and helps them buy the Copeland compressor perfect for them.

Types of Compressors

Here are the most common types of compressors you can find on the market today:

  • Rotary – these ones are usually used in refrigeration machines, not necessarily in air conditioning. They are pieces of equipment with low capacity that are made of one vane, placed inside its body and sealed against the rotor. They can also be made of a multivane rotary, but in this case the vanes will be located in the rotor.
  • Centrifugal – These are the ones that revolve at high speed and which compress the air through the centrifugal force. Usually, they need very high and very specific volumes of air to work, which will need low compression ratios. If one is in the need of greater than normal discharge pressures, multi-stage units can be utilized for this purpose. The number of stage units will be given by the gas’ discharge temperature when it makes its way out of the rotor. These are the most used types of compressors in air conditioning for water chilling and in refrigeration for freezing things at very low temperatures.
  • Reciprocating – these compressors move in cylinders and have pistons and there are several types out there:
  • Open compressors, in which one outer part of the crankshaft is pulled out of the crankcase. That, in turn, allows for multiple drives to be used alongside this compressor. They usually have a mechanic seal, which is utilized to check if the oil or the refrigerant might have leaked out or if any of the air might have escaped inside. This type of compressor runs on an electric motor or an internal combustion engine. It also has belt drive, which allows for changes in speed, by altering the pulleys’ dimensions. Apart from belt drive, it comes with direct drive units as well and through them, an open type compressor can be set to work at the motor speed.
  • Hermetic compressors, which are hermetically serviceable. They have the motor and the compressor placed together in the same housing. There is also the welded hermetic compressor, a variation of the hermetic one, in which the motor and the compressor are usually placed in a welded steel shell.

Copeland Compressors

Copeland Scroll Compressors

As far as Copeland compressors go, they come in three different types:

  • Scroll – the Copeland Scroll compressor has a reputation of being one of the best in the world, especially the ZR and UltraTech Next Generation series. It has reached the 100 million installation mark world-wide, as it provides home owners and general end-users with a very reliable, compliant and cost efficient piece of machinery. The 1-60 HP scroll compressor fits every need and application, such as: air conditioning, for both commercial and home use, refrigeration, commercial and industrial and refrigerated transport. The scroll compressor can also be digital and it is enhanced with vapor injection technology. If you desire, you can install a capacitor in it as well, because the scroll compressor allows it.

Copeland Compressors

  • Semi-hermetic – these are ¼-60 HP DWM Copeland compressors, which provide a top notch alternative for systems that require a full performance as far as temperature goes, including conditions of evaporating at very low temperatures, as much as -40° F. The most famous of the semi-hermetic Copeland compressors is the Copelametic line.
  • Hermetic – These one have been designed to respond to evaporating capability needs. They provide very cost-efficient solutions to the systems that require such needs and they come at 1/8-5 HP. A great thing about this type of Copeland compressor is the fact that it comes in more than 300 models, which means you have every chance of finding the specific one for your needs.
  • Discus – this is the most energy efficient compressor from the Copeland line and it’s usually used for refrigeration purposes.
  • Screw – the screw compressors are the rotary, positive displacement type, which comes with a main screw and two gaterotors.

Emerson Climate Technologies

The producer company of the Copeland compressors, Emerson Climate Technologies, is one of the world’s leading compressor producers. Although US based, the Copeland compressor is available worldwide, from the UK to Canada, Australia, Singapore, and India.

All the compressors come equipped with a highly informative manual, which will help you install and use the device. They also come with a cross reference and troubleshooting guide, where you will find the compressor type, serial number, model, nomenclature chart, technical specifications, and data on various parts and quality.

As far as technical support goes, Emerson Technologies has a Customer Service which you can turn to in case you need a replacement, your compressor has suffered a failure and have tech problems with your ac, freezer, or heater. They can also help you with the wiring part, which can be tricky, even though they do provide a special diagram for it, especially for first time users.

They provide help with the controller as well, which many people ask for help with, especially when they have installed a digital compressor. Warranty is offered and you can use the customer service to ask for the terms and conditions specs, which you can also lookup on their website.

On their official site, you can also find a complete catalogue and brochures that present their entire offer and which will make it a lot easier for you to find the compressor you need. In order to find local dealers or distributors for your area, use the distributor locator app they have kindly provided and it will be a lot easier to shop for your desired items. This is one way of buying the device, via their distributors, but you can also try resellers, such as Ebay or Amazon, that might offer them for sale.

The Copeland compressors have all been specifically designed with the purpose of increasing energy efficiency, lowering noise levels, increasing their durability and reliability. They are environmentally friendly and pride themselves on their high performance levels.

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