What kills an AC compressor?

A residential air conditioning compressor—the expensive heart of your HVAC cooling system—can be permanently killed by several severe mechanical and electrical failures. A primary killer is restricted airflow caused by severely clogged air filters or dirty outdoor condenser coils, which forces the compressor to operate under extreme high pressures and overheating conditions. Another major culprit is electrical failure, such as a dead capacitor or a burnt contactor causing voltage starvation and locked-rotor conditions that overheat motor windings. Furthermore, low refrigerant levels from an unaddressed leak starve the compressor of the cool refrigerant vapor needed to keep its internal scroll or reciprocating mechanisms from overheating. Slugging liquid refrigerant into the compressor can also destroy internal valves instantly. You can protect your compressor with annual maintenance. You can verify health when operating pressures and electrical draws match manufacturer specifications.