The refrigeration compressor, as the heart of a mechanical refrigerating system, is the least understood component of the system. This paper presents, in an introductory survey form, the function, construction, performance characteristics, design parameters, and application limits of a typical refrigeration compressor. Topics related to supermarket compressors, such as stress, common failure modes, lubrication, and reliability, are discussed in some detail.

A cost-effective compressor does not necessarily possess the means to protect itself from abuses or deviations from generally accepted refrigeration practices. Therefore, proper design and manufacture of the compressor, application and maintenance of the refrigerating system is a vital concern to the well-being of any supermarket refrigeration compressor.