Air Conditioning (A/C) Compressor Clutch

When battery voltage is applied to the A/C compressor clutch field coil, the clutch plate and hub assembly is drawn toward the A/C clutch pulley. The magnetic force locks the clutch plate and hub assembly and the A/C clutch pulley together as one unit, causing the compressor shaft to rotate with the engine. When battery voltage is removed from the A/C compressor clutch field coil, springs in the clutch plate and hub assembly move the clutch plate away from the A/C clutch pulley.

An A/C clutch diode is integrated into the coil for A/C clutch field coil circuit spike suppression.