Functions Present
A car's AC compressor clutch uses an electromagnetic clutch to connect and disconnect the compressor from the engine's rotating pulley, which is driven by the accessory belt. When you turn the AC on, an electrical signal energizes a coil, creating a magnetic field that pulls an armature plate onto the pulley, causing them to spin together and run the compressor. When the AC is turned off, the clutch disengages, the pulley spins freely, and the compressor stops to save engine power.