COMPRESSOR CONTROL APPARATUS AND METHOD

A compressor control apparatus and method includes: a sensor configured to detect air conditioner operation state information necessary to control engagement and disengagement of a clutch of an air conditioner compressor; an electromagnetic coil in the clutch of the air conditioner compressor configured to perform clutch engagement upon receiving battery current; a microcomputer configured to determine whether the current air conditioner operation state satisfies a clutch engagement allowance condition or a clutch disengagement condition based on the air conditioner operation state information detected by the sensor and to output an operation signal based on the result of determination; and a switch configured to be turned on or off according to the operation signal output by the microcomputer and to control supply of the battery current to the electromagnetic coil such that clutch engagement or clutch disengagement is performed.