What is the risk of too much liquid refrigerant in the evaporator related to system components?

The presence of too much liquid refrigerant in the evaporator can negatively impact the operation of the compressor, which is why the selection of the risk related to system components is key. When the evaporator is flooded with excessive liquid refrigerant, it can lead to liquid refrigerant entering the compressor along with the vapor.

Compressors are designed to compress only vaporized refrigerant. Liquid refrigerant can cause a condition known as “liquid slugging,” where the liquid refrigerant does not compress and can result in severe mechanical damage to the compressor. This damage can include bent or broken connecting rods, damaged crankshafts, and in severe cases, total failure of the compressor itself. Ensuring that the compressor receives only vaporized refrigerant is crucial for maintaining its efficiency and longevity.

The incorrect options highlight scenarios that either do not accurately reflect the consequences of excess liquid refrigerant in the evaporator or describe effects that do not pose a risk to system components directly. For example, too much refrigerant would not improve the evaporator function, nor would it typically freeze the evaporator coil under normal conditions; rather, it could impair functionality. Additionally, while excess refrigerant might impact system pressure, the significant risk associated with the compressor remains the primary concern.