To avoid drawing liquid refrigerant into a self-contained (active) recovery device that cannot handle liquid, from which side of the system should vapor be drawn?

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Multiple Choice

To avoid drawing liquid refrigerant into a self-contained (active) recovery device that cannot handle liquid, from which side of the system should vapor be drawn?

When using a self-contained recovery device that can’t handle liquid, you want to feed it only vapor. The high-pressure side of the system—the high side—contains refrigerant as vapor after it has been compressed and before it reaches the condenser. Tapping into that side minimizes the chance of liquid refrigerant entering the recovery device, which could cause damage or malfunction. In contrast, the liquid line carries liquid refrigerant, which would risk flooding the recovery unit, and the suction (low) side can sometimes carry liquid or liquid-vapor mixtures under certain operating conditions, increasing the chance of liquid ingestion. Therefore, drawing vapor from the high side is the safest choice.

When using a self-contained recovery device that can’t handle liquid, you want to feed it only vapor. The high-pressure side of the system—the high side—contains refrigerant as vapor after it has been compressed and before it reaches the condenser. Tapping into that side minimizes the chance of liquid refrigerant entering the recovery device, which could cause damage or malfunction.

In contrast, the liquid line carries liquid refrigerant, which would risk flooding the recovery unit, and the suction (low) side can sometimes carry liquid or liquid-vapor mixtures under certain operating conditions, increasing the chance of liquid ingestion. Therefore, drawing vapor from the high side is the safest choice.

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