Refrigeration Fundamentals Flashcards
6 cards from real HVAC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Refrigeration Fundamentals flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of the refrigerant in an HVAC system?
Answer: To transfer heat from inside to outside
Refrigerant absorbs heat indoors at the evaporator and releases it outdoors at the condenser, transferring heat out of the conditioned space.
In the refrigeration cycle, where does the refrigerant change from a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure gas?
Answer: Compressor
The compressor takes low-pressure refrigerant vapor and compresses it into a high-temperature, high-pressure gas.
What is superheat in an HVAC system?
Answer: Refrigerant temperature above its boiling point at a given pressure
Superheat is the number of degrees the refrigerant vapor is heated above its saturation (boiling) temperature at a given pressure.
What does subcooling refer to in a refrigeration system?
Answer: Liquid refrigerant cooled below its condensing temperature
Subcooling is the number of degrees the liquid refrigerant has been cooled below its saturation temperature at condenser pressure.
Which component in the refrigeration cycle causes the refrigerant to drop in pressure and temperature?
Answer: Metering device (expansion valve)
The metering device (TXV or fixed orifice) restricts refrigerant flow, causing a pressure drop that lowers the refrigerant's temperature.
What is the saturation temperature of a refrigerant?
Answer: The temperature at which refrigerant changes state at a given pressure
Saturation temperature is the temperature at which a refrigerant changes between liquid and vapor states at a specific pressure.