Which component prevents liquid refrigerant from reaching the compressor?

Which component prevents liquid refrigerant from reaching the compressor?

• A. Accumulator
• B. Condenser
• C. Receiver
• D. Evaporator

Answer: (A)

The key idea is that an accumulator on the low‑pressure side acts as a liquid separator before the compressor. It catches any liquid refrigerant that may still be present after the evaporator and allows only vapor to flow into the compressor, preventing liquid slugging which can damage the compressor. The accumulator often also contains desiccant to remove moisture, protecting the system. The condenser stores and condenses refrigerant on the high‑pressure side, the receiver holds liquid on the high‑pressure side before expansion, and the evaporator is where refrigerant absorbs heat and boils into vapor. None of those primarily prevents liquid from reaching the compressor the way an accumulator does, so the accumulator is the correct component.

The key idea is that an accumulator on the low‑pressure side acts as a liquid separator before the compressor. It catches any liquid refrigerant that may still be present after the evaporator and allows only vapor to flow into the compressor, preventing liquid slugging which can damage the compressor. The accumulator often also contains desiccant to remove moisture, protecting the system. The condenser stores and condenses refrigerant on the high‑pressure side, the receiver holds liquid on the high‑pressure side before expansion, and the evaporator is where refrigerant absorbs heat and boils into vapor. None of those primarily prevents liquid from reaching the compressor the way an accumulator does, so the accumulator is the correct component.