CSLB C-20 HVAC ContractorCooling and RefrigerationEasy
A technician is teaching an apprentice the basic refrigeration cycle. Which of the following correctly lists the refrigerant flow sequence starting from the compressor?
- ACompressor → Metering device → Evaporator → Condenser
- BCompressor → Evaporator → Condenser → Metering device
- CCompressor → Condenser → Metering device → Evaporator
- DCompressor → Metering device → Condenser → Evaporator
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Compressor → Condenser → Metering device → Evaporator
Refrigerant leaves the compressor as a high-pressure hot gas, releases heat in the condenser, drops pressure through the metering device, and absorbs heat in the evaporator before returning to the compressor. This is the fundamental four-component refrigeration loop.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The metering device drops pressure before the evaporator, not directly after the compressor.
- B. The evaporator cannot come before the condenser in a standard cycle.
- D. The metering device must come after the condenser, not before it.
Refrigeration Cycle Order
The four major components of a basic vapor-compression system operate in a fixed sequence to move heat from indoors to outdoors.
- Compressor raises pressure/temperature of vapor
- Condenser rejects heat and condenses gas to liquid
- Metering device drops pressure before evaporator
- Evaporator absorbs heat and boils liquid to vapor
Memory trick: Compress, Condense, Meter, Evaporate — CCME keeps it straight.