Where is the compressor located in an orifice tube A/C system?

Where is the compressor located in an orifice tube A/C system?

• A. After condenser before evaporator
• B. After the evaporator before TXV
• C. After accumulator before condenser
• D. Before the receiver dryer

Answer: (C)

In an orifice tube system, the low-pressure side must feed the compressor with only vapor to avoid liquid slugging. The accumulator sits on the suction side, right before the compressor, to trap any liquid and ensure the compressor intake remains vapor. Therefore, the refrigerant flows from the evaporator through the suction line into the accumulator, then into the compressor, and from there up to the condenser. This places the compressor after the accumulator and before the condenser. The metering device (orifice tube) is in the liquid line ahead of the evaporator, so it doesn’t change this suction-side arrangement.

In an orifice tube system, the low-pressure side must feed the compressor with only vapor to avoid liquid slugging. The accumulator sits on the suction side, right before the compressor, to trap any liquid and ensure the compressor intake remains vapor. Therefore, the refrigerant flows from the evaporator through the suction line into the accumulator, then into the compressor, and from there up to the condenser. This places the compressor after the accumulator and before the condenser. The metering device (orifice tube) is in the liquid line ahead of the evaporator, so it doesn’t change this suction-side arrangement.