ASE Heating and Air Conditioning (A7) 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

When liquid refrigerant enters the compressor, it can lead to significant issues, particularly concerning compressor damage. Compressors are designed to compress only vaporized refrigerant, as liquid refrigerant does not compress in the same way and can cause hydraulic lock. This occurs because the compressor tries to compress the liquid, which results in excessive pressure and can lead to mechanical failure or damage to the internal components of the compressor.

Furthermore, liquid refrigerant can wash away lubricating oil from the compressor, impairing its ability to function properly and leading to premature wear or complete failure. Therefore, allowing liquid refrigerant into the compressor is detrimental to its performance and longevity, highlighting why this outcome is a critical point in understanding refrigeration systems.