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EPA 608 Core Exam·Refrigeration Fundamentals

What is the saturation temperature of a refrigerant?

  1. The temperature at which the refrigerant boils or condenses at a given pressure
  2. BThe maximum temperature the refrigerant can reach
  3. CThe ambient temperature around the system
  4. DThe temperature at which refrigerant oil breaks down

Correct answer

The temperature at which the refrigerant boils or condenses at a given pressure

Why

Saturation temperature is the temperature at which a refrigerant boils (evaporates) or condenses at a specific pressure.

The concept behind this question

The refrigeration cycle moves heat rather than creating cold, and every question about pressures and temperatures comes back to it. The compressor raises the refrigerant's pressure and temperature; the condenser rejects heat and the refrigerant becomes liquid; the metering device drops the pressure; the evaporator absorbs heat from the space and the refrigerant boils back to vapour. Because pressure and temperature are related for a saturated refrigerant, a pressure reading plus a P/T chart tells you the saturation temperature — which is the basis for measuring superheat and subcooling.

More questions on this topic

Exam-style practice question. Not an official EPA exam question.