On low-pressure chillers, water is most likely to leak into the refrigerant system through which area?

• A. Evaporator coils
• B. Power supply terminals
• C. Gaskets or fittings
• D. Condenser outlet

Answer: (C)

Water can get into the refrigerant side only where the two separate loops meet. In low‑pressure chillers, that boundary is sealed by gaskets and fittings at the heat exchanger and connection joints. If those seals fail—due to wear, improper assembly, vibration, or thermal cycling—water from the cooling-water side can seep into the refrigerant circuit. Once water is in the refrigerant system, it can cause contamination, corrosion, and performance problems.

Evaporator coils and condenser outlets are parts of the refrigerant loop themselves, so a leak there would involve refrigerant, not water entering the system. Power supply terminals are electrical and not typical paths for water entering the refrigerant side.