When should refrigerant be removed from the condenser outlet?

• A. When the receiver is below the condenser
• B. When the condenser is below the receiver
• C. When the system is off
• D. During startup

Answer: (B)

The key idea is how liquid refrigerant moves between the condenser outlet and the receiver. For safe and effective removal of refrigerant from the condenser outlet, gravity should help move that liquid into the receiver. This happens when the condenser is positioned below the receiver (lower elevation), so the liquid can drain toward the receiver without needing pumping or forcing it uphill. If the condenser were above the receiver, the liquid would tend to stay trapped or flow poorly, making removal unsafe or impractical. Timing like doing this only when the system is off or during startup doesn’t address the physical path the refrigerant must take between components, so it doesn’t guarantee safe drainage.