Which components are on the high-pressure side of the refrigeration system?

• A. Compressor, evaporator
• B. Evaporator, condenser
• C. Compressor, condenser
• D. Metering device, evaporator

Answer: (C)

High-pressure side includes the parts where refrigerant is at high pressure after compression and while it’s being condensed. The compressor increases the refrigerant’s pressure, sending the high-pressure gas to the condenser. In the condenser, that high-pressure gas releases heat and becomes a high-pressure liquid, still on the high-pressure side. The evaporator, on the other hand, operates at low pressure as it absorbs heat and causes the refrigerant to evaporate. The metering device sits between the high- and low-pressure sides to drop pressure before entering the evaporator, but it’s not considered a main high-pressure component. So the components that belong to the high-pressure side are the compressor and the condenser.