A partially clogged capillary tube can cause what condition in an air conditioning system?

A partially clogged capillary tube can lead to a starved evaporator because the restricted flow of refrigerant prevents the evaporator from receiving an adequate supply. The capillary tube is designed to regulate the amount of refrigerant that flows into the evaporator based on the cooling load. When this tube becomes partially obstructed, the volume of refrigerant that enters the evaporator is reduced. As a result, there is insufficient refrigerant to absorb the heat from the surrounding environment, leading to a condition known as “starvation.” This can ultimately result in poor cooling performance and increased suction pressure in the evaporator, which harms the overall efficiency of the air conditioning system.

In contrast, other conditions, such as increased head pressure or low head pressure, are typically associated with other issues within the system, such as excessive refrigerant or malfunctioning components, rather than directly tied to a partially clogged capillary tube. Heat exchange failure also usually results from different malfunctions that impact the heat-transfer capabilities of the evaporator or condenser but aren’t specifically linked to the restriction caused by the capillary tube. Thus, the correct identification of the starved evaporator as a consequence of a partially clogged capillary tube underscores the importance of refrigerant flow and its impact