What type of pressure is measured in the discharge line at the compressor outlet?

• A. Gauge Pressure
• B. Vapor Pressure
• C. Discharge Pressure
• D. Atmospheric Pressure

Answer: (C)

Discharge pressure refers to the pressure of the refrigerant at the compressor outlet. When the refrigerant is compressed inside the compressor, its pressure increases significantly as it moves from the low-pressure side of the system to the high-pressure side. This increased pressure helps to facilitate the refrigeration cycle, allowing the refrigerant to flow through the condenser where it can release heat.

Discharge pressure is critical for diagnosing the performance of the compressor and ensuring that the refrigeration system operates efficiently. It is essential for system calculations, monitoring performance, and conducting maintenance. The other options, while valid types of pressure, do not specifically refer to the pressure within the discharge line at the compressor outlet. For instance, gauge pressure is a measurement relative to atmospheric pressure but is not specific to the discharge line, and vapor pressure typically refers to the pressure exerted by a vapor in equilibrium with its liquid in the system, which is also unrelated to the direct measurement taken at the discharge line.