If the condenser refrigerant saturates at 125°F and the liquid line temperature is at 120°F, what is the subcooling?

Subcooling in refrigeration refers to the temperature difference between a refrigerant's saturation temperature at a given pressure and its actual temperature as it changes state to liquid. In this case, the condenser refrigerant saturates at 125°F, which indicates the temperature at which the refrigerant transitions from gas to liquid at that pressure.

The liquid line temperature is measured at 120°F. To calculate the subcooling, you subtract the liquid line temperature from the saturation temperature:

Saturation temperature (125°F) - Liquid line temperature (120°F) = Subcooling.

Performing this calculation gives:

125°F - 120°F = 5°F.

Therefore, the subcooling is 5°F, confirming that the refrigerant is at a lower temperature than its saturation point, which is necessary for effective operation in the refrigeration cycle. Accurate subcooling is essential as it ensures that the refrigerant is fully condensed and allows for the proper functioning of the system, enhancing efficiency and preventing liquid refrigerant from returning to the compressor.