Which component connects the condenser to the expansion device?

The correct answer is that the liquid line connects the condenser to the expansion device. In refrigeration and air conditioning systems, the condenser's primary function is to reject heat from the refrigerant, turning it from a gas into a liquid. Once the refrigerant has condensed into a high-pressure liquid, it flows through the liquid line to the expansion device.

The expansion device, which can be a thermal expansion valve or a capillary tube, reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, allowing it to expand and cool before entering the evaporator. This process is crucial for the refrigeration cycle as it prepares the refrigerant to absorb heat from the environment, thereby facilitating cooling.

Other components mentioned, such as the vapor line, typically carry refrigerant vapor back from the evaporator to the compressor, while the service line refers to lines used for maintenance and charging refrigerants. The discharge line, on the other hand, is usually associated with the compressed refrigerant from the compressor to the condenser. Understanding the specific role of each line helps clarify how the system operates effectively in transferring heat and maintaining efficiency.