If TXV hunting is observed when troubleshooting a refrigeration system, its cause should be identified and repaired to allow for better system performance.

Technicians have the choice of using either a digital or mechanical manifold gauge. Each one has its benefits and disadvantages, which is why it may pay to own one of each kind.

Technicians should understand how heat transfer works in a refrigeration system, as well as the four laws that describe how temperature and pressure changes affect the state of refrigerant in a sealed piping system.

One of the worst enemies of a compressor is liquid refrigerant, so technicians should make sure the refrigeration system has proper superheat in order to protect the compressor from damage that can occur from flooding or slugging.

Proper evacuation of a refrigeration system is an important part of repairing or installing a unit, and the gas ballast in the vacuum pump helps improve the process.

Technicians need to make sure that the TXV is not underfeeding refrigerant to the refrigeration or air conditioning system due to a restriction, which can be caused by a number of factors.

Making sure the TXV is metering the right amount of refrigerant into the evaporator and is not overfeeding the coil is one way technicians can help their customers’ refrigeration and air conditioning systems operate safely and more efficiently.

Liquid line restrictions cause the evaporator, compressor, and condenser to be starved of refrigerant, causing performance problems in refrigeration systems.

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is especially true when a replacing a thermostatic expansion valve (TXV).