Which component is primarily responsible for measuring superheat in a refrigeration system?

The component primarily responsible for measuring superheat in a refrigeration system is the expansion valve, specifically a thermostatic expansion valve (TXV). The TXV controls the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator based on the temperature of the refrigerant leaving the evaporator.

Superheat is the temperature of the refrigerant vapor above its boiling point, and accurate measurement is crucial for efficient system operation. The TXV has a sensing bulb that monitors the temperature of the refrigerant vapor at its outlet. It uses this measurement to adjust the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator, ensuring that the evaporator is fully utilized and preventing liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor, which could cause damage.

In contrast, while the condensing unit, compressor, and evaporator are essential components of the refrigeration cycle, they do not directly measure or regulate superheat. The condensing unit and the compressor are primarily involved in compressing and condensing the refrigerant, while the evaporator is where heat absorption occurs but does not measure superheat itself. The TXV's function is specifically designed to manage aspects of superheat and optimize overall system performance.