The component that catches liquid refrigerant to protect the compressor is the __________.

The accumulator is a crucial component in a refrigeration system that serves to catch any liquid refrigerant before it reaches the compressor. Its primary function is to prevent liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor, which could cause damage due to the compressor being designed to compress gas rather than liquid.

The accumulator works by separating liquid refrigerant from refrigerant vapor. As refrigerant flows through the system, any liquid is collected in the accumulator, allowing only vapor to pass through to the compressor. This ensures that the compressor operates efficiently and reliably.

In contrast, the condenser's role is to dissipate heat from refrigerant and change it from a vapor to a liquid state. The liquid receiver stores the liquid refrigerant produced by the condenser before it moves into the expansion valve, which regulates the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator. Each of these components has its distinct function, but the accumulator is specifically designed to protect the compressor by managing the state of the refrigerant entering it. This highlights its importance in maintaining system integrity and performance in refrigeration applications.