If an oil separator is not utilized, what should be installed in vapor carrying lines?

An oil separator is designed to effectively separate oil from the refrigerant in systems, ensuring that oil does not travel back into the vapor lines, which can lead to reduced efficiency and potential system damage. When an oil separator is not used, oil can accumulate in the evaporator and compressor, negatively impacting performance.

Installing oil traps in vapor-carrying lines serves as a practical alternative to manage the presence of oil in the system. Oil traps are specifically designed to capture and hold excess oil that might move through the vapor lines, allowing for a more efficient flow of refrigerant and preventing oil from flooding the compressor. This helps maintain the proper lubrication of components within the system while also ensuring optimal performance and reliability.

The other choices, such as adding extra oil, reducing refrigerant levels, or increasing refrigerant, do not address the primary need for managing oil in the absence of a separator. Adding more oil can exacerbate the problem by creating oil slugs within the system. Altering refrigerant amounts does not mitigate oil movement in vapor lines and can lead to inefficiencies or compromise system operation. Thus, using oil traps is the most effective method to address the issue when an oil separator is absent.