What could cause one circuit in a multi-circuit evaporator to have a higher superheat than the others?

In a multi-circuit evaporator, a blocked distributor can lead to one circuit having a higher superheat than the others due to an impeded flow of refrigerant into that particular circuit. When the distributor is blocked, it restricts the refrigerant's ability to properly distribute evenly across all circuits. This means that even though the system is operating, the blocked circuit may not receive enough refrigerant, leading to an increase in superheat as the refrigerant quickly vaporizes and reaches higher temperatures before it exits the evaporator.

This situation can result in inefficient cooling, as other circuits may be receiving the correct amount of refrigerant and operating normally, while the blocked circuit runs hotter, ultimately affecting the overall balance of the refrigeration system. Maintaining unobstructed flow through all the circuits is essential for consistent superheat levels across the evaporator.