What does "superheat" refer to in refrigeration?

Superheat refers specifically to the temperature of the refrigerant vapor when it has been heated beyond its saturation temperature at a given pressure. In the refrigeration cycle, as refrigerant evaporates inside the evaporator coil, it absorbs heat and changes from liquid to vapor. Superheat is important because it ensures that no liquid refrigerant enters the compressor, which can cause damage. By measuring the superheat, technicians can determine if the evaporator is functioning efficiently and whether the system is properly charged with refrigerant.

Understanding superheat is crucial for effective system performance, as it affects the cooling capacity and efficiency of the refrigeration system. Proper superheat values indicate that the system is operating within the designed parameters, while incorrect values can signal problems like incomplete evaporation or low refrigerant levels.

Other options discuss different aspects of refrigerant behavior. The temperature at the boiling point or saturation temperature of the refrigerant relates to where phase changes (liquid to gas) occur, while the temperature difference at the evaporator inlet and outlet pertains to efficiency but does not define superheat directly.