So yesterday we discussed expansion device systems. Today we are going to look at orifice tube based systems.

On some auto air conditioning compressor sytems they use an accumulator and an orifice tube. Chevrolet AC Compressor systems use this setup frequently. In this system the pressure is accumulated in the accumulator and hence the name. The orifice tube catches debris at the low side of the system

The orifice tube is in line on the return side of the system. You usually have to pry it away from the hose to get it to fit in there. The orifice tube should be changed with any ac compressor change or any system cleaning.