Many recovery cylinders use a safety device to turn off the recovery machine when the cylinder is 80% full. What is this device?

The safety device that turns off the recovery machine when the cylinder is 80% full is known as a liquid level switch. This switch is designed to monitor the level of liquid refrigerant within the recovery cylinder. When the liquid reaches a predetermined level, which, in this case, is 80% of the cylinder's capacity, the liquid level switch activates, stopping the recovery operation.

The purpose of this safety feature is to prevent overfilling the recovery cylinder, which could lead to hazardous conditions, such as increased pressure and the potential for cylinder rupture or refrigerant release. By stopping the recovery machine at a safe liquid level, the liquid level switch helps ensure safe handling of refrigerants in compliance with safety guidelines and regulations.

Other devices, such as a low-side float, pressure relief valve, or filter-drier, serve different functions within an HVAC system. The low-side float regulates the refrigerant level in the evaporator, the pressure relief valve protects against excessive pressure within the system, and the filter-drier is responsible for removing moisture and contaminants from the refrigerant. While these components are crucial for system operation, they do not specifically monitor the liquid level in recovery cylinders.