A reciprocating compressor with leaking valves will operate with:

• A. A low amp draw, high suction pressure, and low head pressure.
• B. A high amp draw, low suction pressure, and high head pressure.
• C. Low suction pressure and low head pressure with high current.
• D. High current and high pressures overall.

Answer: (A)

When valves in a reciprocating compressor leak, some of the compressed refrigerant can slip back into the suction side during operation. That backflow reduces the pressure the system can build on the discharge side (lower head pressure) while it can push the suction side pressure up the bit (higher suction pressure) because gas is returning to the low-pressure side. With less pressure differential to overcome, the motor doesn’t have to work as hard, so the current draw is reduced (low amp draw). This combination fits the scenario of a leaking-valve condition.