The first task when a system-related problem is reported should always be to gather information and evaluate the accuracy of the received information. Expending effort on a problem without accurate information can cause a lot of extra costs and lost time.
The data received in connection with problems are often third-hand information. This information is often presented as being more accurate than it actually is, due to the desire of all the parties involved for immediate action to correct the problem. To avoid being misled, it is important to have a systematic approach to dealing with system-related problems, i.e. collecting the correct data and evaluating them systematically.
Making a qualified evaluation requires accurate information. In a refrigerant application, this is often quite difficult, because every component and condition will affect the whole cycle. For example, if there is a problem in the discharge line it will affect the evaporator, and vice versa. However, the fact that the system data are linked to each other is an advantage, because it is possible to check the reasonableness of the received data.