What is the minimum requirement for a water-cooled condenser's supply line?

The minimum requirement for a water-cooled condenser's supply line is backflow prevention. This is crucial to ensure that water cannot flow back into the municipal water supply or any other connected system, which could contaminate potable water sources. Backflow prevention devices, such as check valves, are designed to prevent the reverse flow of water, thereby maintaining the integrity and safety of the water supply.

In the context of refrigeration and air conditioning systems, the supply line brings water from a source (like a cooling tower) to the condenser. If there is any pressure drop or malfunction in the system, backflow prevention measures ensure that water does not inadvertently switch direction and re-enter the source. This is vital to prevent contamination and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

Other components, while important for system operation, do not serve as the fundamental minimum requirement for the supply line itself. Options like pressure relief valves, isolation valves, and thermostatic expansion valves each have their specific functions in regulating pressure, isolating parts of the system for maintenance, or controlling refrigerant flow, but backflow prevention is uniquely essential for protecting water quality and preventing back contamination issues.