If an A/C unit has a low refrigerant charge, how would the compressor amperage be affected?

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When an A/C unit is operating with a low refrigerant charge, the compressor is unable to receive the appropriate amount of refrigerant necessary for effective cooling. As a result, it has to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. This increased workload can lead to a scenario where the suction pressure in the system decreases, ultimately causing the compressor to draw less current.

In this situation, the amperage drawn by the compressor is typically lower than normal due to insufficient refrigerant to effectively transfer heat. This condition means that the compressor is less efficient and may not be delivering optimal performance, resulting in a lower electrical demand. Therefore, low refrigerant charge leads to a reduced compressive workload, reflecting in lower amperage readings.

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