What component is necessary to protect the compressor from liquid refrigerant?

The correct choice is accumulators. An accumulator is a vital component in refrigeration and air conditioning systems, primarily designed to protect the compressor from liquid refrigerant. It serves the purpose of collecting any liquid refrigerant that may return to the compressor, ensuring that only vapor enters the compressor.

This protection is crucial because compressors are designed to handle vapor, and introducing liquid refrigerant can cause significant damage, known as liquid slugging. The accumulator helps to separate the liquid from the vapor, allowing excess liquid to accumulate while only the vapor is passed on to the compressor. This process prevents potential damage and maintains the efficiency of the system.

While there are other components listed, such as receivers, condensers, and evaporators, they do not perform the same protective function concerning the compressor. Receivers are typically used in systems with a liquid refrigerant, serving as a storage tank but not specifically designed to protect the compressor from liquid. Condensers and evaporators have distinct roles in the refrigeration cycle, focusing on the phase changes of refrigerants rather than direct protection of the compressor from liquid exposure.