Why must caution be exercised when bending soft-drawn refrigerant tubing?

When bending soft-drawn refrigerant tubing, caution must be exercised primarily because improper bending can create restrictions to refrigerant flow. Soft-drawn tubing is designed to be malleable and can easily be shaped; however, if the bending is done too tightly or without proper tools, it can lead to kinks or sharp bends that restrict the flow of refrigerant. This restriction can result in reduced system efficiency, increased pressure drop, and potential damage to the compressor over time due to the improper operation of the system.

While the other considerations about flexibility, cracking, and breakage are valid concerns in the context of handling tubing, they don't encapsulate the most critical reason for careful bending practices in terms of HVAC functionality. Restrictions to refrigerant flow are particularly detrimental to the overall performance of refrigeration and air conditioning systems, making it essential to handle the tubing correctly during installation and maintenance.