Practice Test Geeks(313D) Residential Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic Certification Practice Test
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Refrigerant Handling and Recovery Flashcards

7 cards from real 313D practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. What is the primary difference between refrigerant 'recovery,' 'recycling,' and 'reclaiming'?

    Answer: Recovery=remove from system; recycling=oil separation/filter on-site; reclaiming=AHRI 700 purity at certified facility

    EPA defines recovery as removing refrigerant from a system, recycling as basic on-site cleaning (oil separation, filtering), and reclaiming as reprocessing to AHRI 700 purity at a certified facility.

  2. Which federal agency certifies technicians who service, maintain, repair, or dispose of equipment containing refrigerants?

    Answer: EPA

    The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administers the Section 608 technician certification program under the Clean Air Act.

  3. A split-system air conditioner is being decommissioned. The outdoor unit contains 8 lbs of R-410A. What recovery efficiency level is required using a recovery machine manufactured after November 15, 1993?

    Answer: 80% of the charge recovered or 4 inches Hg vacuum

    For appliances with less than 200 lbs of refrigerant using a post-1993 recovery machine, the required level before disposal is 80% removal or reducing system pressure to 4 inches Hg vacuum.

  4. Why is it critical to keep moisture out of recovered R-410A refrigerant?

    Answer: Moisture reacts with POE oil to form acids that damage compressors

    Moisture reacts with POE oil at high temperatures to form hydrolysis acids, which corrode metal components and break down the oil's lubricating properties.

  5. A technician uses a self-sealing valve recovery cylinder. What is the key safety advantage of this cylinder design?

    Answer: The valve automatically closes when the hose is disconnected, preventing accidental release

    Self-sealing (Schrader-type) valve cylinders automatically close when the service hose is removed, preventing refrigerant escape during connection and disconnection.

  6. When refrigerant is recovered from a system and later sent to a reclaimer, the reclaimer is required by EPA to:

    Answer: Return the reclaimed refrigerant or equivalent virgin refrigerant to the sender

    Certified reclaimers must return to the sender an equivalent quantity of refrigerant meeting AHRI 700 purity standards, though not necessarily the exact same molecules.

  7. Which condition would MOST likely cause a recovery machine to short-cycle (start and stop rapidly) during vapor-phase recovery?

    Answer: A refrigerant system with very low remaining charge and near-vacuum pressures

    When system pressure drops near vacuum as the charge is depleted, the recovery machine's low-pressure cutout trips repeatedly, causing short-cycling.