Plumbing, Electrical & HVAC Systems Flashcards
7 cards from real ASHI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Plumbing, Electrical & HVAC Systems flashcards as text
An inspector observes that the water heater's temperature and pressure relief (TPR) valve discharge pipe terminates into a bucket. What should be reported?
Answer: The discharge pipe must terminate to a safe location outside, a floor drain, or within 6 inches of the floor
TPR discharge pipes must terminate to a safe outdoor or drain location, or within 6 inches of the floor, to prevent injury from scalding water or steam.
What is the ASHI Standard of Practice position on inspecting the interior of underground fuel storage tanks?
Answer: Underground fuel storage tanks are excluded from the ASHI Standards of Practice
ASHI Standards of Practice explicitly exclude underground fuel storage tanks from the scope of a standard home inspection.
A home inspector notices the refrigerant lines on an air conditioner are not insulated for several feet. What is the impact?
Answer: Missing insulation on the suction line causes condensation, energy loss, and reduced efficiency
The suction (larger) line must be insulated to prevent condensation dripping and to maintain system efficiency; missing insulation is a reportable deficiency.
During inspection of a 240V dryer circuit, the inspector finds a 3-prong outlet in a newer home built after 1996. What is the concern?
Answer: Post-1996 installations require 4-wire (neutral + ground) 240V dryer circuits and outlets
NEC 1996 changes required 4-wire dryer circuits in new construction to separate the neutral and equipment ground for safety.
What is the purpose of a trap primer in a floor drain?
Answer: To prevent sewer gases from entering through a dried-out trap
Trap primers periodically add water to seldom-used floor drain traps, preventing the water seal from evaporating and allowing sewer gases to enter.
An inspector sees an electric panel with the main breaker rated at 200 amps but the service entrance conductors appear to be #4 AWG aluminum. What is the concern?
Answer: #4 AWG aluminum is only rated for approximately 85 amps, which is undersized for a 200-amp breaker
#4 AWG aluminum conductors are rated for roughly 65-85 amps, far below the 200-amp breaker rating, creating an overheating and fire hazard.
Which condition would cause a heat pump to continuously run in auxiliary/emergency heat mode?
Answer: Refrigerant charge is low or outdoor coil is severely iced over
Low refrigerant or heavy ice on the outdoor coil prevents the heat pump from extracting heat, forcing the system to rely on inefficient auxiliary resistance heating.