Mixed Deck — All CAR Topics Flashcards

In Certified Appliance Recycler, which action should be taken first when a safety incident occurs?

Answer: Ensure the safety of all personnel

The immediate priority in any safety incident is to ensure all personnel are safe and out of danger before addressing other concerns.

What is the primary risk of mercury tilt switches found in some older appliances when the unit is crushed without prior de-manufacturing?

Answer: Mercury is released as a vapor or liquid, contaminating the environment

Crushing appliances with intact mercury tilt switches releases liquid mercury or mercury vapor, both of which are acutely toxic and create environmental contamination.

The RoHS directive's restriction on hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) in appliances is significant for recyclers because:

Answer: Cr VI is a carcinogen that can contaminate soil and groundwater if improperly disposed

Hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen and environmental contaminant found in some older anti-corrosion coatings, requiring careful management during recycling.

Which action would constitute a violation of EPA's refrigerant venting prohibition under Section 608 during appliance processing?

Answer: Puncturing the refrigerant line before recovery to speed up processing

Intentionally releasing refrigerant by puncturing refrigerant lines before recovery is a direct violation of the Section 608 venting prohibition.

Under the CAR certification program, what documentation must accompany a shipment of recovered refrigerant sent to a reclaimer?

Answer: Bill of lading listing refrigerant type, quantity, and facility ID

Recovered refrigerant shipments require a bill of lading identifying the refrigerant type, weight, and originating facility to ensure proper reclamation tracking.

A washing machine fills with water but immediately pumps it out without washing. This symptom suggests a fault in the:

Answer: Water level (pressure) switch

A faulty water level switch that fails to sense water allows the machine to drain immediately because it never signals the control that sufficient water is present.

Which standard governs the safety requirements for hermetically sealed motor compressors used in household refrigerators and freezers?

Answer: UL 484

UL 484 covers room air conditioners and hermetically sealed household refrigerators/freezers for safety compliance.

Which ANSI standard governs the selection and use of eye and face protection in the workplace?

Answer: ANSI Z87.1

ANSI Z87.1 is the standard for occupational eye and face protection devices, including safety glasses, goggles, and face shields.

In appliance blueprints, 'AWG' next to a wire callout refers to:

Answer: Appliance Wiring Gauge — the wire diameter standard used in the US

AWG stands for American Wire Gauge, the standard US system for specifying wire conductor diameter; lower AWG numbers indicate thicker wires.

Under EPA rules, recovered refrigerant must be stored in containers that are:

Answer: DOT-approved recovery cylinders color-coded gray with yellow tops

EPA and DOT require recovered refrigerants to be stored in approved recovery cylinders, which are color-coded gray body with yellow top for mixed/unknown refrigerants.

Before opening a refrigerant circuit on an appliance being recycled, the CAR technician should first verify the system is depressurized by:

Answer: Checking the service valve with a manifold gauge set

Connecting a manifold gauge set to the service port confirms system pressure before any circuit is opened, preventing uncontrolled refrigerant release.

When draining motor oil from a washing machine gearcase, what is the minimum PPE required?

Answer: Full face shield, nitrile gloves, and chemical-resistant apron

Draining motor oil requires protection against splash hazards to the eyes, skin, and clothing, necessitating a full face shield, chemical-resistant gloves, and an apron.

An appliance recycler discovers that a dishwasher contains a pump with suspected asbestos-containing insulation. The correct response is to:

Answer: Halt processing, isolate the unit, and consult asbestos abatement protocols

Suspected asbestos requires immediate halt of processing, isolation of the unit, and consultation with asbestos abatement professionals under NESHAP regulations.

What is the purpose of a manifold gauge set in appliance refrigerant recovery?

Answer: To monitor system pressures and control refrigerant flow during recovery

A manifold gauge set monitors high-side and low-side pressures and controls refrigerant flow between the appliance and the recovery machine.

NIST-traceable calibrated scales used for weighing recovered refrigerant at a CAR facility should be calibrated at minimum:

Answer: Annually, or per the manufacturer's recommended interval

Annual calibration (or per manufacturer schedule) ensures refrigerant weight records are accurate for both regulatory compliance and cylinder fill-level safety.

Which symptom MOST suggests a faulty defrost heater in a frost-free refrigerator?

Answer: Excessive frost buildup on evaporator coils

A failed defrost heater cannot melt accumulated frost from the evaporator coils, leading to heavy frost buildup that restricts airflow and cooling.

A technician is inspecting a 1985 window AC unit. Which refrigerant is most likely present and requires special reporting?

Answer: R-22

R-22 (HCFC-22) was the dominant refrigerant in window AC units of that era and is an ozone-depleting substance subject to phaseout and special reporting requirements.

Which skill is most important for success in Tools & Equipment Operation within Certified Appliance Recycler?

Answer: Continuous learning and adaptation

Continuous learning ensures professionals stay current with evolving practices in Tools & Equipment Operation.

Which component in a residential dishwasher is most likely to contain a small amount of radioactive material?

Answer: The turbidity sensor

Some older dishwasher turbidity sensors used Am-241 (americium) as a radiation source, similar to smoke detectors.

When performing a visual quality control check on a dehumidifier, which finding would cause an immediate rejection from the standard recycling stream?

Answer: Visible PCB-containing capacitors in damaged condition

Damaged PCB-containing capacitors are a hazardous waste requiring special handling and cannot enter the standard recycling stream.