EPA 608 Type I Practice Test 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Type I certification under EPA Section 608 specifically covers technicians servicing which type of equipment?
- Large commercial chillers using low-pressure refrigerants
- Small appliances — hermetically sealed systems with 5 lbs or less of CFC/HCFC (Correct answer)
- Motor vehicle air conditioning systems
- High-pressure systems above 50 lbs charge
Correct answer: Small appliances — hermetically sealed systems with 5 lbs or less of CFC/HCFC
Type I certification covers small appliances, defined under EPA Section 608 as household refrigerators, freezers, room air conditioners, dehumidifiers, vending machines, drinking water coolers, and similar equipment that uses 5 pounds or less of CFC or HCFC refrigerant in a hermetically sealed system manufactured and charged at the factory.
Question 2: What method of refrigerant recovery is typically used for Type I small appliances where the compressor is still operational?
- System-dependent (passive) recovery using the appliance's own compressor (Correct answer)
- Active recovery using a separate recovery machine with its own compressor
- Purging the refrigerant through the access port into a collection bag
- Recovery is not required if the full charge is under 2 lbs
Correct answer: System-dependent (passive) recovery using the appliance's own compressor
For small appliances with operational compressors, EPA allows system-dependent (passive) recovery — using the appliance's own compressor to pump refrigerant into a recovery cylinder. This method is efficient for small charges. If the compressor is not functional, a recovery machine must be used instead. Recovery is always required regardless of charge size.
Question 3: A household refrigerator typically uses which refrigerant in modern production?
- R-12 (CFC-12)
- R-22 (HCFC-22)
- R-134a (HFC-134a) or R-600a (isobutane) (Correct answer)
- R-410A (HFC blend)
Correct answer: R-134a (HFC-134a) or R-600a (isobutane)
Modern household refrigerators use either R-134a (an HFC with zero ODP) or R-600a (isobutane, a natural hydrocarbon refrigerant with zero ODP and very low GWP). R-12 was phased out of new refrigerators by 1994 due to its high ODP. R-22 is used in air conditioning systems, not refrigerators. R-410A is used in modern air conditioners.
Question 4: For Type I small appliances, what is the required recovery efficiency when the appliance's compressor is NOT functioning?
- 80% of the charge must be recovered
- 90% of the charge must be recovered
- The system must be evacuated to 4 inches of mercury vacuum (Correct answer)
- No specific efficiency standard applies to inoperable compressors
Correct answer: The system must be evacuated to 4 inches of mercury vacuum
When a Type I small appliance has an inoperable compressor, the technician must use a recovery machine to evacuate the system to at least 4 inches of mercury (Hg) vacuum. This standard applies because the appliance's compressor cannot assist with recovery, so a more rigorous method is needed to capture the remaining refrigerant effectively.
Question 5: Which organization certifies recovery equipment used for servicing Type I small appliances?
- The EPA certifies all recovery equipment directly
- UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certifies small appliance recovery equipment
- AHRI (Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute) certifies recovery equipment under EPA-approved programs (Correct answer)
- Recovery equipment for small appliances requires no certification
Correct answer: AHRI (Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute) certifies recovery equipment under EPA-approved programs
Recovery and recycling equipment used for EPA Section 608 compliance must be tested and certified by an EPA-approved equipment testing organization. AHRI has administered the certification program for recovery/recycling equipment, testing that equipment meets EPA efficiency standards. Technicians must use only certified equipment to comply with Section 608.
Question 6: R-600a (isobutane) used as a refrigerant in some small appliances presents which unique safety concern?
- It has the highest ozone depletion potential of any common refrigerant
- It is a highly flammable refrigerant (Class A3) requiring special handling precautions (Correct answer)
- It is extremely toxic at low concentrations and requires SCBA protection
- It reacts violently with water in the refrigerant circuit
Correct answer: It is a highly flammable refrigerant (Class A3) requiring special handling precautions
R-600a (isobutane) is classified as an A3 refrigerant — low toxicity but highly flammable with a low ignition energy. This flammability requires special precautions: no ignition sources near the work area, use of non-sparking tools, and awareness that even small leaks create an explosion risk. Despite small charges (typically 1-3 oz), technicians must treat R-600a with extreme care.
EPA 608 Type I Practice Test 2
Type I certification under EPA Section 608 specifically covers technicians servicing which type of equipment?