EPA 608 Type III Practice Test 1 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: A rupture disk in a low-pressure system will open at which of the following psig?

20 psig
25 psig
10 psig
15 psig (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 15 psig

Rupture disks are critical safety devices in low-pressure refrigeration systems, designed to prevent over-pressurization. EPA regulations mandate that these disks must open at 15 psig to safely release refrigerant. This specific pressure setting protects the system's components from damage and ensures the safety of personnel by preventing catastrophic failure.

Question 2: With Type III certification, what kind of equipment can be worked on?

Vacuum pressure
Low-pressure (Correct answer)
High-pressure
Medium-pressure

Correct answer: Low-pressure

The EPA Section 608 certification program categorizes technicians based on the type of refrigeration equipment they are qualified to service. Type III certification specifically authorizes technicians to work on low-pressure refrigeration systems. These systems typically include large chillers that use refrigerants like R-11 or R-123, requiring specialized knowledge due to their unique operating characteristics and safety protocols.

Question 3: Which of the following is used to cool the absorption chiller?

Neither of the options
Both of the options
Electricity
Heat (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Heat

Absorption chillers operate on a fundamentally different principle than traditional vapor-compression chillers. Instead of using mechanical compression, they utilize a heat source to drive a thermochemical process involving a refrigerant and an absorbent. This heat input, often from waste heat or natural gas, powers the cooling cycle, making heat the primary energy source for their operation.

Question 4: What is the machine room safety standard:

AHRI-740
ASHRAE-15 (Correct answer)
EPA-740
ASHRAE-34

Correct answer: ASHRAE-15

ASHRAE Standard 15, titled "Safety Standard for Refrigeration Systems," is the widely recognized and adopted safety standard for refrigeration equipment and systems, including those in machine rooms. This standard provides comprehensive guidelines for the design, installation, and operation of refrigeration systems to minimize risks such as refrigerant leaks, ensuring the safety of both equipment and personnel.

Question 5: All refrigerated recovery cylinders are approved by this agency:

ARI
EPA
DOT (Correct answer)
OSHA

Correct answer: DOT

Open-drive compressors are characterized by having the compressor and its motor as separate units, connected by a shaft or belt, with the motor external to the sealed refrigerant circuit. Reciprocating compressors are a common type that can be found in open-drive configurations, particularly in larger industrial and commercial refrigeration applications. This design allows for easier motor maintenance or replacement compared to hermetic or semi-hermetic types.

Question 6: When evacuating refrigerant, water must be circulated through the tubes to prevent:

Water leaks.
Oil problems.
Refrigerant Leaks.
Water from freezing. (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Water from freezing.

R-22 is classified as a high-pressure refrigerant in most chiller applications. According to EPA Section 608 regulations, technicians who work on high-pressure refrigeration systems (excluding small appliances and motor vehicle air conditioning) must hold a Type II certification. This certification ensures they possess the necessary knowledge and skills for safe handling, recovery, and disposal of refrigerants from such equipment.

Question 7: Which of the following types of compressors are open-drive compressors?

Reciprocating (Correct answer)
Scroll
Screw
Centrifugal

Correct answer: Reciprocating

A 'ton' of refrigeration is a standard unit of cooling capacity, defined as the amount of heat removed to melt one ton (2000 lbs) of ice in 24 hours. This is equivalent to 12,000 BTUs per hour (BTU/hr). Therefore, to convert 5 tons of energy into BTUs per hour, you multiply 5 tons by 12,000 BTU/ton, which equals 60,000 BTUs per hour.

Question 8: To repair an R-22 chiller, the technician must:

must have a Type III certification.
must have a Type II certification. (Correct answer)
must have a Type I certification.
does not need a certification.

Correct answer: must have a Type II certification.

When removing oil from a low-pressure refrigeration system, it is crucial to heat the oil to at least 130 degrees F (54.4 degrees C). This elevated temperature helps to vaporize any dissolved refrigerant within the oil, allowing it to be recovered more effectively. Heating the oil ensures that minimal refrigerant is trapped and subsequently released into the atmosphere when the oil is drained.

Question 9: Convert 5 tons of energy into BTUs every hour.

70,000
80,000
60,000 (Correct answer)
50,000

Correct answer: 60,000

Electronic leak detectors are highly sensitive instruments used to identify refrigerant leaks in HVAC/R systems. The EPA mandates that certified leak detectors must be capable of detecting leaks at a rate of 0.25 ounces per year (or 7 grams per year) for CFC, HCFC, and HFC refrigerants. This sensitivity ensures that even very small leaks, which can contribute significantly to environmental emissions over time, are promptly identified and addressed.

Question 10: What temperature must be attained while removing oil from a low-pressure system?

130 degrees F. (Correct answer)
50 degrees F.
75 degrees F.
100 degrees F.

Correct answer: 130 degrees F.

The EPA sets specific evacuation levels for refrigerant recovery from different types of systems to minimize environmental emissions. For low-pressure systems, the required evacuation level for recovery or recycling equipment is 25 mm of Hg absolute. Achieving this deep vacuum ensures that nearly all refrigerant is removed from the system before it is opened for service, preventing its release into the atmosphere.

Question 11: An electronic leak detector can detect leaks at what rate per year?

.5 oz
1 oz
.20 oz
.25 oz (Correct answer)

Correct answer: .25 oz

Under EPA regulations, owners or operators of refrigeration equipment are required to repair substantial leaks within a specific timeframe to mitigate refrigerant emissions. For most types of equipment, a substantial leak must be repaired within 30 days of its discovery. This regulation aims to quickly address significant refrigerant losses and protect the environment.

Question 12: For recovery or recycling equipment used on low-pressure systems, the EPA required evacuation level is:

25 mm of Hg absolute. (Correct answer)
30 inches Hg absolute.
20 inches Hg.
15 inches Hg.

Correct answer: 25 mm of Hg absolute.

When charging a low-pressure system, it is essential to introduce refrigerant as a vapor initially to prevent the water in the chiller tubes from freezing. Introducing vapor helps raise the system's saturation temperature to a minimum of 36 degrees F (2.2 degrees C). This precaution prevents ice formation, which could cause severe damage to the chiller's evaporator tubes.

Question 13: What is the time period for repairing substantial leaks?

20 Days
45 Days
10 Days
30 Days (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 30 Days

The EPA defines a 'substantial leak' for industrial and commercial refrigeration systems as a loss of 35% or more of the system's normal refrigerant charge within a 12-month period. Reaching this threshold triggers mandatory leak repair requirements and follow-up verification tests. This regulation aims to identify and address significant refrigerant losses promptly, reducing their environmental impact.

Question 14: When charging a low-pressure system, introduce refrigerant as a vapor to raise the system's saturation temperature to a minimum of;

36 degrees (Correct answer)
70 degrees
0 degrees
40 degrees

Correct answer: 36 degrees

For low-pressure systems using refrigerants like R-123, the most efficient recovery process involves starting with liquid removal. Liquid recovery is significantly faster than vapor recovery because it moves a greater mass of refrigerant per unit of time. Once the majority of the liquid refrigerant has been recovered, the process then switches to vapor recovery to draw down the remaining refrigerant to the required vacuum level.

Question 15: What percentage or more of the normal charge for industrial and commercial refrigeration systems is a substantial leak?

30%
35% (Correct answer)
20%
25%

Correct answer: 35%

In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), an SD, or Discriminative Stimulus, is a cue that signals the availability of reinforcement for a particular behavior. When an SD is present, performing the target behavior is likely to be reinforced, making the behavior more probable in the future under similar conditions. It essentially tells an individual, 'If you do X now, you'll get Y.'

Question 16: Which of the following best defines the R-123 system's refrigerant recovery process?

Run the compressor and only recover refrigerant in the vapor state.
Start with vapor removal and then switch over to liquid recovery.
Start with liquid removal and then switch over to vapor recovery. (Correct answer)
Run the compressor and only recover refrigerant in the liquid state.

Correct answer: Start with liquid removal and then switch over to vapor recovery.

In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), 'escape,' 'attention,' 'tangible,' and 'sensory' (also known as automatic) are the four primary functions of behavior. These functions describe the underlying reason or purpose behind why an individual engages in a particular behavior. Understanding the function is crucial for developing effective and appropriate intervention strategies to address challenging behaviors.

EPA 608 Type III Practice Test 1

A rupture disk in a low-pressure system will open at which of the following psig?