Air Conditioning Repair Refrigerant Handling and Recovery Questions and Answers

Question 1

Which of the following actions is a direct violation of the EPA's Section 608 "prohibition on venting"?

Accepted Answer

Knowingly releasing R-22 from a hose when disconnecting from a residential system.

Answer

Section 608 of the Clean Air Act prohibits the knowing release of ozone-depleting and substitute refrigerants (like R-22 and R-410A) into the atmosphere during service or disposal of equipment. Releasing the small amount of refrigerant trapped in a hose is considered a violation. Nitrogen is an inert gas and not subject to this prohibition.

Question 2

A technician is recovering refrigerant from a system with a confirmed compressor burnout. Which of the following actions is MOST critical to protect the recovery equipment?

Accepted Answer

Using an in-line filter-drier on the recovery hose.

Answer

A compressor burnout creates acids and sludge in the refrigerant and oil. Using an in-line filter-drier during recovery is essential to capture these contaminants, protecting the recovery machine's compressor, seals, and sensors from damage.

Question 3

To prevent a recovery cylinder from dangerously over-pressurizing, a technician must ensure it is not filled with liquid refrigerant beyond what percentage of its water capacity by weight?

Accepted Answer

80%

Answer

Recovery cylinders must not be filled with liquid refrigerant beyond 80% of their capacity. This leaves a 20% vapor space to allow the liquid to expand with temperature changes, preventing a massive increase in hydrostatic pressure that could rupture the tank.

Question 4

According to standard safety practices, what is the MINIMUM personal protective equipment (PPE) a technician should wear when connecting and disconnecting refrigerant hoses?

Accepted Answer

Safety glasses with side shields and gloves.

Answer

Liquid refrigerant can cause severe frostbite on contact with skin and permanent eye damage from splashes. Therefore, safety glasses with side shields and refrigerant-resistant gloves are considered the minimum required PPE for refrigerant handling.

Question 5

A technician is trying to locate a very slow, intermittent refrigerant leak in a residential split system. A visual inspection reveals no oil traces. Which of the following is the MOST effective method for precisely locating this type of leak?

Accepted Answer

Using a high-sensitivity electronic leak detector.

Answer

For very slow or intermittent leaks, a high-sensitivity electronic leak detector is the most effective tool. It can detect refrigerant concentrations in parts per million, allowing it to pinpoint leaks that are too small to produce audible hissing or visible bubbles with a soap solution.

Air Conditioning Repair Practice Test

Air Conditioning Repair Practice Test

Air Conditioning Repair Refrigerant Handling and Recovery Questions and Answers