EPA Section 608 Universal Certification ExamType II (High-Pressure Appliances)Medium
A technician is preparing to recover refrigerant from a high-pressure appliance. The appliance's data plate indicates a maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) for the low side of 180 psig and for the high side of 350 psig. The recovery unit's MAWP is rated at 400 psig. Which of the following statements is true regarding this setup?
- AThe recovery unit's MAWP is acceptable for use with this appliance.
- BThe recovery unit's MAWP only needs to match the low-side MAWP of the appliance.
- CThe technician must use a recovery unit with an MAWP of exactly 350 psig.
- DThe recovery unit's MAWP is insufficient for this appliance.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. The recovery unit's MAWP is acceptable for use with this appliance.
EPA regulations require that recovery equipment used for high-pressure appliances must have an MAWP equal to or greater than the MAWP of the appliance's high side. Since the appliance's high side MAWP is 350 psig and the recovery unit's MAWP is 400 psig, the recovery unit is acceptable.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. The recovery unit's MAWP must be rated for the *highest pressure* in the system it will encounter, which is typically the high-side MAWP of the appliance.
- C. The recovery unit's MAWP must be *equal to or greater than*, not exactly, the appliance's high-side MAWP.
- D. The recovery unit's 400 psig MAWP is greater than the appliance's high-side 350 psig MAWP, so it is sufficient.
Recovery Unit MAWP Matching
The maximum allowable working pressure (MAWP) of a refrigerant recovery unit must be appropriate for the system it is servicing to ensure safety and compliance.
- Recovery unit MAWP must be equal to or greater than the high-side MAWP of the appliance.
- This prevents over-pressurization of the recovery equipment.
- Ensures the equipment can safely handle the pressures encountered during recovery.
Memory trick: MAWP must be high, or your safety will fly!