EPA Section 608 Universal Certification ExamType II (High-Pressure Appliances)Medium
A technician is performing a recovery from a high-pressure appliance containing R-22. The appliance has a charge of 35 pounds. According to EPA regulations, what is the required evacuation level if the recovery device was manufactured after November 15, 1993?
- A0 psig
- B15 inches of Hg vacuum
- C10 inches of Hg vacuum
- D4 inches of Hg vacuum
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 10 inches of Hg vacuum
For high-pressure appliances with a charge of more than 10 pounds, manufactured after November 15, 1993, the EPA requires evacuation to 10 inches of mercury vacuum.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 0 psig (atmospheric pressure) is not a sufficient vacuum for effective recovery and is only acceptable for very low-pressure appliances or specific conditions not met here.
- B. 15 inches of Hg vacuum is a common requirement for high-pressure appliances with a charge of 10 lbs or less, or for equipment manufactured before 1993.
- D. 4 inches of Hg vacuum is a standard for very low-pressure appliances, not high-pressure appliances like those using R-22.
High-Pressure Appliance Recovery Levels (Post-1993 Equipment)
EPA regulations specify different evacuation levels for high-pressure appliances based on charge size and recovery equipment age. For R-22 (high-pressure) with a charge >10 lbs and post-1993 equipment, it's 10 inches of Hg vacuum.
- Applies to high-pressure appliances (e.g., R-22, R-410A).
- Equipment manufactured after November 15, 1993.
- Charge size >10 lbs requires 10 inches of Hg vacuum.
- Charge size <=10 lbs requires 15 inches of Hg vacuum.
Memory trick: High pressure, post-93, big charge? 10 is the key!