ASE G1 Auto Maintenance and Light RepairHeating and Air Conditioning (HVAC)Hard
A technician is preparing to recover R-134a refrigerant from a vehicle's AC system. According to EPA Section 609 regulations, which of the following is a mandatory requirement for the recovery equipment used?
- AIt must be able to recover refrigerant at a rate of at least 1 lb per minute.
- BIt must have an internal storage tank that can hold at least 50 lbs of refrigerant.
- CIt must be certified by an EPA-approved third-party testing organization (e.g., UL or SAE J2788).
- DIt must be capable of recovering 95% of the refrigerant, regardless of temperature.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. It must be certified by an EPA-approved third-party testing organization (e.g., UL or SAE J2788).
EPA Section 609 mandates that all refrigerant recovery and recycling equipment used for MVAC systems must be certified by an EPA-approved third-party testing organization to meet specific performance standards, such as SAE J2788 for R-134a.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. While recovery rate is a performance metric, the EPA does not mandate a minimum rate of 1 lb/minute as the primary requirement for equipment certification.
- B. There is no specific minimum internal storage tank size mandated by EPA for recovery equipment, though practical capacity is needed.
- D. The EPA specifies recovery efficiency based on temperature (e.g., 90% with compressor operational, 80% without), not a blanket 95%.
EPA 609 Equipment Certification
Mandatory certification requirement for refrigerant recovery and recycling equipment used on motor vehicle air conditioning (MVAC) systems, ensuring compliance with environmental standards.
- Ensures equipment meets SAE performance standards.
- Certified by EPA-approved third parties (e.g., UL, SAE J2788).
- Aims to minimize refrigerant emissions during service.
Memory trick: Certified Compliance Clears Crucial Criteria.