EPA Section 608 Universal Certification ExamType I (Small Appliances)Easy
A technician is recovering refrigerant from a small appliance with a non-operating compressor. The appliance contains 3 ounces of R-22. Which of the following recovery requirements applies to this situation?
- ARecover 80% of the refrigerant, or achieve 10 inches of mercury vacuum.
- BRecover 90% of the refrigerant, or achieve 4 inches of mercury vacuum.
- CRecover 80% of the refrigerant, or achieve 4 inches of mercury vacuum.
- DRecover 90% of the refrigerant, or achieve 10 inches of mercury vacuum.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Recover 80% of the refrigerant, or achieve 4 inches of mercury vacuum.
For small appliances with non-operating compressors, the EPA requires either recovery of 80% of the refrigerant or evacuation to 4 inches of mercury vacuum. This ensures most of the refrigerant is captured while acknowledging the difficulty of deep vacuums with a failed compressor.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 10 inches of mercury is not the correct vacuum level for a non-operating compressor in this context.
- B. 90% recovery is for operating compressors or appliances with less than 200 lbs of refrigerant and an operating compressor.
- D. 90% recovery is for operating compressors, and 10 inches of mercury is not the correct vacuum level for a non-operating compressor.
Small Appliance Recovery (Non-Operating)
EPA regulations specify recovery levels for small appliances based on compressor status, aiming to minimize refrigerant release.
- For non-operating compressors: 80% recovery or 4 inches Hg vacuum.
- For operating compressors: 90% recovery or 4 inches Hg vacuum.
- Small appliances contain 5 pounds or less of refrigerant.
Memory trick: Small appliances: If the compressor's dead, you only need 80% or a shallow 4 Hg dread.