Q & A Flashcards
What color are the gauges on a manifold gauge set?
Low pressure is blue, and High pressure is red.
What are the typical uses of the center port gauge set?
Used during evacuation, charging, and recovery procedures.
What are the typical ranges of the pressure measurements used on the gauges of a manifold gauge set?
High side is 0 to 500 PSIG;
Low side is 0 to 350 PSIG, and 0 to 30 in. Hg below atmospheric pressure.
Is the refrigerant leaving a condenser at a high or low pressure? Is it a liquid or a gas?
High pressure, liquid.
Is the refrigerant entering the expansion valve (variable metering device) a liquid or gas?
Liquid, high pressure.
Is the pressure of the refrigerant entering the compressor high or low?
Low pressure vapor.
Where in a refrigerant circuit does a liquid boil to absorb heat?
In the evaporator.
The refrigerant in the suction line is a gas that has been heated above its saturation. What is this condition called?
Superheated vapor.
What can cause liquid refrigerant to migrate to a compressor crankcase?
If the compressor is located in the coldest location in the circuit
List two conditions that can quickly damage a compressor that is starting to run?
Operating while in a deep vacuum or when the service valves are closed.
What system failures require taking an oil sample?
A compressor burnout or if the unit has had a leak.
Is flushing with refrigerant an acceptable tube cleaning method?
No.
In addition to preventing and repairing leaks, what else should a technician do to conserve refrigerant?
Recover and recycle used refrigerants.
What factors affect the speed of an evacuation?
Pump size, hose length, hose diameter, size of system to be evacuated, ambient temperature, suction line size, and the amount of moisture in the system.
How should gauge set hoses be sized for use in evacuating a system?
Use the shortest length and the largest diameter possible for the quickest evacuation. At least as large as the vacuum pump inlet.
When evacuating, what is the benefit of using short hoses with large diameters?
Reduces emissions, pressures drop, and evacuation time.
Which connection determines the preferred size of hoses used with a vacuum pump?
The vacuum pump inlet.
As the capacity and suction hose size increase, what happens to the time needed for an evacuation?
Time is reduced.
What purpose is served by heating a system during dehydration?
To speed up moisture removal.
Does a thorough evacuation remove moisture from a system?
Yes.
What can happen to oil in the compressor if the moisture is left in an operating system?
The oil will form hydrofluoric and hydrochloric acids which will corrode the internal parts of the system.
What is the result of over-evacuation a system?
No damage will be done.
How can a system be leak checked using a low pressure gauge?
Vacuum reading will rise when vacuum pump is turned off.
How close should the vacuum gauge be connected to the vacuum pump during evacuation?
As far away as possible.
When measuring the vacuum of a system being evacuated, the system must be isolated. What must be done to the vacuum pump?
Turn it off and valve it off.
What is ozone?
3 atoms of oxygen. It blocks much of the harmful ultraviolet radiation (uv-b) emitted from the sun and it keeps our earths temperature stable.
How much ozone can a chlorine atom destroy in the stratosphere?
One atom can destroy 100,000 ozone molecules.
What is Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)?
The ability of any chemical to deplete the ozone layer.
What is CFC?
Chlorofluorocarbon.
Which refrigerants are CFC’s?
R-11, 12,113,114
Which chemical in the CFC refrigerants does the damage to the ozone layer?
Chlorine.
What is an HCFC?
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons.
Which refrigerants are HCFC’s?
R-22,123
Which is more harmful to the ozone layer, CFC or an HCFC?
CFC’s.
What is it about the CFC’s that make them more harmful to the stratosphere?
Chemical strength, they will not breakdown in the lower atmosphere.
What is an HFC?
A fluorocarbon that contains no chlorine.
Which refrigerants are HFC’s?
R-134a, 404a, 407c, 410a.
What is the ODP of the HFC refrigerant?
Zero.
Which refrigerants contain chlorine?
CFC’s and HCFC’s.
Which refrigerants have high ODP?
CFC’s.
Which refrigerants have low ODP?
HCFC’s, HFC’s are zero.
What is an azeotrope refrigerant?
A mixture of two or more compounds where the mixture behaves like a single chemical.
Is one of the components of R-500 a CFC?
Yes
Does stratospheric ozone help or hurt the work of the earths protective shield?
It helps
What chemical in the stratosphere tells us ozone depletion is occurring?
Chlorine-monoxide
How do we know the chlorine in the stratosphere is coming from CFC’s?
The increase in chlorine and fluorine present in the stratosphere, matches the increase in emissions of CFC’s.
How do we know CFC’s get to the stratosphere?
From high altitude air sampling measurements.
What role does the ozone layer play in protecting the earth?
It blocks much of the harmful ultraviolet radiation (uv-b).
What are the effects in health from increased ultraviolet radiation?
Skin cancer, cataracts, human immunity is reduced.
What are the effects on the environment?
Timber growth is reduced, crop yields lowered, marine life and the food chain are impaired.
Is ozone depletion a problem for the United States only or a global problem?
A global problem.
What is the Montreal Protocol?
A treaty that called for the reduction of production of CFC’s.
The Montreal Protocol calls for the regulation of what chemicals?
Ozone depleting compounds, CFC’s, HCFC’s, and Halons.
On what date was the production and importation of all CFC’s phased out?
In the U.S., after December 31, 1995.
Where will we get replacements?
Through recovery of existing refrigerants.
What steps are called for by the Clean Air Act?
Taxes on production and use, standards set for the recovery of refrigerants.
What is prohibited by the Clean Air Act?
Venting.
Do state and local laws have priority over federal law? Can they be less strict?
No. Cities or states can create their own laws but they must be at least as strict as federal laws.
To prevent damage to the ozone layer, The U.S. is making laws to capture the CFC’s now in use. What else does the new law do to restrict the release of CFC’s?
Allows states and municipalities to create their own laws to prevent and monitor the release of CFC and HCFC materials into the atmosphere.
By recovering refrigerants, we ensure adequate supplies and prevent venting. What else does the recovery of refrigerants accomplish?
Prevents stratospheric ozone depletion.
The Clean Air Act phases out the CFC/HCFC production and prohibits venting. What else does it require?
Standards to be set for recovery of all refrigerants prior to appliance service and disposal.
Falsifying or failing to keep required records, failing to reach required evacuation levels and knowingly releasing CFC or HCFC refrigerants, are a violations of the Clean Air Act. What activity with a substitute refrigerant is also a violation?
Knowingly venting CFC’s, HCFC’s, and their substitutes
Which refrigerants must be recovered prior to opening a system?
All refrigerants as of 11-15-1995
What releases of a CFC and HCFC are violations of Clean Air Act?
Any knowingly vented refrigerants.
On what date did it become illegal to vent CFC and HCFC refrigerants?
July 1st, 1992
Which appliances are covered by section 608?
Any device which contains and uses a class 1 or class 2 substance as a refrigerant and is used for household or commercial purposes.
What is the primary reason the EPA requires a service aperture or process stub on all appliances?
For adding or removing refrigerant from the appliance.
Who sets the regulations for recovery machines?
EPA
What is a “self-contained” recovery machines?
A recovery machine that has its own compressor to pump refrigerant out of the system.
Is HCFC-123 a “low” or “high” pressure refrigerant?
Low pressure.
Is CFC-12 a “low” or “high” pressure refrigerant?
High pressure
What is the smallest container in which refrigerants may be sold to a section 608 certified technicians.
20 pounds.
What must you do to the refrigerant in an appliance before disposing of the appliance?
Recover refrigerant or verify that the refrigerant was previously recovered.
Who is responsible for removing the refrigerants from household refrigerators prior to disposal?
The final person in the disposal chain. (Scrap metal recyclers, landfill owner, etc.)
What is the penalty for violation of the Clean Air Act?
Fines up to $27,500 per violation per day and possible loss of technician certification.
How much is the bounty for information leading to a conviction?
Up to $10,000.
What can happen if a technician cannot demonstrate an ability to use recovery or recycling equipment?
May result in revocation of the technicians certification.
What is the name of the process that removes refrigerant from system and stores it without testing of processing?
Recovery.
What is the name for the process that removes moisture and acids from refrigerant but does not test the refrigerant?
Recycling.
What is the name for the process that removes moisture and acids from refrigerant and also chemically tests the refrigerant?
Reclaim.
What must be done with reclaimed refrigerant before it can be legally resold?
Chemically tested to ARI Standard 700, the purity level of factory new refrigerant.
What is the preferred instrument for detecting small leaks!
Electronic leak detector and ultrasonic detector
What is an inert gas typically used in leak detection?
Dry nitrogen.
What is typically indicates by a dehydrated system failing to hold a vacuum?
Leaks.
What should be done when recovering the refrigerant from a system where the refrigerant has been improperly mixed?
Recover into a separate container.
Can mixed refrigerant be reclaimed?
No.
What precautions should be taken recovering refrigerant from systems with multiple service valves?
Insure that liquid is not trapped between service valves.
What is the effect of low ambient temperature on the time required to complete a recovery of refrigerant?
Increases recovery time.
Technicians must explain to customers that recovery is necessary and it is required by law. What else should the technician tell the customer?
That all service personnel are duty bound to follow the law and protect the environment.
What is different about any leaks in systems charged with a blended refrigerant?
Because they are blended, the ingredients will leak at different rates.
What is “temperature glide”?
A family of lines depicting pressure versus temperature curve.
What is ternary blend?
A blend of three different refrigerants.
How should systems using blended refrigerants be charged?
In liquid form into the high side of the system.
Is there a “drop-in” refrigerant for CDC-12?
No.
How do you leak check an HFC-134a system with a partial charge (no HFC-134a detector available)?
Recover the remaining 134a and then pressurize the system with nitrogen and a trace charge of R-22 so you can use an HCFC electronic leak detector:
What is the preferred oil to be used with HFC-134a?
Ployolester
Can water based oils be mixed with other oils?
No.
What does “hygroscopic” mean?
Oil that absorbs moisture easily.
What lubricant is recommended for use with a ternary blend?
Depends on the blend: for HCFC’s-Alkylbenze, for HFC’s-Ployolester.
Safety glasses and butyl lines gloves should be worn for what procedures?
When operating recovery or recycling devices and when handling and refilling refrigerant cylinders.
What safety component must be used whenever dry nitrogen is used to pressurize a system?
Pressure regulator.
Safety rules for technicians such as: no open flam or hot steam near a refrigerant, never cutting or brazing a charged refrigerant line, and never using oxygen to purge or pressurize lines, are all important. Which one should a technician follow?
All of them.
What is Material Safety Data Sheet?
A sheet the states the safety ratings and precautions to be taken for use and handling of chemicals.
What safety classification within the ASHRAE standard is the most safe?
A1.
What is caused by the inhaling of refrigerant vapors?
Heart Irregularities or Asphyxia.
What is the major causes of death involving refrigerants?
Oxygen deprivation.
What breathing problem can be caused by CFC-12?
Asphyxia.
How can ice be removed from a sight glass?
With alcohol spray.
What must be done with a badly corroded relied valve?
It must be replaced.
Where can you find the allowable read pressure on a system?
Unit data plate.
Can oxygen be used to check for leaks? If not, why not?
No. Oxygen in the presence of oil under high pressure can be explosive.
What is the likely result of heating a recovery cylinder with open fame?
Refrigerant will decompose into a toxic material, venting of refrigerant in the atmosphere or the tank may explode.
What is the primary purpose of a disposable cylinder?
For virgin refrigerant from the manufacturer.
To what internal pressure should a disposable cylinder be reduced to for disposal?
Reduced to at least 0 PSIG.
Should you ever us a disposable cylinder for refrigerant recovery?
No.
To dispose of a cylinder you should be sure all refrigerant is recovered and the cylinder is no longer usable. What else should you do?
Puncture the container before disposal.