Free EPA 608 Exam Flashcards

The Clean Air Act section that regulates stationary refrigeration and air-conditioning refrigerants. It matters because technicians must recover regulated refrigerants, avoid venting, and hold proper certification before service or disposal work.

The Clean Air Act section for motor vehicle air conditioning. EPA 608 exam questions often test this boundary: stationary equipment is Section 608, while MVAC work is Section 609.

Knowingly releasing regulated refrigerant during service, maintenance, repair, or disposal is illegal. The rule protects the ozone layer and climate and is one of the most tested EPA 608 concepts.

A small, unavoidable release that occurs while following good service practices, such as connecting or disconnecting hoses. It is not permission to deliberately vent refrigerant.

The international agreement that drove phaseout of ozone-depleting substances such as CFCs and HCFCs. EPA 608 uses it to frame why refrigerant containment is legally required.

The U.S. law that phases down HFC production and consumption because of high global warming potential. It matters for newer exam content on HFC management and lower-GWP refrigerant transitions.

A chlorofluorocarbon refrigerant family with high ozone depletion potential because it contains chlorine. R-12 is a classic example and is heavily restricted.

A hydrochlorofluorocarbon family with lower ODP than CFCs but still ozone-depleting. R-22 is the common EPA 608 example and has been phased out for new production in the U.S.

A hydrofluorocarbon family with zero ozone depletion potential because it contains no chlorine. HFCs can still have high GWP, so AIM Act phasedown rules are important.

A hydrofluoroolefin refrigerant family designed for very low GWP. HFOs and HFO blends appear in modern equipment and may introduce flammability considerations.

Ozone Depletion Potential measures how much a substance can damage stratospheric ozone compared with CFC-11. Lower ODP is better, and HFCs have an ODP of zero.

Global Warming Potential compares a gas's heat-trapping effect to carbon dioxide. EPA 608 candidates must distinguish climate impact from ozone depletion.

A refrigerant blend that behaves like a single substance with little or no temperature glide. It can usually be charged without the fractionation concerns of zeotropic blends.

A blend whose components boil at different temperatures, creating temperature glide. It is usually charged as a liquid to preserve the correct blend composition.

To remove refrigerant from a system and store it in an external container without necessarily testing or processing it. Recovery is required before opening or disposing of regulated equipment.

To clean recovered refrigerant for reuse by separating oil and removing moisture, acid, and particulates. Recycled refrigerant is generally reused by the same owner, not sold as reclaimed product.

To process used refrigerant to AHRI 700 purity standards and verify it by chemical analysis. Reclamation matters because used refrigerant must be reclaimed before resale to another owner.

Recovery cylinders must not be filled beyond 80% of liquid capacity. The vapor space allows thermal expansion and helps prevent dangerous hydrostatic pressure.

A refrigerant storage cylinder approved for transportation and marked with required pressure and certification information. Using proper cylinders prevents rupture and transportation violations.

Recovery that relies on the appliance compressor or system pressure to move refrigerant. It is most associated with Type I small appliances and has limits when compressors do not operate.

Recovery using equipment with its own compressor or transfer mechanism. It can pull refrigerant from systems that cannot move refrigerant effectively on their own.

A liquid recovery method that uses vapor pressure to push liquid refrigerant out of a system while recovery equipment pulls it into a cylinder. It speeds recovery on large high-pressure systems.

A low absolute pressure used to remove air and moisture after refrigerant recovery and repairs. It matters because moisture and non-condensables reduce efficiency and damage system components.

Small appliances that are factory-sealed, hermetically sealed, and contain 5 pounds or less of refrigerant. Examples include household refrigerators, window units, and dehumidifiers.

For a small appliance with an operating compressor, recover 90% of the charge or evacuate to 4 inches of mercury vacuum. The goal is to remove refrigerant before disposal or service.

For a small appliance with a nonworking compressor, recover 80% of the charge or evacuate to 4 inches of mercury vacuum. Less recovery is allowed because trapped refrigerant is harder to remove.

A short tube on a small appliance used for factory charging or service access. Type I work often uses a piercing or access valve on the process stub to recover refrigerant.

Refrigerant must be recovered before final disposal, or the disposer must obtain a signed statement that recovery was already performed. Documentation matters because disposal chains are audited.

High-pressure and very-high-pressure appliances, such as residential split systems, heat pumps, rooftop units, and commercial refrigeration. Type II does not cover small appliances or low-pressure chillers.

Comfort cooling appliances have a 10% annual leak rate trigger. Exceeding the trigger requires owner action such as repair, retrofit, retirement, or other compliant response.

Commercial refrigeration appliances have a 20% annual leak rate trigger. The exam tests the difference between comfort cooling, commercial refrigeration, and industrial process refrigeration.

Industrial process refrigeration has a 30% annual leak rate trigger. It is the highest of the common leak triggers because the equipment is complex and process-critical.

Compressor oil should not be changed when system pressure is above 5 psig. Higher pressure means refrigerant remains dissolved in the oil and could be released.

Air and other gases that do not condense in the system raise head pressure and reduce efficiency. Proper evacuation and leak prevention keep non-condensables out.

A device that removes moisture, acid, and particulates from refrigerant. It should commonly be replaced after opening a system because contaminants can harm the compressor and metering device.

Low-pressure appliances, typically large centrifugal chillers, that often operate below atmospheric pressure. Type III questions focus on vacuum operation, purge units, and water contamination.

Low-pressure systems manufactured after November 15, 1993 must generally be evacuated to 25 mm Hg absolute. Absolute pressure is critical because these systems operate in a vacuum.

After recovering a low-pressure chiller, bring it to atmospheric pressure before opening. This prevents air and moisture from being pulled into the system.

A device on low-pressure chillers that removes air and other non-condensables. It matters because low-pressure leaks pull air in rather than pushing refrigerant out.

A one-time pressure relief device used on low-pressure chillers, commonly set around 15 psig. It protects the vessel from overpressure but releases charge if activated.

Because the evaporator may be under vacuum, a tube leak can draw water into the refrigerant circuit. Water contamination causes acids, corrosion, sludge, and compressor damage.

Dry nitrogen is used to pressurize systems for leak checking after recovery. Oxygen or compressed air must not be used because it can create explosion and oxidation hazards.

Oxygen can react violently with refrigerant oil under pressure. This is why technicians use dry nitrogen, not oxygen, for pressure testing.

A refrigerant safety class with lower toxicity and lower flammability. A2L use is growing with low-GWP refrigerants, so technicians must follow charge limits, ventilation, and ignition-control practices.

Refrigerants are classified by toxicity and flammability, such as A1, A2L, A3, and B1. The label helps technicians anticipate ventilation, ignition, and exposure hazards.

Some refrigerants can decompose into toxic gases when exposed to flame or high heat. Technicians must avoid brazing or welding on charged systems and maintain ventilation.

Liquid refrigerant can rapidly freeze skin and eyes as it boils. Gloves and eye protection matter during charging, recovery, and hose connection work.

A Safety Data Sheet lists refrigerant hazards, PPE, first aid, storage, and emergency response information. It is a practical source for safe handling requirements.

Regulated refrigerants may generally be sold only to certified technicians or their authorized employers. This prevents untrained handling and supports EPA enforcement.

Technicians and owners must keep required records for recovery, disposal, leak repair, and refrigerant transactions. Documentation proves compliance when EPA or providers audit work.