EPA 608 Exam Flashcards

Q: What does EPA 608 certification allow a technician to do?

EPA 608 certification allows technicians to maintain, service, repair, or dispose of stationary appliances that could release regulated refrigerants. The type passed determines the equipment covered: Type I for small appliances, Type II for high-pressure appliances, Type III for low-pressure appliances, and Universal for all three.

Q: Does EPA 608 certification expire?

No. EPA Section 608 certification is a lifetime credential. Technicians still need to stay current because refrigerant rules, HFC phasedown requirements, and equipment standards change over time.

Q: What should I memorize for EPA 608?

Memorize the venting prohibition, refrigerant families, ODP and GWP concepts, recovery/recycle/reclaim definitions, small appliance recovery percentages, leak rate triggers, Type III vacuum rules, safety hazards, and the Core/Type I/II/III equipment distinctions.

Question 1

Section 608

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

Section 609

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

Venting prohibition

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

De minimis release

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 5

Montreal Protocol

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 6

AIM Act

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 7

CFC

Accepted Answer

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

Question 8

HCFC

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

HFC

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

HFO

Accepted Answer

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

Question 11

ODP

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

GWP

Accepted Answer

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

Question 13

Azeotropic blend

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 14

Zeotropic blend

Accepted Answer

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

Question 15

Recover

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 16

Recycle

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 17

Reclaim

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 18

Recovery cylinder fill limit

Accepted Answer

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

Question 19

DOT recovery cylinder

Accepted Answer

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

Question 20

System-dependent recovery

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 21

Self-contained recovery

Accepted Answer

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

Question 22

Push-pull recovery

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 23

Deep vacuum

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 24

Type I equipment

Accepted Answer

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

Question 25

Type I recovery: working compressor

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 26

Type I recovery: nonworking compressor

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 27

Process stub

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 28

Small appliance disposal

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 29

Type II equipment

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 30

Comfort cooling leak trigger

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 31

Commercial refrigeration leak trigger

Accepted Answer

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

Question 32

Industrial process refrigeration leak trigger

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 33

High-pressure oil change limit

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 34

Non-condensables

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 35

Filter-drier

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 36

Type III equipment

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 37

Type III evacuation level

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 38

Pressurizing before opening Type III

Accepted Answer

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

Question 39

Purge unit

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 40

Rupture disc

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 41

Tube leak in a low-pressure chiller

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 42

Nitrogen pressure test

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 43

Oxygen with refrigerant oil

Accepted Answer

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

Question 44

A2L refrigerant

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 45

ASHRAE safety classes

Accepted Answer

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

Question 46

Phosgene gas risk

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 47

Liquid refrigerant frostbite

Accepted Answer

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

Question 48

SDS

Accepted Answer

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

Question 49

Sales restriction

Accepted Answer

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

Question 50

Service records

Accepted Answer

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

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