Free Practice Questions for SA Refrigeration Trade Test
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Key Facts: SA Refrigeration Trade Test Exam
100
Practice Questions
OpenExamPrep
QCTO/NAMB
Trade-Test Authority
QCTO
SANS 10147
Refrigeration Standard
SABS
Competent/NYC
Assessment Outcome
NAMB
~3 years
Experience-Route Minimum
NAMB/DHET
2030
HCFC (R-22) Phase-Out
Montreal Protocol
The South Africa Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Mechanic trade test is a designated artisan qualification administered through the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB). It is a practical, competency-based assessment (judged Competent or Not Yet Competent) conducted over several days at an accredited trade-test centre and built on refrigeration trade theory. Eligibility is via a completed apprenticeship or learnership, or an N2 certificate with the relevant trade-theory subjects plus the required workplace experience (commonly around three years). Content spans the refrigeration cycle and thermodynamics, refrigerants and regulations (SANS 10147, the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment), compressors and components, electrical controls (SANS 10142-1), HVAC systems, charging and fault-finding, and safety. This free prep includes 100 research-based practice questions with explanations and an AI tutor.
Sample SA Refrigeration Trade Test Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the SA Refrigeration Trade Test exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1In the basic vapour-compression refrigeration cycle, which component absorbs heat from the conditioned space?
2What is the correct order of the four main components in a vapour-compression cycle, starting from the compressor?
3Superheat in a refrigeration system is best defined as:
4Subcooling is measured on which line of the system?
5Which South African standard is the code of practice for the design, installation and operation of refrigerating systems, including air-conditioning plants?
6Under South African law and SANS 10147, venting (releasing) refrigerant gas into the atmosphere is:
7A refrigeration gas practitioner working on systems in South Africa must be registered with which body?
8In the SAQCC Gas competency scheme, an ammonia (NH3) refrigeration specialist falls under which category?
9Which refrigerant is an HCFC scheduled for complete phase-out under the Montreal Protocol because of its ozone-depletion potential?
10The Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which South Africa ratified, specifically targets the phase-down of which group of substances?
About the SA Refrigeration Trade Test Exam
The Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Mechanic artisan trade test is a designated South African trade administered through the QCTO and NAMB. It is a practical, competency-based assessment built on refrigeration trade theory — the vapour-compression cycle, refrigerants and SANS 10147, components, electrical controls, HVAC systems, charging and fault-finding, and safety — and is conducted at accredited trade-test centres.
Exam sponsor: Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) / National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Assessment
Competency-based practical trade test (Competent / Not Yet Competent) over several days at an accredited centre, underpinned by refrigeration trade theory; this practice bank is 100 selected-response items
Time Limit
Typically several days at the trade-test centre
Passing Score
Competent / Not Yet Competent across all modules (no published percentage)
Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Refrigeration Cycle & Thermodynamics
Vapour-compression cycle, latent and sensible heat, superheat and subcooling, the p-h diagram, COP, and the ton of refrigeration
Refrigerants & Regulations
Refrigerant types and properties, ODP and GWP, the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment, SANS 10147 recovery rules, and the three Rs
Compressors & Components
Reciprocating/scroll/screw compressors, TXV and capillary metering, filter-driers, accumulators, receivers, oil separators, brazing and piping
Electrical Controls
Single/three-phase motors, capacitors and relays, contactors, thermostats, pressure cut-outs, defrost controls, Ohm's law, earthing and SANS 10142-1
HVAC Systems
Split and packaged units, heat pumps and reversing valves, psychrometrics, ductwork, water-cooled condensers and cooling towers
Charging & Fault-Finding
Evacuation, leak detection, charging by superheat and subcooling, diagnosing over/under-charge, restrictions, non-condensables and floodback
SANS Standards & Safety
SANS 10147 and SANS 10142-1, SAQCC Gas registration, the QCTO/NAMB framework, PPE, safe isolation and cylinder handling
Preparing for the SA Refrigeration Trade Test Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: Competent / Not Yet Competent across all modules (no published percentage)
- Assessment: Competency-based practical trade test (Competent / Not Yet Competent) over several days at an accredited centre, underpinned by refrigeration trade theory; this practice bank is 100 selected-response items
- Time limit: Typically several days at the trade-test centre
- Exam / certification fees: Trade-test fee varies by accredited trade-test centre Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
SA Refrigeration Trade Test: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
Who administers the South African refrigeration trade test?
The Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning Mechanic is a designated artisan trade administered through the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) and the National Artisan Moderation Body (NAMB). The practical trade test is conducted at accredited trade-test centres.
How many questions are on the refrigeration trade test?
The trade test is a practical, competency-based assessment and does not publish a fixed number of multiple-choice questions. It is judged Competent or Not Yet Competent across the practical modules, supported by refrigeration trade theory. Our free bank of 100 questions builds that theory knowledge.
What are the entry requirements for the refrigeration trade test?
Candidates typically complete an apprenticeship or learnership, or follow the experience route with an N2 certificate that includes the relevant trade-theory subjects plus the required workplace experience (commonly around three years). The test is then booked through an accredited trade-test centre.
Which standards does the refrigeration trade test cover?
Key South African standards are SANS 10147 (refrigeration systems and the authorised refrigeration gas practitioner requirement) and SANS 10142-1 (wiring of premises) for the electrical supply. Refrigerant handling also follows the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment, which South Africa has ratified.
Do I need to be registered with SAQCC Gas?
Yes. SANS 10147 requires people working on refrigeration systems to be registered as authorised refrigeration gas practitioners through SAQCC Gas, with competency categories (A operators, B technicians including ammonia and CO2 specialists, and C designers/inspectors).
Is this free refrigeration trade test practice as good as paid prep?
Our 100 practice questions cover the same trade-theory domains as the refrigeration syllabus — cycle, refrigerants, components, electrical controls, HVAC, charging, fault-finding and safety — with a teaching explanation for every answer plus a free daily AI tutor. All content is free forever and updated for 2026.