EPA 608 Certification Study Guide

Foreword

• All HVACR technicians must be certified under the EPA's refrigerant recovery and recycling program.
• Certification requires passing tests with multiple-choice questions.
• Certification types:
  • Core Section: Common to all certifications.
  • Certification Class I: For small appliances (<5 pounds refrigerant).
  • Certification Class II: For high-pressure units (>5 pounds).
  • Certification Class III: For low-pressure units including centrifugal chillers.
  • Certification Universal: Includes all three types.
• Most technicians need Class II certification.
• 70% passing rate required.

Core Section

• Covers environmental impact of refrigerants, ozone depletion, and EPA regulations.
• Ozone Depletion:
  • Chlorine from CFCs and HCFCs destroys ozone in the stratosphere.
  • Stratospheric ozone protects against UV radiation.
• Refrigerants:
  • CFCs: High ozone-depletion potential.
  • HCFCs: Moderate ozone-depletion potential.
  • HFCs: Low ozone-depletion potential.
• Clean Air Act:
  • Prohibits venting of refrigerants.
  • CFCs phased out by 1996.
  • Violation penalties up to $27,500 per day.

Safety

• Risks include oxygen deprivation, frostbite, and toxic exposure.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) required: gloves, goggles, SCBA in extreme cases.
• Never use compressed air or oxygen for leak detection due to explosion risk.

Refrigeration Basics

• States of Refrigerant:
  • Liquid and vapor states during the refrigeration cycle.
  • Use of pressure-temperature charts for diagnostics.
• Leak Detection:
  • Various methods including electronic detectors, soapy water, and dye.

Recovery, Recycling, and Reclaiming

• Recovery: Removing refrigerant from a system without processing.
• Recycling: Cleaning refrigerant for reuse.
• Reclaiming: Processing refrigerant to meet new product specifications.
• Avoid mixing refrigerants.

High-Pressure and Low-Pressure Systems

• High-Pressure:
  • Systems include split AC with >5 pounds refrigerant.
  • Leak test with nitrogen; repair leaks exceeding 15% annually.
• Low-Pressure:
  • Operate below atmospheric pressure, e.g., chillers.
  • Use controlled heating methods for leak testing.
  • Repair leaks exceeding 15% annually.

Equipment and Regulations

• Recovery Equipment:
  • Must be third-party certified post-November 1993.
  • Different standards for high and low-pressure systems.
• Shipping and Disposal:
  • Proper DOT tags required.
  • Recovery required before disposal.

Sample Questions

• Includes questions highlighting key concepts like ozone depletion, refrigerant properties, safety standards, and regulatory compliance.