Type I recovery requirements: EPA 608 Practice Questions

Using recovery equipment made after November 15, 1993, how much of a small appliance's charge must be recovered when the compressor runs?

With post-1993 equipment, recover 90% of the charge if the appliance compressor operates, or 80% if it does not. Evacuating to 4 in Hg vacuum is the alternative.

Using recovery equipment made after November 15, 1993, how much refrigerant must be recovered from a small appliance whose compressor does not run?

When the compressor is not operating, the requirement drops to 80% of the charge (or 4 in Hg vacuum).

Using recovery equipment made before November 15, 1993, how much of a small appliance's charge must be recovered?

Pre-1993 equipment must recover 80% of the charge regardless of compressor condition, or reach 4 in Hg vacuum.

Instead of meeting a percentage, to what level may a small appliance be evacuated to satisfy the recovery rule?

The rule allows evacuating a small appliance to 4 in Hg vacuum as an alternative to the 80% or 90% recovery levels.

Recovery equipment for small appliances made after November 15, 1993 must be certified to recover how much refrigerant in testing?

Equipment certified under Appendix C must show it recovers 90% when the test stand compressor runs and 80% when it does not.

May system-dependent (passive) recovery equipment be used on a small appliance?

System-dependent equipment is allowed on appliances with 15 lb or less, which includes every small appliance.

What makes recovery equipment system-dependent?

System-dependent equipment uses the appliance's own compressor, or the refrigerant's pressure, to move refrigerant into the container.

Recovery equipment for small appliances using a flammable refrigerant such as R-600a must meet which standards?

Small-appliance recovery equipment for flammable refrigerants must meet both AHRI 740-2016 and UL 1963 Supplement SB, which addresses flammable refrigerant safety.

Small-appliance recovery equipment made before November 15, 1993 may still be used if it can do what?

Older small-appliance equipment is treated as certified if it can recover 80% of the refrigerant or achieve a 4 in Hg vacuum.

Under 40 CFR 82.154, isobutane (R-600a) in a household refrigerator is an exempt substitute. What does that exemption mean?

R-600a in household refrigerators is listed as exempt from the venting prohibition. It is still flammable, so release it only where safe, and many shops and local rules still call for recovery.

A technician replaces the compressor in a refrigerator charged with R-134a. What must happen to the refrigerant?

R-134a is a non-exempt substitute, so it must be recovered to the small-appliance levels before the system is opened.

When recovering from a small appliance, which equipment must the technician use?

Anyone servicing an appliance must use recovery equipment certified for the refrigerant and appliance type being serviced.

A technician uses a recovery machine made in 2020 on a small appliance with a dead compressor. Which result meets the rule?

With modern equipment and a non-operating compressor, 80% recovery (or 4 in Hg vacuum) is required. 2 in Hg and 0 psig are not deep enough.

How can a technician confirm a recovery unit is certified for small-appliance work?

Certified equipment carries a durable label from the approved testing organization, showing the date of manufacture and serial number.