EPA 608 Type II flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Comfort cooling leak threshold

For comfort-cooling appliances holding 50 lb or more of refrigerant, the leak rate that triggers mandatory repair is 10% of the charge per 12 months.

Commercial refrigeration threshold

Commercial refrigeration appliances holding 50 lb or more of charge must be repaired when the annualized leak rate exceeds 20% per 12 months.

Industrial process threshold

Industrial process refrigeration appliances holding 50 lb or more of charge have a 30% per 12 months leak-rate threshold before repair is required.

Chronic leaker definition

An appliance that leaks 125% or more of its applicable threshold within 12 months is chronically leaking and must be retrofitted or retired under a plan.

Leak repair deadline

Repairs must be completed within 30 days of leak discovery, extendable to 120 days only when industrial process refrigeration must be shut down to make the repair.

Verification test timing

After repair, an initial verification test is done within 30 days, and a follow-up verification test within 30 days after repair completion or return to normal operation.

Nitrogen pressure testing rule

Dry nitrogen is the only acceptable pressurizing gas for leak testing; oxygen or compressed air can explode when mixed with refrigerant oil, and pressure must stay within design limits.

Recovery cylinder 80% rule

A recovery cylinder must never be filled above 80% of its capacity by weight, because liquid expansion as temperature rises can otherwise rupture the cylinder.

R-410A cylinder rating

R-410A requires a recovery cylinder rated for at least 400 psig service pressure, such as DOT 4BA400 or 4BW400; standard R-22 cylinders are not acceptable.

Push-pull recovery method

Push-pull uses the pressure difference between the appliance and the recovery cylinder to move liquid refrigerant quickly from a large charge before vapor recovery finishes.

System-dependent recovery device

Recovery equipment with no compressor of its own that relies on the appliance's compressor and internal pressure to move refrigerant into the recovery cylinder.

No recovery as vacuum pump

Recovery machines are not built to pull a deep vacuum and can be damaged by doing so; a separate vacuum pump must be used for evacuation.

Type II appliance scope

Type II certification covers high-pressure and very high-pressure appliances using refrigerants such as R-22, R-134a, R-410A and R-502, but not small appliances or low-pressure chillers.

Recycling versus reclaiming

Recycling cleans recovered refrigerant on site with filters and oil separation for reuse; reclaiming reprocesses it to AHRI 700 purity and requires laboratory verification.

AHRI 700 standard

AHRI Standard 700 sets the purity specification for reclaimed refrigerant, which must be analyzed and certified to meet that specification before resale.

Recycled refrigerant ownership limit

Refrigerant that has only been recycled may be charged only into equipment owned by the same owner; reclaimed refrigerant may be used in any appliance.

Mixed refrigerant handling

Different refrigerants must never be combined in one recovery cylinder; an unknown mixture can only be sent for reclamation or destruction.

Reclaimer certification

Only EPA-certified reclaimers may reprocess used refrigerant, and recovery or recycling equipment must be certified by an approved organization to 40 CFR 82.158.

Off-spec refrigerant

Refrigerant containing excess moisture, acid, particulates, or non-condensables fails purity testing and must be reclaimed or destroyed rather than reused.

Deep vacuum target

A high-pressure system is evacuated to 500 microns or lower, with a micron gauge connected at the system rather than relying on manifold gauge readings.

Standing vacuum test

After evacuation the pump is isolated and the micron gauge watched; a vacuum that keeps rising indicates a leak or moisture still in the system.

Triple evacuation

Pull a vacuum, break it with dry nitrogen to 0 psig, and repeat three times to sweep moisture and non-condensables out of the refrigerant circuit.

Liquid charging blends

Zeotropic blends such as R-410A must be charged as liquid from the cylinder to prevent fractionation, and charging by weight is the most accurate method.

Subcooling charging check

On systems with a thermostatic expansion valve, charge is verified by measuring subcooling at the condenser outlet and comparing it with the manufacturer's target.

Superheat charging check

On fixed-orifice systems, charge is verified with superheat using the manufacturer's target-superheat chart based on indoor wet-bulb and outdoor dry-bulb temperature.

Compressor not a vacuum pump

A system compressor must never be used to evacuate; it cannot reach deep vacuum, may overheat, and can draw air in through leak points.

Section 608 venting ban

The Clean Air Act prohibits knowingly venting CFC and HCFC refrigerants during service, maintenance, or disposal, and HFC venting is similarly restricted under the AIM Act.

Recordkeeping requirement

Owners of appliances with 50 lb or more of charge must keep records of refrigerant added, leak inspections, repairs, and verification tests for at least three years.

Refrigerant flame decomposition

Refrigerant exposed to an open flame breaks down into toxic and corrosive gases such as hydrogen fluoride and hydrogen chloride, so circuits must be recovered before brazing.

Cylinder heating limit

Refrigerant cylinders must never be heated above 125°F; warm water is acceptable, but open flame or an uncontrolled heater that can overheat the shell is not.

Liquid refrigerant frostbite hazard

Liquid refrigerant boils at extremely low temperature and can cause frostbite and eye injury on contact, so gloves and eye protection are required.

Asphyxiation risk

Refrigerant vapor is heavier than air, collects in pits and basements, and displaces oxygen; confined spaces require ventilation or a refrigerant monitor before entry.