NVQ L4 Automobile AC Technician study plan

Map every hazard in a refrigerant-handling bay (asphyxiation, frostbite, high-pressure rupture, oil mist, ignition of A2L/A3 refrigerants) and state the control measure for each

Demonstrate donning and doffing of gloves, face shield and eye protection, and explain why liquid refrigerant contact causes instant cryogenic burns

Explain the legal and environmental duties for refrigerant containment, leakage reporting and safe disposal under the applicable F-gas/ODS framework in your jurisdiction, without quoting unverified figures

Set up and verify a calibrated electronic leak detector and an oxygen monitor before work, and record the pre-use checks

Produce a one-page risk assessment for a recovery-and-recharge job on a vehicle using R-1234yf

Identify refrigerant cylinder types, valve fittings and colour/identifier conventions, and explain why cylinder identification must never rely on colour alone

Perform liquid-vapour discrimination: decide when to recover as liquid versus vapour and justify the choice for a given system charge

Operate a recovery machine to pull a system down to the target residual pressure, and explain why the machine must never be used to evacuate a system to vacuum

Weigh a cylinder before and after recovery and reconcile the recovered mass against the recorded charge, explaining any shortfall

Describe safe cylinder filling limits, hydrostatic test/requalification intervals and correct storage segregation for flammable refrigerants

Distinguish recovery, recycling and reclamation by what each process removes and which standard governs the output

Explain why recycled refrigerant cannot be returned to a system owned by another party and when reclaimed refrigerant with documented analysis is required

Compare R-134a, R-1234yf and R-744 on GWP, flammability class, operating pressure and oil compatibility, and state one servicing consequence of each

List the additional controls required when servicing an A2L system: ignition-source exclusion, ventilation, leak detection and charge-size awareness

Explain why R-744 systems need different recovery equipment and pressure ratings than R-134a systems

Interpret a pressure-temperature chart to convert measured suction and discharge pressures into saturation temperatures and calculate superheat and subcooling

Diagnose undercharge, overcharge, restricted expansion device, weak compressor and condenser airflow fault from a pressure/temperature/sight-glass pattern

Perform a structured leak search: electronic detector sweep, UV dye and nitrogen pressure test, and explain the limits of each method

Carry out an evacuation to a held vacuum with a micron gauge, and explain why a rising vacuum indicates moisture or a leak

Charge by mass using scales and verify charge against manufacturer specification rather than gauge readings alone

Follow the correct sequence to isolate, recover, open, reseal and requalify a system during compressor or condenser replacement

Select and fit the correct O-ring and seal material for the refrigerant and lubricant in use, and explain the consequences of a wrong material choice

Torque fasteners to specification and explain why over-torquing flare and block fittings causes leaks

Inspect and flush or replace a receiver-drier or accumulator after system opening, and justify the decision

Verify oil quantity and viscosity after component replacement and record the adjustment made

Read a mobile AC wiring diagram and trace the compressor clutch, blower, pressure switch and relay circuits end to end

Measure voltage drop and current draw on the clutch and blower circuits and interpret the results against expected values

Test a pressure transducer and a thermistor, and distinguish a sensor fault from a wiring fault

Explain how the PCM/BCM controls compressor engagement, including cut-out conditions and CAN bus communication faults

Run a performance test: record vent temperature, ambient temperature, humidity and pressures, and compare against the expected performance envelope

Diagnose a cabin comfort complaint by separating airflow, temperature, humidity and air-quality causes

Inspect and test blend door actuators, mode doors and the cabin filter, and explain the effect of a stuck blend door on vent temperature

Explain the purpose of the evaporator drain and describe the symptoms and health implications of a blocked drain

Write a customer-facing explanation of a repair in plain language covering what failed, what was done and what the customer should watch for

Complete a job record that would satisfy an audit: refrigerant type and mass, recovered and charged amounts, leak test result and technician identification

Supervise a simulated job end to end: brief the task, allocate roles, check PPE and equipment, and sign off the work

Audit a peer's job record against the required fields and give two specific corrective actions

Explain the workshop's duty to train and monitor staff on refrigerant handling and to keep equipment calibration current

Re-test the two lowest-scoring domains from earlier weeks and close the identified gaps

Summarise the emerging technology changes likely to affect servicing practice and state how you will keep your knowledge current