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EPA 608 NEC 2023

EPA 608 Core Exam Practice Test 12

Free EPA 608 Core Exam Practice Test 12. 25 questions covering refrigerant cylinder transport, relief valve series installation, CFC recovery after 1995, disposable cylinders, CFC and HFC recovery requirements, ozone layer UV protection, ozone depleting substances, evaporator phase change, ternary blends, compound gauge measurements, mixing refrigerants, dehydration, vapor compression cooling, sight glass function, compressor oil types, CFC structure, global warming potential, purge units, DOT recovery cylinders, cylinder valve caps, cooling recovery cylinders, electronic leak detector sensitivity, UV health effects, HFC climate impact, and refrigerant terminology.

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The EPA 608 certification is required by law for any technician who purchases or handles refrigerants. It covers safe handling, leak detection, recovery, and environmental regulations.

Type I covers small appliances (≤5 lbs refrigerant), Type II covers high-pressure systems, Type III covers low-pressure systems, and Universal covers all three. Most HVAC technicians pursue Universal certification.

You must score at least 70% on each section of the exam. The Universal exam has four parts: core, Type I, Type II, and Type III.

Key facts for this test: Refrigerant cylinders must always be transported and stored in an upright (vertical) position with valves on top. Relief valves downstream of a nitrogen pressure regulator must be installed in parallel, never in series. After 1995, all CFCs used for servicing existing equipment in the USA must come from recovered or recycled stock — no new CFC production is permitted. Disposable cylinders are for virgin (new) refrigerant only — they must never be used as recovery cylinders.

25

Questions

45 min

Time

70%

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EPA 608 Core Exam Practice Test 12 — Question List

Question 1: The refrigerant cylinders always shipped in ……………. position with their valves on top.

Vertical
Horizontal

Question 2: The relief valves which are placed in the downstream line of nitrogen pressure regulator must not be installed in ………….

Series
Parallel

Question 3: After which year onwards the CFC refrigerant should come from recovery and recycling to service existing refrigeration systems in USA?

1995
1992
1997
1994

Question 4: Disposable cylinders are primarily used for ………….. refrigerant

Recovered
Recycled
Virgin
Fresh

Question 5: CFC and HFC both have which of the following in common?

They both have higher ODP
They both must be recovered before recycling or disposing the appliance
The both contain chlorine atom which destroys the ozone
Their normal boiling point is same.

Question 6: The ozone layer in the earth’s stratosphere protects the earth from ………..

UV radiation
Infrared radiation
Nuclear radiation
Poisoned gases

Question 7: Which of the following is not a ozone depleting substances (ODS)?

methyl chloroform
methyl oxide
halons
chlorofluorocarbon

Question 8: In refrigeration system low pressure liquid is converted into low pressure vapour in …….

Accumulator
Condenser
Metering device
Evaporator

Question 9: ……………. mixture is called as ternary refrigerant blend.

Two-part
Three-part
Five-part
Six-part

Question 10: A compound gauge connected to low side of the refrigeration system measures the pressure in ……

Psig and in.hg
Psig and microns
Microns
Psia

Question 11: Any two refrigerants should not be mixed because

It is impossible to reclaim any mixture
It is impossible recover the mixture in same container
They may explode
The mixture may lead to corrosive

Question 12: Removing water vapor from refrigeration system is called as ….

Condensation
Evaporation
dehydration
Expansion

Question 13: The cooling occurs in vapor compression cycle refrigeration system, when …..

The refrigerant changes from liquid to vapor
The refrigerant changes from vapor to liquid
The refrigerant pressure increases
The refrigerant temperature decreases

Question 14: What is the purpose of a sight glass installed in the liquid line of a refrigeration system?

To measure the refrigerant pressure in the liquid line
To show the state of the refrigerant (bubbles indicate low charge or restriction)
To separate liquid refrigerant from oil
To control the amount of refrigerant entering the evaporator

Question 15: Which compressor lubricating oil is typically used with CFC refrigerants such as R-12?

POE (polyolester) oil
Mineral oil
Alkylbenzene (AB) oil
PAG (polyalkylene glycol) oil

Question 16: Which elements does a CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) refrigerant contain?

Hydrogen, carbon, chlorine, and fluorine
Carbon, chlorine, and fluorine only — no hydrogen
Carbon, fluorine, and oxygen only
Hydrogen and fluorine only

Question 17: Which term describes refrigerant that has been cleaned and tested to meet AHRI Standard 700 purity and can be resold or used in a different owner's equipment?

Recovered refrigerant
Reclaimed refrigerant
Recycled refrigerant
Virgin refrigerant

Question 18: Recovery cylinders used for refrigerant must meet which DOT (Department of Transportation) cylinder specification?

DOT 3A or DOT 3AA
DOT 4BA or DOT 4BW
Any standard propane cylinder is acceptable
No specific DOT rating is required for refrigerant cylinders

Question 19: Why must the valve cap (protective cap) always be replaced on a refrigerant cylinder after each use?

Valve caps are optional — just a convenience
To protect the valve from damage and prevent accidental refrigerant release
The cap helps keep the refrigerant cold during storage
To identify that the cylinder has been used

Question 20: Why does cooling the recovery cylinder speed up the refrigerant recovery process?

Cooling makes the refrigerant molecules move faster into the cylinder
A cooler cylinder has lower internal pressure, creating a larger pressure difference and faster flow
Cooling the cylinder removes moisture from the refrigerant
A cold cylinder holds more refrigerant by weight than a warm cylinder

Question 21: Under EPA Section 608 regulations, what is the minimum sensitivity required for an electronic refrigerant leak detector used to verify repairs?

50 grams per year
5 grams per year
500 grams per year
0.5 grams per year

Question 22: Ozone depletion leads to increased ultraviolet (UV) radiation at Earth's surface. What health conditions are directly linked to increased UV-B exposure?

Lung cancer and cardiovascular disease
Skin cancer and cataracts
Diabetes and liver disease
Increased UV radiation has no health effects on humans

Question 23: HFC refrigerants (such as R-134a and R-410A) have zero ODP. Why are they still considered an environmental concern?

HFCs still contain chlorine, so they still damage the ozone layer
HFCs have a high GWP and contribute to climate change
HFCs are highly flammable at normal operating conditions
HFCs are no longer a concern now that the Montreal Protocol is in place

Question 24: CFC refrigerant production was completely phased out in the United States at the end of which year?

1987
1995
1992
2000

Question 25: Before adding refrigerant from an unknown or unlabeled cylinder to a system, a technician should use __________ to check what refrigerant is in the cylinder.

A manifold gauge set to check the pressure
A refrigerant identifier (analyzer)
A thermometer to check the boiling point
The label on the cylinder is always sufficient

Study Tip: The EPA 608 exam is closed book. Memorize: recovery is required before opening any refrigerant system. Venting refrigerant is illegal. Know the ODP and GWP values for R-22, R-410A, R-134a, R-32, and R-454B.

EXAM CARD EPA 608

Questions25

Time limit45 min

Pass score70%

RegulationEPA Section 608

DifficultyIntermediate

Last reviewedJun 2026

Timer starts immediately. Progress is auto-saved.

Source: EPA Section 608 (40 CFR Part 82)