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EPA 608 NEC 2023

EPA 608 Core Exam Practice Test 14

Free EPA 608 Core Exam Practice Test 14. 25 questions covering refrigerant electrical properties, passive recovery with nitrogen, condenser function, GWP comparison, HFC venting date, evaporator temperature requirements, discharge vs suction pressure, high discharge pressure causes, HFC leak testing frequency, mixed refrigerant reclamation, post-failure oil analysis, compressor burnout detection, evacuation hose sizing, recovery before service, cylinder storage rules, ASHRAE refrigerant numbering, R-410A composition, low-pressure system operation, oil dilution during off-cycle, short-cycling effects, liquid slugging damage, manifold gauge set use, nitrogen for leak testing, wrong oil consequences, and recovery level requirements.

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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 is a good electrical insulator, which is why it is safe to use in compressors with electric motors. Mixed refrigerants CANNOT be separated and reclaimed — they must be recovered into a separate cylinder and treated as contaminated. R-12 has the highest GWP among commonly tested refrigerants. HFCs became illegal to vent on November 15, 1995. The liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator must be colder than the surrounding air so it can absorb heat.

25

Questions

45 min

Time

70%

Pass

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EPA 608 Core Exam Practice Test 14 — Question List

Question 1: Refrigerant is a good ……………..

Insulator
Conductor
Semi conductor
Resistor

Question 2: If vacuum pump is used in passive recovery what should be introduced in system to increase the pressure and avoid moisture freezing?

Dry nitrogen
CFC refrigerant
Hydrogen
Carbon

Question 3: What is the main function condenser in the refrigeration system?

To store liquid refrigerant
To remove heat from refrigerant
To remove moisture from refrigerant
To add heat to the refrigerant

Question 4: Which of the following refrigerant has highest Global Warming Potential (GWP)?

R-12
R-134a
R - 22
R-152a

Question 5: Venting HFC’s since ………………… is violation of section 608 of federal clean air act.

July 1, 1992
November 14, 1994
November 15, 1995
August 16, 1990

Question 6: The temperature of the liquid refrigerant entering in the evaporator must be ………….. surrounding air.

Less than
More than
Equal to

Question 7: The high pressure gauge usually measures ………………… pressure

Discharge pressure
Suction pressure

Question 8: If the high pressure gauge reads unusual high pressure in the refrigeration system the probable cause is ……………..

Defective compressor
Insufficient refrigerant
Condenser fan motor failure
Expansion valve failure

Question 9: Systems containing 10 kg of HFC must be leak tested ………….

Annually
Twice a year
Thrice a year
Two years once

Question 10: The mixed refrigerants can be separated and reclaimed.

True
False

Question 11: If a refrigeration system had a major component failure

an oil sample should be taken and analyzed
immediately refrigerant should recovered
a refrigerant sample should be taken and analyzed
immediately system should be purged with dry nitrogen

Question 12: What is to be likely occurred in the refrigeration system when the strong odor is detected during the recovery process?

A compressor burnout
A condenser fan motor burnout
Expansion valve failure
Oil is mixed with refrigerant

Question 13: During evacuation of a system what is the benefit of using small length and large diameter gauge set hose?

reduces the pressure drop and reduces the evacuation time
reduces the pressure drop and increases the evacuation time
reduces the refrigerant leakage

Question 14: Before opening or removing any component from a refrigeration or A/C system, what must the technician do FIRST?

Vent the refrigerant to the atmosphere quickly
Recover all refrigerant from the system using approved recovery equipment
Turn off the system and wait for pressure to drop naturally
Add nitrogen to the system to dilute the refrigerant first

Question 15: What are the correct conditions for storing refrigerant cylinders?

Warm, humid storage helps maintain refrigerant quality
Cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from sunlight and heat sources
Cylinders can be stored anywhere as long as the valve cap is on
Store in direct sunlight to keep pressure consistent

Question 16: Under the ASHRAE refrigerant numbering system, what does a number in the 100 series (R-11, R-12, R-22, R-134a) indicate about the refrigerant's structure?

The refrigerant contains 100 atoms per molecule
The refrigerant is based on a methane molecule (one carbon backbone)
The refrigerant has an ODP of 1.0
The refrigerant is in the 100 psi pressure range at room temperature

Question 17: R-410A is a refrigerant blend. What two refrigerants make up R-410A?

R-22 (50%) and R-134a (50%)
R-32 (50%) and R-125 (50%)
R-12 (70%) and R-22 (30%)
R-134a (75%) and R-407C (25%)

Question 18: In a Type III (low-pressure) centrifugal chiller using R-123, the suction side of the system operates at __________ during normal operation.

Above atmospheric pressure, like all refrigeration systems
Below atmospheric pressure (in a vacuum)
Exactly at atmospheric pressure (0 psig)
At 150–200 psig like R-22 systems

Question 19: What happens to the compressor oil during an extended off-cycle (compressor not running)?

The oil circulates through the system and does not change
Refrigerant migrates into the oil in the crankcase, diluting it
The oil becomes more viscous and thick during the off-cycle
Oil migrates from the crankcase into the condenser

Question 20: What is "short-cycling" and why is it harmful to a compressor?

Short-cycling means the compressor runs continuously — this is efficient
Short-cycling is frequent on-off cycling that causes overheating and premature compressor wear
Short-cycling refers to using short refrigerant hoses — this has no harmful effect
Short-cycling only occurs in low-pressure systems

Question 21: What is liquid slugging, and what component is most likely to be damaged by it?

Liquid slugging is normal operation — it means the system is fully charged
Liquid slugging occurs when liquid refrigerant enters the compressor, damaging valves and mechanical parts
Liquid slugging refers to excess oil in the liquid line
Liquid slugging only occurs in Type III low-pressure systems

Question 22: To minimize refrigerant loss when disconnecting manifold gauge hoses, what type of fittings are required by EPA regulations?

Quick-connect fittings (no special requirements)
Low-loss fittings (self-sealing hose shutoff fittings)
Brass compression fittings
No special fittings are required by EPA

Question 23: What is "nitrogen trace" leak testing and when is it used?

Adding nitrogen gas to dilute the refrigerant in a charged system
Pressurizing the system with nitrogen to find leaks with soap bubbles
Using a nitrogen-sensitive electronic detector in the field
A method to purge moisture from refrigerant using nitrogen gas

Question 24: What happens if the wrong type of compressor oil is used in a refrigeration system?

Nothing — any oil works as long as the viscosity is correct
The compressor will be damaged and the warranty will be voided
The system will work fine but use slightly more energy
Only the refrigerant needs to be changed, not the oil

Question 25: What is the required refrigerant recovery level for a HIGH-pressure system manufactured AFTER November 15, 1993, with a refrigerant charge of 200 pounds OR MORE?

0 psig (atmospheric pressure)
15 in.Hg vacuum
10 in.Hg vacuum
4 in.Hg vacuum

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)