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EPA 608 Type 3 Practice Test (Low-Pressure)

Type III covers low-pressure appliances, mostly centrifugal chillers (40 CFR 82.161(a)(1)(iii)).

Few techs work on them, but the section is required for Universal. The questions are specific: how to pressurize for a leak test, why you heat the oil before draining it, and the 25 mm Hg absolute evacuation level (EPA test topics; 40 CFR 82.156). Try 10 free questions.

Free Type III practice test: 10 questions

Type III: 10 questions, instant feedback, and the rule each answer comes from.

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What does EPA Type 3 certification cover?

A low-pressure appliance uses a refrigerant with a liquid saturation pressure below 45 psia at 104 °F, such as R-11, R-123 or R-245fa (82.152). Type III lets you maintain, service, repair or dispose of them (82.161(a)(1)(iii)). The test is closed-book and proctored (Appendix D (a)).

Type 3 practice questions (free)

  1. For low-pressure appliances, does the 200 lb charge size change the required evacuation level?

    1. A Yes, under 200 lb only needs 0 psig
    2. B Yes, over 200 lb needs 10 in. Hg
    3. C Yes, over 200 lb needs 4 in. Hg
    4. D No. All low-pressure appliances go to 25 mm Hg absolute
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    D. No. All low-pressure appliances go to 25 mm Hg absolute

    The 200 lb split applies to medium- and high-pressure appliances, not low-pressure ones.

    Source: 40 CFR 82.156 Proper evacuation of refrigerant, § 82.156(a), Table 1

  2. Recovery equipment intended for low-pressure appliances must be certified to reach:

    1. A 5 psig
    2. B 25 mm Hg absolute
    3. C 0 inches of mercury vacuum
    4. D 15 inches of mercury vacuum
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    B. 25 mm Hg absolute

    Table 2 in 82.158 sets 25 mm Hg absolute for equipment used on low-pressure appliances.

    Source: 40 CFR 82.158 Standards for recovery and/or recycling equipment, § 82.158, Table 2

  3. For a repair that is not major and is not followed by evacuating to the atmosphere, a low-pressure appliance must be:

    1. A Pressurized to 10 psig
    2. B Opened right away
    3. C Pressurized to no higher than 0 psig before opening
    4. D Evacuated to 25 mm Hg absolute
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    C. Pressurized to no higher than 0 psig before opening

    For minor repairs on low-pressure equipment, bring the pressure up to (no higher than) 0 psig before opening.

    Source: 40 CFR 82.156 Proper evacuation of refrigerant, § 82.156(a)(1)(ii)

  4. If a low-pressure appliance's refrigerant boils at or below 85°F at atmospheric pressure, how may it be pressurized for a minor repair?

    1. A Only with compressed air
    2. B With oxygen
    3. C Not with methods such as nitrogen that need purging afterward
    4. D Only with nitrogen
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    C. Not with methods such as nitrogen that need purging afterward

    For these refrigerants, methods like nitrogen that need purging later are not allowed.

    Source: 40 CFR 82.156 Proper evacuation of refrigerant, § 82.156(a)(1)(ii)

  5. For which low-pressure refrigerant may nitrogen be used to bring the system up to atmospheric pressure, after heat has done what it can?

    1. A R-11
    2. B R-123
    3. C R-22
    4. D R-113
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    D. R-113

    EPA says methods that need later purging, such as nitrogen, can't be used except with appliances containing R-113.

    Source: EPA: Stationary Refrigeration Service Practice Requirements, Repairs that are not major

Leak testing low-pressure systems

Before opening, a low-pressure appliance must be at no more than 0 psig. For refrigerants that boil above 85 °F at atmospheric pressure, you raise the pressure with heat as far as possible, and you may use nitrogen only to bring it the rest of the way to atmospheric (82.156(a)). EPA's outline lists hot water or a heater such as Prevac for leak testing (EPA test topics).

Recovery and recharging on Type 3

EPA's Type III outline covers recovering liquid first and then vapor, charging vapor before liquid to avoid freezing the tubes, and circulating water through the tubes during evacuation (EPA test topics). The required evacuation level is 25 mm Hg absolute with any recovery equipment (82.156, Table 1).

Type 3 study guide

Read the Type III study guide. Going for Universal? Take the Universal practice test next, and don't skip Type II. Free EPA 608 practice test